Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-23
BRATTLEBORO, VT, FRIDAY MARCH 23, 1877.

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tion, and the ground occupied by Stark be-
ing unfavorable for general attack, he
fell back about a mile and encamped. His
encampment was in the northwest part OF
Bennington, on the farm formerly owned
by Paul NJ. Henry, on the bill upon which
a new dwelling has lately been erected by
Lewis Norlhouse, the present proprietor.
The Walloomsac river Is a branch of the
Hoosick, fordable in most places, having
in general westerly course, but which af-
Ter passing Stark's encampment runs in a
northern direction for half mile, then
westerly for a mile and half, where 1t
turns suddenly to the south and pursues
that course for three quarters Of a milo or
more. Here, on the west side of the river,
Baume halted and made his arrangements
for defense. On the top Of thickly wood
ed hill which rises abruptly three or fur
hundred feet from the west bank of the
stream, he posted the greater part of his
Germans, under his own immediate COM
mand. The position was west of the sud-
den bend in the stream, and Baume's front
10 the east was well secured against an at
tack by the precipitous ascent of the hill
on that side, which impractcable ascent
extended from his camp for half mile
along the bank of the river to the bridge al
the southern foot Of the hill, over which
the road from Bennington to Slncoick and
Cambridge, passed. On the top of this
hill, Bsume prepared entertainments of
earth and logs TO resist attacks from the
west and on his flanks.
For the defense Of the important pass at
the bridge Baume caused a strong breast
work TO be thrown up on the high bank OF
the river, on which was mounted one of
his cannons, in charge Of body Of Ger
man grenadiers. Two small breastworks
were also erected on opposite sides Of The
road, near the west end of the bridge, which
were manned by Frazer's marksmen and
the position was still further strengthened
by posting all the Canadians in log huts
which were standing near the bridge on
both sides ofihe river. This point is where
the river is now crossed by the covered
railroad bridge, about three miles from
North Bennington on the route TO Troy.
Baume on his way from the Hudson and
at his encampment had been joined by a con-
siderable number of tories, many Of them
under the lead of Col. Francis PGster,
half pay British officer of wealth aud ex-
tensive influence, who occupied an mpos-
ing residence erected by him on the west
bank Of the Hoosick, near what is now
known as Hoosick Corners. These, with
most OF Peters corps OF loyalists, were
posted on hill eat Of the stream, 40 or so
rods TO the southeatt OF the bridge. Here
strong works of defense were erected,
known as the "Tory Breast Works." and
of which Col. Pfister is understood to have
been placed in command. On its right was
a sh arp favine and both fanks would have
the protection Of ball and grape from the
can non at the bridge. The Cther cannon,
in charge of German grenadiers, supported |
by some Tories, appears To have been
placed fuitber To the west IN a cleared field |
near the road. 1t was on hill side which |
over looked and commanded the approaches |
to The bridge and 10 the Tory encampmeni,
and also the south flank of Bsume's en-
campmsnt. 1t may have been moved
nearer TO Baume's position during the en-
gagement. THE sewers al positions of Baume's |
forces are shown by the plan in Burgoyues |
account Of the expedition, Of which a copy |
on reduced scale is given in the Memori- |
ais Of century, by the Rev. Isaac Jen-
nings, and another still smaller is found in |
Lossing's field book Of the revolution. The |
top of The mapis west, and upon il the To- |
ries are designated as "Amercan Vulun- |
teers," the British maTksmen as "Rang- |
ers," the Americans as Bodies Of the En- |
emy." All others, except the Canadians" |
are Germans, the "Chassuies," being Ger |
man marksmen. On Burgoyne's map the |
WalloOmsac is called the Hoosick. The |
Of the two hostile bodies, |
though little more than two miles apart, |
were entirely hid from the sight of each |
other by heavily wooded intervening hill. |
The force under General Stark was COM |
posed of the greater part of his brigade of |
New Hampshire militia, a small number |
of Vermont militia from the cast side of |
the mountain, under Col. William Will |
liams, who had been stationed al Manches- |
ter, Col. Herrick's corps OF rangers then |
forming, the Stale militia from Benning- |
ton and its vicinity, under Col. Nathan
Brush, and on the morning of the 10th |
Stark was joined by Col. Simonds and |
some militia from Berkshire county. His |
whole force might have numbered about |
!, 900.
On the night of the 14th, after ascertain |
ing the position of the enemy, Stark called |
a council con sisting Of the leading mem |
bers Of the Council of Safety as well as of |
Col onels Warner and Herrck and other |
military officers, in which plan for at
lacking the enemy was discussed and |
adopted, and il was agreed that the attack |
should bo made the next morning; but |
the 18th was so excessively rainy as to pre-
vent any attempt at a general action. |
Scouts were however sent out, some of |
which were engaged in successful skir- |
mlshes.
THE BATTLE.
The morning of the 10th was bright and |
clear, and Stark prepared for The attack in
accordance with the plan previously agreed |
upon. Col. Nichols, with two hundred of |
the New Hampshire troops, 10 whom re-
enforcement of one hundred was afterward |
added, was detached to make a wide cir |
cult TO the north OF Baum's post aud come |
round upon the rear of his len, and Col. |
Herrick with 800 men, composed of his |
rangers and Col. Brush's militia, was to
make like wide southern circuit to the |
rear of his right, the two parties TO meet |
and make joint attack upon his entrench-
meDts. Coils. Hubbard and Stickney, with |
800 men of Stark's brigade, were ordered |
10 the enemy's extreme right. While these |
three detachments were gaining their as
signed positions, the enemy was amused
by a threatened attack on their front. |
A bout three o'clock In the afternoon firing |