The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-16
The Battle OF Bennington at tho
Distance OF Hundred Years.


regrets that the commemorative ceremonies
to-day DO not take place on the actual battle
ground where General Stark and his brave
militia made name which can die only
when the American Revolution passes out Oh
the memory and records of the human race'
Until now all the local celebrations OF par
ticular battles have been held on the ground
which was the scene Of conflict. The Ben
nington centennial is the only exception
likely to occur, and nobody will be so
churlish as to carp ut the motives on
which the exception is founded. The battle
was fought within the limits of the State OF
New York but rs this celebration is dis
play of Vermont patriotism there would be
an incongruity in holding it outside of that
State Except for the accident of its having
been fought on her soil New York has no
title to claim any share in what is called the
Battle OF Bennington. A few New Workers
were present ON the field, but they were
tories fighting on the wrong side. The
patriot soldiers commanded by Stark were
in the main citizens Of his own State
of New Hampshire, reinforced by Green
Mountain Boys and hardy yeomen from
Western Massachusetts,. We are bound in
justice to say that New York can claim no
share Of the credit Of that memorable en-
gagement fought just inside her limits.
The fact that it was not fought on the soil
of Vermont is owing to the circumstance
that the patriots. instead of waiting for the
enemy, advanced to meet him. Considered
with reference to the forces engaged,
it was a new Hampshire victory, the
credit Of the initiation belonging to
that noble State, which supplied both
the commander and the main body OF the
troops. On the ground of what may be
called poetical justice New Hampshire has
but scanty share in these centennial COM
States evinced q more vigorous and devoted
patriotism, but rs none of the battle grounds
of the Revolution happened to fall within
her limits she is excluded from leading
part in the centennial commentators. So
far as the credit of any single battle
may be claimed as hers it is the
Battle of Bennington, which would never
have been fought if her Legislature had not
organized the movement which led to it
and her incompatible Stark had not been
put in command. The only flaw in New
Hampshire's title to the credit Of the Battle
of Bennington lies in the fact that it was
not fought on her soil and that she advanced
beyond. her own borders to meet the
enemy But the fact that the glory of
the brave Stark is her own undis-
puted possession will always compen-
safe her for the accident that none OF the
battle grounds of the Revolution happened
to be located within her territory. At
Bunker Hill Stark and his regiment did
better service than any other part of the
American troops; at Trenton Stark and his
command held the post Of honor, and Ben
nington, which is celebrated with so much
<clat to-day, was victory Of Stark and his
New Hampshire command. 1t is New
Hampshire rather than Vermont that has
reason to be proud of this days centennial,
although the whole credit of organizing the
celebration is due to the local patriotism Of
the Green Mountain State. All honor to
New Hampshire for planning the campaign
and achieving the victory; all honor to YER
mont for celebrating it in manner COM
mensurnte with it's lustre and importance!
When we come to the lesson which this
celebration teaches we fear that We may
tread on disputed ground, but the lesson is
nevertheless sufficiently clear. 1t is les
son which we hope President Hayes and the
members of his Cabinet present on this oc-
casion may not ignore. 1t is not merely
that the Americans who fought ut Benning-
ton were patriotic, and that their descendants
in this generation should emulate their self
sacrificing and devoted spirit. This is GER
tainly one Of the lessons and an important
lesson but it is one which needs no spe-
cial incubation. The history of our late
civil war proves that our people have not
degenerated in this respect, and that after
the lapse of century American citizens are
as prompt to respond to the call OF their
country as they were during the Revolu-
ton. The Battle Of Bennington, rightly
considered, teaches great deal more than the
mere duty of rallying to arms at the call of
a great public necessity. 1t is q shining
attestation of the value of local liberty and
the spontaneous patriotism of enforced COM
munities. Stark did not appear at Ben
nington in obedience to a requisition by the
Continental Congress. The Legislature of
New Hampshire organized his campaign in
the exercise of its independent judgment
and Stark, who felt that he had been
sliohted in the military appOintments of the
Continental Congress, declined the COM
mand offered him by his State un-
less he could be exempted from con-
troll by or obedience to Continental COM
manders. The Legislature of New Hamp-
shire gave him the command on his own
conditions, and thereby incurred the sharp
censurc of the Continental Congress. 1t
was owing to Stark's independence of SUI
perior control that the Battle of Benning-