Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-24

SenC Il 1OrCC OF ZUU men, unuof command
of Lieut.-Col. Gregg, to attack them
and on the same day the Council of
Safety, being apprised of Baum's ap-
proach, issued an urgent appeal to the
Colonels Of the State militia to rally
their men, at once to Bennington.
Meanwhile, Baum's expedition was
on the march On the evening Of the
18th it was joined by fifty chasseurs,
sent forward by Burgoyne as a rein
forcement; on the 18th reached Cam
bridge, capturing cattle and supplies,
and taking the guard prisoners, and on
the 14th it reached Van Shaik's mill
finding there Col. Gregg's forces, which
retreated. At Cambridge Baum first
learned of the formidable force assem-
bled at Bennington to contest his ad-
vance, and in response to bis represen-
tations on this point Burgoyne, on the
18th, started out large force, consisting
OF company OF yagers and battalion
OF chasseurs and granadieYs, under Col
Breyman, to support the expedition.
On the 18th Stark started out from
Bennington with all the forces at his
command, first sending word to Man
chester to bring up the Warner regi-
ment. Five miles from Bennington he
met Col. Gregg retreating before Baum
and Immediately drew up his forces in
line of battle, expecting an attack Baum
however preferred to act on the defcn-
sive, and hating his troops on the
heights of the Walloomsac, devoted the
whole of the next day, which was rainy
to strengthening his defenses. This work
he continued late into the night, and.
feeling anxiety as to the result Of the
morrow S engagement, he sent word to
Breyman to hurry up his force The
Americans, meanwhile, were making
their plans for the attack
Early in the morning of the 10Th re-
enforcement arrived, consisting Of mill
tia from Berkshire county, led by Col.
Simonds, and containing in its ranks
Rev. Thomas Allen, the fighting parson
from Pittsfeld Stark's FORCES on the
18th comprised altogether about 1900
men. Three hundred men, led by Col.
Nichols, were detailed to take a wide
circuit through the woods northward of
the British redoubt and gain position
at the rear of their left, Three hundred
men, led by Col Herrick, were detailed
to make similar circuit southwark and
gain a position in the rear Of Baum 5
right-the two divisions to join and
commence the attack. TO divert atten-
ton from these movements the main
body Of the American force took up po-
sition in front of the Tory and British
breastworks Knowing well every inch
Of ! ha bo oh l.,
and Herrick had no trouble in carrying
out their part Of the plan; and they
reached the rear of the enemy, while
Stark, " to amuse the Germans as he
said, marched a portion of his force
round and round a circular hill, thereby
giving an exaggerated impression of their
numbers. At ) clock reports of rifle
shots were heard from the rear of the
British, showing that Nichols and Her
rick had got to work and Immediately
Gen. Stark pointing first to the breast
works and exclaiming; My men, those
are your enemies, the red-cOats and the
Tories; we must conquer them or to-
night Mollie Stark will be a widow, .
gave the word to advance, and his men
dashed across the Walloomsac and up
the hill.
Herrick's force had driven in the In
dians from the rear in wild confusion,
and the vigorous attack in the front
gave the British the impression that
they were surrounded. The Indians soon
skunk away in spite Of Baum remon-
strances, bat his own men fought with
courage and pluck, hoping constantly for
reinforcements from Brcyman. But at
length the tumbril, that contained their
spare ammunition, ignited and blew up.
and the Americans Immediately dashed
over the parapet and engaged in hand
to-hand encounter, fighting with rifle
butt, sabre and bayonet. Baums for
ces wavered and gave way; Baum him
self was mortally wounded, and all the
forces were taken prisoners, except a
detachment of about thirty. which broke
through the American ranks and fed in
to the forest. The Americans in this
encounter fought with desperate valor
hardly to be expected in unframed yeo-
manry, advancing within few PAGES OF
the loaded cannon, in order to get a more
deliberate aim at the artillcrists.
After the victory the Americans were
scattered over the field, d,-some of them
plundering the enemys camp, and some
in charge Of prisoners on the way to
Bennington. just at this juncture. Col.
Breyman's large and fresh force, whose
arrival Baum had so anxiously waited
for, appeared in sight. Breyman had not
learned of Baum defeat, but had come
up in response to his call for help. The
American ranks were in great confusion
and were with great difficulty mustered
into line of battle Gen. Stark was con
templating retreat, and his men were
beginning to yield ground before the en-
emy. when word came that Col. War
ner's regiment, numbering. 130 men, was
near. The regiment had marched all the
day before and half the night, and reach
ing Bennington little after noon, start
ed at once for the battlefield The ar
rival of Warner force inspired the
Americans with fresh courage But
Breyman attacked with such vigor, and
used his cannon with such effect that at
one time the battle seemed to be lost for
the patriots. Breyman ammunition,
however. gave out, and his cannon ceas-
ed firing Then the Americans made a
fresh attack, and the enemy retreated
leaving behind their dead and many of
their wounded. Stark pursued them as
far as Sancoik Mill, and then withdrew
his men on account of the darkness
The British loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners was OIL, while the Americans
lost only thirty killed and forty wound
ed. The British lost also four brass
field pieces, with ammunition wagons,
200 stands of arms, and other military
accoutrements.
This is, in brief, the story of the battle
which is to be commemorated at Ben
nington with song and speech and many
joyous demonstrations this week. The
deed was one in every way worthy the
pomp and display which will attend the
celebration of the one hundredth ami
versary. Although the Americans out
numbered the British and had the ad-
vantage of meeting the two forces op-
posed to them singly and beating them
in detail, it is not to be forgotten that
they were unframed yeomanry, and the
enemy in their discipline, in their equip
ment, and in their position enjoyed su-
perior advantages. This was the first
time that the patriots had stormed in
trenchments in the face of cannon and
musket fire. The exploit gave them CON
tidence in their own powers and resour-
ces, and inspired with fresh courage the
Americans everywhere who had been
made dnsnondent hv their rayerses If