The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-08-27
OHAUTAUQUA
VERMONT's BATTLE MONUMENT.

VERMONT'S BATTLE MONUMENT.
On the 10th of August. 1777. Col. John Stark de-
feated the troops of Baum and Breyman at Ben
nington, and thereby for himself enduring
fame among the heroes Of the Revolution. Last
year New Hampshire set up at Concord a bronze
statue of this gallant of hers. and the 18th
of August Vermont dedicated upon the site of the
battle shaft rising to u height of more than 800
feet. and set upon a hill which makes it tower
still more conspiciously above the adjacent valley.
This monument has been built by the joint con.
tributons Of Congress. patriotic association. and
the States of Vermont Massachusetts,. and New
Hampshire.
Like Bunker Hill, Bennington has acquired a
celebrity quite disproportioned to the forces en-.
gagged in the battle Its real significance less
in the results visible the field than in the blow
it dealt at a critical juncture against a dangerous
military movement. The British campaign of l777
based on taking possession of the line of Lake
Champlain. Lake George. and the Hudson Valley
to cut in two the confederate colonies and
separate New England from the rest. Gen. Bur-
goyne with an army assembled in Canada for this
purpose, moved southwark through Lake Cham.
plain, and early in July captured Crown Point and
Ticonderoga, with great quantities OF artillery
and military stores Then he drove st. Clair into
Vermont and routed him at Hub bardton, while
the supplies of the unfortunate American com.
mander sent by boat to Skenesborough were also
overhauled and destroyed. Gen. Howe, at New
York, had meanwhile embarked his army and
sailed to Philadelphia whittier Washington has.
tened to oppose him. Gen. Schuyler, in command
in northern New York. had little but militia and
the garrisons of the evacuated forts with which to
confront Burgoyne, and, obstructing the enemy's
march by destroying bridges and telling trees, he
rstreated slowly toward Saratoga.
Near that point Burgoyne. learning that prov.
sions were collected at Bennington, and needing
supplies for his troops sent out expeditionary
party under Col. Baum. Stark, with his militia
fell upon this column and completely routed it.
taking its two cannon; while Breyman, marching
with a cooperating body, attacked by Col
Warner, aided afterward by the victorious troops
of Stark, and was driven back with the loss of
two more guns. About seven hundred prisoners
were captured, and altogether the British loss
amounted probably to a thousand men. 1t was a
welwon triumph, and when the day was done
Molly Stark not widow.
The victory thus gained completely revived the
spirits of the patriots, who up to that time had
been uniformly driven back and defeated by Bur.
goyne, with enormous losses in artillery and sup
plies. At last it seemed possible to check his
bold march and destroy his army. Crippled by
the loss of thousand men, deprived of the provi.
sions he had hoped for. Burgoyne's condition be.
came serious and, in fact, two months later he
was forced, after severe fighting at Bemis Heights
to surrender his whole army. In the rejoicing
over this greater victory the part played by Ben
nington in making such triumph possible was
not forgotten. Congress passed vote of thanks
to Stark, and it also made him BrigadierGen.
.eral. Later in life it gave him a pension. and he
continued to receive it until his death, in his
ninety fourth year.
Altogether this battle. which so happily turned
the tide in the memorable campaign Of 1777, is
well worthy of the lofty obelisk which has been
placed upon the field. There is also another his.
toric event to add to the impressiveness Of
Wednesdays celebration. Vermont in 1891 was
admitted into the Union, so that she unite q
centennial cemmemoration with the honors paid
to Stark's yictory.-New York Sun.
In some late paper have seen an asser-
ton made by some U. S. army authorities.
that the soldiers enlisted for the regular
army were generally brave and trustworthy.
This reminds me of story the frOntiersmen
tell of Old Chief Gall and Gen. Sherman.
At the time of Sherman's tour of inspection
some years agO-it happened. l think at
Standing Rock agency in Dakota-Gall