Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-24

tains so large a population Of wealthy men.
These facts illustrate in a striking way the
wonderful resources of this coast The men
whose fortunes have been enumerated are
only 'middle-aged. 1t is more than prob
able that some of these or their heirs will be
Il richest men in the world
| farsOn Aliens Description Of the Battle of
Remington.
| Rev. Thomas Allen was the first settled
minister of Pittsiicd, Massachusetts,. lie
accompanied the Berkshire Company Of mill
tia to Bennington, and went with them into
the battle. 1t is related of him, that Just
| before the Massachusetts regiment made
their assault on the redoubt, he advanced
| before the line and in loud voice called on
the tories in Baum's ranks, to come away
| and not fight their brother Americans. The
| answer was volley Of bullets, whereupon
he called on his brother Joseph to give him
gun, saying " You load and | will fire,
and actually fired the first gun in the battle.
Being asked subsequently il he actually kill
ed any man at Bennington, he answered
| that he could not tell hut that seeing flash
from certain bush which was generally
followed by the fall of one of Stark's men, he
fired at the bush and put it out Ills account
OF the battle was originally published in
the Connecticut Cowdnf, August %, l77171,
and was as follows
Saturday, August lG, was a memorable
day, on account of a signal victory which
the militia, under the command of General
| Stark. obtained over body of the kings
troops, commanded by Gov. Skeene, some
account of which is here given by one who
was himself in the action. 1t seems that
Ten. Bnrgoyne had detached this corps.
consisting OF fifteen hundred men, chiefly
Waldeckers and Brunswickers. intermixed
| witq some British troops and tories-a
medly compound-to penetrate as far as
Bennington and farther, il it should he
found practicable, with view to increase
| the number of his friends, to dsperse his
projections" in the country, to procure for
his army provisions, and to wreak his wrath
and vengeance on those who had disregard
ed his calls of mercy and sighted with in
| dignity his profered protection. Gov.
Skeene had adyantageously posted this
corps within about five miles of Bennington
meeting house, where, in different places,
they made breastworks for their own secu-
ritv. This depression was of such ill ten
tency and sayored SO much of presump-
ton, that Gen. Stark, who was at this time
providentially at Bennington, with his bri-
gade of militia from New Hampshire State,
determined to give him battle. Col. Sim
| onds' regiment of militia in Berkshire
county was invited to his assistance, and
part of Col. Browns arrived seasonably to
attend on the action and some volunteers
from different towns; and Col. Warren,
with a part of his own regiment, joined him
the same day. The general. it seems, wisely
laid his plan of operation, and Divine Provl-
dencc blessing us with COED weather, be-
tween and O'Clock p. m, he attacked
them in front and flank in three or four differ
ent places at the same instant, with irresist-
ible impetuosity.
The action was extremely hot for between
one and two hours. The aanking divisions
had carried their point with great success
when the front pressed on to their breast
works with an ardor and patience be-
yond expectatlon. The blaze of the guns
Of the contending parties reached each
other. The fire was so extremely hot
and our men easily surinountlng their
breastworks amid peals Of thunder and
flashes Of lightning IRON their guns, with
out regarding the roar OF tier held-plcc
that the enemy at once deserted their Gov
er and ran and in about five minutes their
whole camp was in confusion and disorder.
All their battalions were broken in pieces
and fled most preciptately; at which instant
our whole army pressed after with redoubled
ardor pursued them Tor mile, made consid-
cradle slaughter among them and made many
prisoners. One field piece had already fallen
into our hands. At this point our men stop
ned the pursuit to gain breath when the enemy
being reinforced. our font fell back II few
rods for convenience of ground, and being dl-
rected and collected by Col. Rossitcr and re-
enforced by Major Stratton, renewed the
fight with rcdoublcd ardor, and fell in upon
them with great impetuOslty, put them to
confusion and flight, and pursued them about
mile, making many prisoners; Two OF
three more brass iield-pleeeS ietl INTO our
hands and are supposed to be the Whoie oil
what they brought with them. At tins time
darkness came upon us and prevented our
swa allowing up the whole OF this body The
enemy fled precipitately the succeeding night
toward the North river, and unless they
should be met by party of our army may
have reached there without further molesta-
ton Gov Skecnc in surprise and constcr-
nation took horse and fed. This action
which rebounds so much to the glory of the
great Lord of the heavens and God oil armies
affords the Americans lasting monument Of
the divine power and goodness, and n most
powerful argument of love to, and trust in
God
our loss is about forty or fifty killed and
more wounded. Their baggage fell into our
hands. The number Of prisoners taken is
said to he about six hundred. Two of their
colOncs were among the prisoners and NOR
tally wounded number of their inferior
officers have also fallen into our hands,
and in particular the generals aid-dc-camp.
A good number deserted and joined
us. This victory is thought by some to
equal any that has happened during
the present controversy, and as long as pru-
dencc, moderation, sobricty and yalor are of
any estimation among these United States
Will nOl lill 10 Cnucdr 'tcn- Oldih " lncIl-
Ii is the opinion of some that ii large body
of militia was now called to act in con june
ton with our northern army, the enemy
might he entirely ovcrthrown. May all be
concerned to give God the glory, whist We
commend the good conduct OF the officers
and soldiers in general on so important an
occasion. The best account Of the number
Of prisoners taken in the above action is as
follows:
Two colonies, lieutenant colonel, | ma
lor, captains, L. licutcnants, / ensigns, >
Canadian officers, one Judge advocate,
baron. , surgeons. 81 British and 30S Ter
man priyates, l7j tories; $50 besides
wounded, > brass four FOUNDERS, > brass
three poundcrs. medicine wagon and IA
quantity Of baggage.
The following is memorandum contained
in Mr.. Aliens pocket diary
Aug. ia memorable hattie fought hy
the militia near bennington.
One thousand ui the enemy Killed, wound
ed and taken prisoners.
Expended on NV tour To Bennington seven
| smllings and sixpcncc.
Expended for ammunition, nine shillngS
and slxpcncc.