The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-08-23
sMisrelLaneons.
STARK AND BENNING1O ON.


went into the Bennington enterprise on
his own hook; and the world knows the
result-the American world celebrated 1t
at Bennington, on the 10th, in person
and spirit. 1t is gratifying TO know that
theContinental Congress was not slow in
subsequently, making ample amends for
its neglect Of Molly Stark's husband.
The story of the British defeat at Ben
nington, and Stark's instrumentality in
securing it, is peculiarly appropriate,
After the evacuation of Ticonderoga, in
1777, and the advance of General Bur~
goyne from the north, at the head of a
powerful and we'll appointed army, all
the energies ofthe New England colo
nies we're summoned to the rescue. Bur-
goyne's troops were led by accomplished
and experienced officers; he had for
midable train of artillery, with all the
equipments necessary; and veteran corps
of the best troops of Britain and Germany
formed the greater part of his army. 1t
numbered ten thousand strong, and was
furnished by the Americanloyalists with
spies, scouts and rangers, and numer-
Gus army Of savages.
In this emergency New Hampshire was
called upon for aid against the invader
Tohn Langdon was at the time presiding
officer Of the Assembly, and upon the
receipt of he news from the north thus
addressed that body:
81 have So 600 in hard money my
plate will pledge for as much more. /
have seventy hogsheads Of Tobago rum,
which shall be sold for the most they will
bring. These are at the service ofthe
state, If we succeed | shall be remune>
rated; ifnot, they will be ofno use to me,
We can raise a brigade; and our friend
Stark, who so nobly sustained the honor
of our arms at Bunker's Hill, may safely
be entrusted with the command, and 'e
will check Blrgoyne."
The Legislature at once summoned
Stark from his retirement to lead their
troops to battle. Stark obeyed but
stipulated he should have a S parate com
mand, independent of the general army.
His conditions were accepted; the people
rallied to the standard Of their favonte
leader, and in few days he was at the
head of considerable force on the
frontier,
On arriving at Manchester where a
portion of his volunteers had been direct
ed to assemble, Colonel Stark noticed
the packs OF his men were paraded as
for march. Inquiring for the cause he
was told that General Lincoln had orr
dered them to march for the mouth OF
the Mohawk. He waited on Lincoln,
and informing him of the nature of his
command refused to comply with the
order. Had he submitted to the demand
of General Schuy Ter the campaign would
probably have terminated with the ruin
of the northern army and Burgoyne
would have reached Albany instead of
meeting his fate at Saratoga When ups
on the report Of General Schuyler, Con-
gress asinformed ofthese proceedings,
they adopted resolutions censunng New
Hampshire for the instructions given to
General Stark, and requesting that he
should be required to conform to the
rules of the service governing the Volun'
teers and militia in the field. This action
took place Oh the 10TH Of August three
days after the victory at Bennington.
General Stark, joined by the Green
Mountain Boys, who chose to march un-
der his banner. was soon encamped at
Bennington On the 18th OF August
he was informed by messenger from
Cambridge, twelve miles northwest OF
Bennington, that a party OF Indians was
approaching in that direction, and dur
ing the night an express arrived inform
ing him of the advance of a portion OF
Burgoyne's army, under the command
of Colonel Baum with train ofartilIery:
On the morning of the I4th, General
Stark, with all his disposable force,
marched out to meet the enemy, AT the
distance of four or FIVE miles he met Col
Gregg, who had been despatched the
preceding day with two hundred men to
intercept the Indians, in full retreat be-
fore large body Of Germans, who were
advancing in the rear of the Indians
and were now within mile of the Anne
erican lines. General Stark ordered a
halt, and drew up his men in order ot
battle, on perceiving which the enemy
halted, on advantageous ground, and
threw up entertainments, On the follow
ing day Stark made his disposition fol
attacking Baum, by sending out flank
ing parties to the right and left, to meet
in rear ofthe enemy, and commence the
attack while he should engage the main
body in front. A violent rain setting in
prevented any movement during the day
During the night further reinforcement;
were received. Among them was a
clergyman from Berkshire, Mass, who
appeared to be the temporal as well a:
spiritual leader of his people. On reach
ing the Generals quarters he addressed
him in the following terms, "We, the
people of Berkshire, have often beer
called on to fight, but have never beer
permitted. We have now resolved, i
YOU will not let us fight, never to turr
out again." The General asked him j
he desired to go to battle at once, while i
ralned and was dark, 'Ohi no wen
then" said Stark, "if the Lord give III
sunshine again, and do not give yol
fighting enough, will never ask you t(
come again"
On the morning of the 10th of Angus
General Stark moved to execute the plar
of attack which had been concerted fol
the day before. Every order was exc
cuted with precision. The Aankin{
parties closed in the rear of enemy, per
ceiving which the Indians took to flight
while Stark was hotly engaged in front
The action Immediately became general
at lasted, says Stark, two hours, anc
was the hottest ever saw. 1t was like
one continued clap of thunder" The
Tories were driven before the Greer
Mountain Boys and the Germans were
forced from their breastworks, and al