The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21

remaining on his left than by joining the army
i'm front But for this refusal of Stark, which was
founded on the soundest military view of the state
of affairs, Bennington would doubtless have
fallen prey to the enemy.
At Manchester Stark found that considerable
large body of the enemy, which for some time
had been at Castleton, threatening Manchester
and to cross over to Connecticut had marched to
the Hudson. he with his force, passed on to
Bennington where he arrived on the 9th, He
was accompanied by Col. Warner, whose CONT
mental regiment was left at Manchester, under
command of Lieut. col. Samuel Stafford. At Ben
nington Gen. Stark encamped for few days,
collecting information IN regard to the position
and designs of the enemy. aud consulting with
the council of safety and with Colonel Warner
relative to future operations. - d.
The progress Of Burgoyne towards Albany had
been so retarded by the natural difficulties of the
route. and the distractions thrown in his way by
the Americans, that It was, nearly month after
his departure fIom Ticonderoga, before he
reached the Hudson river Here he found him
self so deficient in provisions and also in cattle
and carria6 es for transportation that he was
much embarrassed about the means of advancing
further, Learning that the articles he most
needed had been collectPdin considerable guam
titles at Bennington, as convt nient depot to
supply the American forces, he resolved to seize
them for the use of his own army. t rHH
For this service Lieut.-Col Baum was selected
Burgoyne, in his letter TO the English ministry,
states the force under his command to have con
sisted of 200 mounted dragons, Capt. Fraziet's
marksmen Called also rangers). which were the
of Provineals (COl. Peters corps of Torries) 100
Indians, and two light pieces of cannon, the whole
detachment amounting to about 500 men,
There is no doubt this number is too small by
several hundreds. The German Official accounts
give the number OF the troops of Baum at 374
instead of 200; and Of the British Canadians and
Tories, the prisoners taken in the action
amounted to 23O as will be seen hereafter, which
would swell Baum's force TO over 600, without
reckoning those who were killed in battle and
the many who escaped by flight. There can be
little doubt that the number OF men brought into
action by Baum exceeded 700, besides his 100
Indians Col Skene, at the request of Burgoyne,
had accompanied ie expedition, that the Ger
man commander might have the benefit of his
better knowledge of the country, and of his sup
posed influence With the people. It
H. PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE.
Baum set off with his force on the 18th OF
i August, and arrived the same day at Cambridge,
| sixteen miles from Bennington. Early the next
morning he reached Sancoick. small settlement
near the mouth of the White Greek branch of the
| Walloomsac river, about half a mile below the
| present village Of North Hoosick. Here he found
| a party of Americans in possession of mill
the mill, on tile head of barrel, he wrote Bur
1gOJne an account Of his progress Informing him
! that by five prisoners taken here they agree
that 1900 to 1900 men are at Bennington, but arc
! supposed to leave at or approach" They did
leave on his approach but not in the direction he
had anticipated. iT. .. y.r. glT
lutolu NM ~ sui ana IN
4 use by John Burke, tile present owner and is
| about eight miles from Bennington. % l1
!, Gen. Stark, on the l3th, had received informa.
ton from scouts that a par OF, Indians was at
Cambridge, and he sent Lieut.. Col, Gregg, of his
brigade, with 200 men TO stop their progress, but
during the night he was advised that large body
! Of troops, with artillery, were in the rear of the
! Indians and that they were advancing towards
! Bennington. he Immediately sent 20 Alanches
| ter for Col. Warmers continental regiment, and
also for neighboung militia TO rally to his sup
| port. on the morning OF the 18th he assembled
his brigade and In company with Colonies
| Warner, Williams, Herrick ana Bush, went out
to meet the enemy. lie had marched about FIVE
| miles when he met Gregg, on his retreat from
| Sancoick, and the enemy in close pursuit. Stark
| drew up his men In order Of battle, but Baum
halted in a commanding position. and che ground
occupied by Stark being unfayorable for a general
| attack, he fell back about a mile and encamped
His encampment was in the northwest part OF
Bennington. on the farm formerly owned by
Paul NJ Henry, on the hill, upon which new
dwelling has lately been erected by Lewis
| Norhouse the present proprietor
| The Walloonsac river is a branch of the
Hoosick forbade in many places, having in general
a westerly COURSE but which after passing Stark
encampment, runs in no rthern direction fol-