The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-15
The Fighting Parsons Tale.

The following account Of the battle of Ben
nington was written on the morning after
the battle by Rev. Thomas Allen, of Pitts
field, and originally published in the COnnec-
ticut Courant, August 25th, 1777,
Rev. Thomas Allen was the first settled
minister Of Pittsfeld, Mass, and was thirty
four years old at the time Of the battle. He
accompanied the Berkshire militia as pri-
vate, and tits said that the militia would not
leave their encampment, until "Mr. Allen
had prayed to the God Of armies that he
would teach their arms to war, and their
'fngers to fight"
Saturday, August 10th, was memorable
day, on account of the easy victory which
the militia, under the command of General
Stark, obtained over body of the kings
troops, commanded by Governor Skeene,
some account Of which is here given by one
who was himselfin the action. 1t seoms that
General fiurRoyue had detached this corps
consulting Of fifteen hundred men. chiefly
Waldeekers aud BruDswiekers. intermixed
with some British troops and tories. med
ley cOmpOund-tO penetrate as far as Ben
nington, and farther, if it should be found
practicable, with view to increase the num-
Der of his friends, to disperse his "protec-
tiOns" in the country, to procure for his ar
my provisions, and to wreak his wrath and
vengeance on those who had disregarded his
calls Of mercy and slighted with indignity
his preferred protection. Governer Skeene
had advantageously posted this corps with
in about five miles of the Bennington meet
ing house, where in different places, they
made beeastworks for their own security.
This digressiOn was Of such i'll tendency. and
saSored so much Of presuptiOn, that General
Stark. who was at that time providentially
in Bennington, with his brigade of militia
from New Hampshire State, determined to
give him battle. Colonel Simmons regi-
ment OF militia in Berkshire county was in
vited to his assistance. and part of Colonel
Browns arrived seasOnably to attend on the
aotien; and some volunteers from different
towns; aud Colonel Warren, with part of his
own regiment, joined him the same day The
General, it seems, wisely laid bis plan of oper-
alton, and, Divine Providence blessing us
with good weather, between and o'clock
p. M, he attacked them in front and flank in
three or four different places at the same in
slant, with irresistible impetuosity.
The action was EXTREMITY hot for between
one and two hours. The fanking divisions
had carried their point with great success
when the front pressed on to their breast
works with an ardor and patience beyond ex-
pectation. The blaze of the guns of the con-
tending parties reached each other. The
fire was 80 extremely hot, and our men
eaisly surmounting their breastwOrks amid
peals of thunder and flashes of tightening
from their guns, without regarding the raOr
of their field pieces that the enemy at once
deserted their cover and ran and in about
fusion aud disorder. All their battalions
were broken in pieces and fed most precipi-
lately at which instant our whole army
pressed after with redonbled ardOr pursued
them for mile. made considerable slaught-
er among them, and made many prisoners.
One field-piece had already fallen into our
hands. At this point our mon stopped pur-
suit TO gain breath when the enemy being |
our front fell back few rods |
for convenience of ground, and being direc- |
ted and collected by Col, Rossiter and re-
enforced by Major StrattOn, renewed the
fight with redoubled ardor and fell in upon
them with great impetuosty, put them to
confusion and flight. and pursued them
about a mile, making many prisoners. Two
OF three more brass field pieces fell into our
hands and are supposed to be the whole of
what they brought with them. At this time
darkness came upon us and prevented our
up the whole of this body The
enemy fed precipitately the succeeding
night toward the North river, and unless
they should be met by party Of our army
may have reached there without further
Gov. Skeene in surprise and
took horse and fed. This ac-
ion which rebounds SO much 10 the glory of
,he great Lord Of the heavens aud God Of ar
nies affords the Americans lasting monu-
nent of the divine power and goodness, and
most powerful argument of love to, and
rust IN God.
Our loss is about forty or fifty killed and
more wounded. Their baggage fell into our
lands. The number OF prisoners taken is
aid to be about six hundred. Two OF their
'olonels were among the prisoners and NOR
ally wounded, A number of their interior
'tiiceIs have also fallen into our hands, aud
n particular the generals aid-de-camp A
rood number deserted and Joined us. This
Tictory is thought by some 10 equal any that
las happened during the present con-
IOversv, and IS long as prudence mOdera-
ion, sObTiety and valOr are Of any estima-
ion among these United States will no. fail
o endear Gen. Stark to them. 'It ia the ,
Ipinion Of some that If large body of milf
Ia was now called to act In conjunction with
ur northern army, the enemy might be en-
irely OverthTOwn. Nav all be concerned TO
NN,.N
cod conduct ~ the officers and soldiers in I
eneral on so important an occasion. The
est account of the number of prisoners TAX
n In the above action Is as follows: ]
Two colonels, | lieutenant colonel, ma \
or. 5 captains, II lieutenauts, ensigus, 2 I,
janadian officers, judge advocate, baron /,
surgeons, 81 British aud sos German pri- 7
ntes. 1I5 tOriea: $50 besides wonnded; . :