The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-08-18
THE BENNINGTON Fight.
Celebrating the Centennial OF
Stark's Victory Over
Baum'S HesSians.
THE RATTLE WHICH, WITH oRrs.
KANx, TURNED THE TIDE OF
BRrTIsH SUCCESS.

celebrated on the loeni was NOT IOugnt AZ
Bennington nor 10 Vermont, but about
seven miles away in Hoosic, Rensselaer,
county, and nearly two miles within the
New York line. Only one fight took place
during the revelation on Vermont soil
the engagement between the rear-guard
Of st. Glars army under Colonel Seth
Warner, and the advance of Burgoyne's.
1t was fought at Hubbardton, the Amer
leans, who were retreating from Ticonder-
oga, being badly handled. This defeat
encouraged the Berkshire tories, who in
large numbers set out to join the ..royalist
forces, aud proportionately depressed the
Americans, whose prospects seemed very
gloomy. Burgoyne was marching brilliant
ly down from Canada to the Hudson, there
to form junction with Sir Henry Clinton,
and so cut off New Bngland. 1t was to be,
said Baron Riedesel, the last campaign of
the war, and but for Stark's gallant fight
ing at Bennington and Herkimer's check
administered to st. Leger, at Oriskany, it
is hard to say what might have been the
result
John Stark, at this time, forty-nine
years of age, had acquired a good reputa-
ton as a soldier in the French war and the
early battles Of the revolution. notably at
Bunker Hill, where his First New Hamp-
shire wrought such fearful slaughter 10 the
Welsh Fusileers, crack English regiment,
Of whose 700 men only SO answered to roll
call next day. In the spring of 1777,
however, his name was by Congress drop
ped from the list of colonels recommended
for promotion, and he Indignantly resigned,
nor would he take up arms again till the
fall of Ticonderogo and the exposed con-
dition of the Vermont settlements appeal
ed to his patriotism. New Hampshire
raised two brigades, and he accepted the
command Of one. with a commission as
Brigadier, which empowered him to act
independently of the main army at his will.
His force was rapidly organized and drilled,
but when Stark arrived with it at Man
chester he found Lincoln, under Schuyler s
orders, waiting TO march the men to the
Mohawk River Stark refused under
his independent commission to let
them go, though he offered to
cooperate whenever Bennington was safe
Meanwhile rumors were rife that Burgoyue
intended raid upon Bennington to secure
the stores lodged there. Stark therefore
on the Sth of August, marched thithel
from Manchester with 900 men, not all his
N, Oh ha I'd tr
position better adapted for attack, on the
WaloOmsack, where next day he was ad
vised of the presence OF $50 Indians al
Cambridge, n Y, twelve miles distant
Lieutenant Colonel Gregg, with 200 men,
was sent against them, but almost i'm
medately after came tidiugs that The
Indians only formed the advance guard o
column under Baum, aud Governo
Skeue pushed forward to strike Benning
ton. Stark moved forward on the l4tl
and found Gregg retiring before superio
forces, which avoided the encounter STAR
endeavared to provoke, and he retreated
slight distance to await in position th
coming up of his reinforcements. 1t raine,
heavily all day on the 18th, during whicI
time Baum was intrenching himself on tn
Walloomsack Greek at spot where tw
slight elevations and six or eight log house
in a clearing at small bridge offered
favorable position for defense. Stark
scouts hndered them considerably 10 thi
work, and by night of the 18th had kille
some thirty Of them without the loss of
man. Al midnight Baum received assul
ances OF aid under Breymen by noon. A
the same hour the Berkshire militi
reached Stark and their fighting parson,
Allen, addressing him, said: I'VE, tn
people of Berkshire, have been frequentl
called upon to fight, but have never bee
led against the enemy, We are now re
solved, il you will not let us fight, never /
turn out again" General Star
asked IF he wished 10 march ther
when it was dark and rainy?" "No,
was the answer, mot just this minute.
Then" continued Stark, IF the Lor
once more give US sunshine, and do NJ
give you fighting enough, | will never as
you to come again." This same parsoI
il is only proper to say, helped largely
the fighting. He delivered In the mornin
a powerful prayer from a pyramid {
drums, aud as his regiment marched pas
the!Iory earthworks called to such of ther
as he recognized to come out from anon
the enemies of their country" The
answer to his audaciOus harangue bein
several bullets, the man of God borrowe
the nusket of his brother, LieutenaT
Joseph Allen, and fired the first shot
the battle from the American ranks. e
was asked after the battle il he had kile
any one in it, and replied that be did NJ
know, but guessed he did" He noticed
frequent flash from a certain bush, ofte
followed by the fail Of one of his comrade
He fired at that fash and put it out!
Meanwhile the day of the 10th had dawI
ed, calm and clear Stark had all II
weapons Of his command cleaned and drie
and ratiors served. He had under h
command eight incomplete regiments,
about l,750 men, of whom about l,OC
came from New Hampshire, Vermont so
and Massachusetts, berkshire county, Il
rest Only Colonel Herrick's Gree
Mountain Rangers had any distinctive IN
forms-irocks with green faciDgs. Bau
had 200 Tories under Peters, 100 Cam
dian rangers, 100 braser's marksmen,
Chasseurs, $40 of Riedesels Hessiar
Idismounted dragoons) aud $50 Indians
In all about 1000 men. The Tories an
some Hessians held the small hill, til
Canadians were placed in the log house
some Hessians in the breastwork west
the bridge, the Chasseurs at the east d,
cllVity OF the main hill and the remaindC
OF the desslans in the redOubt, with Ii
Indians scouting in the forest around it.
At noon Stark massed his men and frol
lofty fence delivered his memorable ha
aDgue: My men, yonder are the He
SLAMS. They were bought for ct 10 pen,
man. Are you worth morel Prove
Tonight the American flag floats ov
yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps widow
Leaving their baggage and coats und
guard the forces separatad. Herriok a,