Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-08-23


cans were massed to receive orders;
the locality was large field. the
entrance to which was by sliding
bars and tall posts peculiar to the
vicinity. Stark leaped to the top
most rail, steadied himself by the
tall post, and harrangued his troops
in the we'll known sentences: "Now,
my men, yonder are the Hessians;
/ they were bought for seven pounds
ten pence a man. Are you worth
more? Prove it. Tonight the
American flag floats over yonder hill,
or Molly Stark sleeps widow"
Throwing knapsacks, jackets, and all
baggage in heaps, and placing u
guard over them, the force started.
Colonel Herrick's Rangers, with the
Bennington militia, 300 strong, were
sent to make detour to Baum's
right; Colonel Nichols, with $50 men,
was sent to the rear OF the enemy's
left-the two forces, when joined, to
make an attack; 300 men under
Colonel Stickney and Colonel Ho-
bart, including part of the Berk-
shire militia, were sent against the
Tory works, with objections to keep
concealed in corn field near by and
await the opening of the action at
Baum's hill. Foreseeing that there
would be close work with the Tories,
who were in citizens dress. like his
own force, Stark gave directions to
the attacking party that a corn husk
in the hat band should be the badge
Of his own men. A guard under
sergeant was posted near the bridge
to prevent communication between
the two wings of the enemy during
the movements Of the thanking par
ties, and the disposal OF the forces
was complete. Ho le
As cover to his designs. Stark
now moved forward his reserve, and
employed the time in marching
slowly around Il hill in full view of
the enemy. This seemed to perplex
Baum, as his servant. Henry Archie
laus. afterward said, He scanned the
movement with field glass, and di
rected his artillery men to fire on
the column" This cannonade did
no great harm, and tho ruse was con-
tinued, with variety OF movements,
for nearly three hours At length,
about three O'Clock the hanking par
ties had reached their coveted posi-
tion and communi sated with each
other. Nichols was the first to open
fire. rhe Indians retired before the
advancing line, and, pnnic-struck,
fled to the redoubt, reporting that the
forest was full OF Yankees. Seeing
the columns closing with atigh;ening
coil around the bill, the sayages
dashed through the opening between
the two detachments in single file,
and, yelling like demons, made
their escape, leaving a few OF their
number dead or prisoners. As the
line pressed up TO musket range,
Baum opened a fire OF small arms,
and broughtone OF the cannons for
ward to the angle left exposed to the
flight OF his savage allies. The. ac-
ton became hot on both sides, but
the assaiIants being sheltered by
trees and brush, received little inju-
|rys from the Hesslan fire. delivered
brenst-high, without aim. New de-
veloplnents anil attacks now rapidly
ensued in every quarter;g the dis
charge OF musketry Was rapid. con
tinuous, and obstinately maintained
for nearly an hour, when an explo-
sion occurred in the redoubt that
shook the hill.by its violence, send
ing binding smoke and flying frag-
fnents among the combatahts. kp-
palled at The. detonation, there was a
momentary lull among both parties.
The tnmbril or ammunition. cart, OF
the Hessians had exploded. Com
pretending instantly the accident,
the Americans, with cheer along
the whole line. madea dash for the
parapet. No troops could withstand
such tide; ii poured in at every
angle with an impetuosity that de-
fled resistances. eH9M TOT I'D I
\ .Muskets dubbed were opposed to
bayofets; sabre and pike 'cahis into
full play. Baum was driven back.
unable to lse bis artillery, and all
discipline in both forces seemed lost.
lexcept where the German cohman-t
der and few sturdy Hessians
charged with sabre when unable TO
load muskets. >lPart Of, Frhser's
.marksmen rushed over the parapet /
and leaving a 0few or their humber
dead and wounded, escaped. Baum
was mortally' wounded BY a shot, and
the force around him. panic-struck,
fled down the hill to tho south. where
Stark's forces were advancing to
meet him.
The action on tire plain, below with
the Tories under Pfister a and the
Canadians in the log houses, was but
the saguinary counterpart of the
scene at, the redoubt. At the first
discharge form Nichols column the
concealed troops rushed through the
corn, receiving three volleys, which
they did not deign to return until
they emerged from their cover upon
4 a field of flax at the foot Of the
breastwork. Here girdled decayed
trees gave them partial shelter, and
| behind these some Of the men placed