The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-13

however waited for the approach OF
the enemy, and commenced firing rs
they came up; but, owing as think, TO
the untayorable nature of the ground,
we soon began a retreat, which was
continued slowly and in good order,
firing constantly, for about three-quar-
tiers mile, until we reached the high
ground west Of the run of water,
where we made stand The enemy
had two pieces of cannon in the road,
aud their line extended considerable
distance, both below and above the
road. A party of Hessians undertook
to outfank us on the right, and partial
ly succeeded, but were finally repulsed
and driven back. The action was
warm and close for nearly two hours,
when, it being near dark, the enemy
Were forced TO retreat. One of their
pieces of cannon was taken near the
run, and the other few rods below
the brick factory"
{ A German account Of the battle, by
Glitch, who was in tile engagement !;
The morning Of the 18th was beauti-
fully serene. All was perfectly quiet
at the outposts, not ali enemy having
been seen, not an alarming sound heard
tor several hours previous to sunrise.
So peaceable, indeeol,ywas the asp ect
which fIhatters bore that our leader
felt warmly disposed to assume the OF
fensive, without waiting for the arrival
of the additional corps, for which he
had applied. Orders were issued for
the men to eat their breakfast, prepar-
atory to more active operations. But
the arms We're scarcely piled, and the
haversacks unstrung, when symptoms
OF state of affairs different from that
which had been anticipated, began to
show themselves, and onr people were
recalled to their ranks, in all haste, al
most as soon as they had quilted them.
We might have stood about hall
an hour under arms, waiting the pro-
ceedings of a column of four or five
hundred men, who, after disloding the
picketS, had halted just at the edge OF
the open country, when, by sudden
trampng of feet in the front of our
right, followed by the report of sew
eral muskets, attracted our attention
"A patrol was instantly sent in the di-
rection of the sound, but, before the
party comprising it had proceeded
many yards from the lines, loud
shout, followed by a rapid though
Struggling fire of 'musketry, warmed
us up to prepare for a meeting the re-
verse of friendly. Instantly, the Indi-
ans came pouring in, carrying dismay
and confusion in their countenances
and gestures. We were surrounded
on all sides; columns we've advancing
everywhere against us. Fhe'
column in the front no sooner heard
the shout than they replied cordially
and loudly to it; then, firing a volley.
with deliberate and murderous aim,
rushed furiously towards us, So close
and destructive, indeed, was our first
volley that the assailants recoiled be-
fore it, but, ere we could take
of the confusion produced,
attacks developed themselves, and we
were warmly engaged on every side,
and from all quarters y 1t was
at this moment when the heads Of col
umns began to show themselves in the
rear of our right and left, that the In
dams, who had hitherto acted with
spirit, and something like order, lost all
and fled.
The vacancy which the retreat of the
savages occasioned was promptly filled
up by one of our two field pieces,
whilst the other proved destructive to
the enemy in front. Though repeated
ly assailed in front, flank and rear, we
ourselves with so much OBJ
stinancy as to inspire a hope that the
enemy mightIeyen yet b3 keptIa bay till
the arrival of Breyman's corps, now
momentarily expected. The blowing
up of. their tumbTil caused momen-
tary cessation in firing on both sides.
The American officers, guessing the |
extent of our calamity, cheered our
men to push exertions. They rushed
up the ascent with redoubled ardOr, |
N spite of the heavy yolley which we
poured over the pafapet, and dashed
within our works. For few sec
onds the scene which followed defes |
Ill power of language to describe
The bayOpet, the butt of the rife, the
sabre, the pike were all in full play 4
and men fell, as they rarely fall in
modern wars, under the direct blows
Of the enemy. but such a struggle
could not, in the nature of things, be
Of long continuance. Out numbered
broken and somewhat disheartened by
ate events, our people wavered and
ell back, or fought singly and uncon-
lectedIy till they were either cut
lown at their posts, obstinately, de-
lending themselves, or compelled Ito
surrender. OF Reidesel's dismounted
lragoons, few survived to tell how no
bly, they had behaved. Colonel
Baume, shot through the body by ri
lie ball, fell MORALLY wounded, and,
III order and discipline being lost,
light and submission was alone
thought of.
Burgoyne's account of his part oil
he affair, near Walloomskork |
l reached the mill at St. Coyk at
lalf past four o'clock iB the afternoon.
Colonel Skeene was at the mill. He
me that the corps Of Colonel
3aume was only two miles distant.
We marched over the bridge in orderi
o reach the camp of Baume. : III
vas scarcely six hundred PAGES from
he bridge when / noticed through the
woods, q considerable number of
rmed men (some of whom wore
,louseS and some JACKETS has
ening towards an emilence on my
eft flank. Colonel Skeene rode tow
nd them, and called to them. In
tead Of returning an answer they'll.
ired upon him. The engagement now
and lasted until nearly