The daily banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1891-1891, 1891-08-18


third campaign was opened, the work
were so completely finished, the store
houses so amply supplied with proyi
sions, the lines so sufficiently named
and the whole country so ready to fly
to their assistance upon any emergency
that it was thought nothing but the in
fernal hands of cowardlce or treachery
could have delivered them into the
enemys possession.
Under these circumstances the people
in this department, not considering that
disappointments are common to man.
kind in state of imperfection, pursued
their business with no less security than
diligence.
Buta train of evils, which at that
time like mighty torrent rushed in
upon us, soon discovered how vain and
unscriptural it is to trust in fortifca-
tions, for within eight days after Bur-
goyne appeared upon the Lake, he
found means to possess himself of the
forts, which laid our numerous army
under a necessity of fleeing before him,
and filed the whole country with con-
sternation and amazement.
In this condition every battle he at
tempted was succeeded by victory and
every advance he made was conquest.
The inhabitants of the northern dis
tricts for more than one hundred miles
in length were obliged to quit every
thing they possessed, and for subsistence
had no other dependence but the benig-
nifty of heaven and the charity of their
countrymen.
Whenever we had intelligence from
our army it was marked by defeat and
Encouragement; so that some, to
their shame be it spoken, exclaimed, had
not we better submit to any imposition
than to be driven from anything we pro-
cess. Notwithstanding this town was
then esteemed an asylum, yet the saga
city of the honorable Council then sit
ting at this place induced them to be
apprehensive Of an attack and prompted
them to dispatch advices to the neigh
boring States for the purpose OF procur-
ing assistance.
In consequence of which, General
Stark, who was here to complete the
Hampshire at the head of a detachment \
of the noble and spirited militia OF that
State was welcome to the command.
But special order for him to join the
main body at Saltwater gave rise to
new apprehensions;
Under these circumstances, intell-
gence of the enemy's approach was re-
ceived. If it be proper to judge OF
futurity by past events, nothing could
now be expected but panic, retreating
and confusion. But with that magnan-
unity of soul which is ever the char
acteristic of real greatness, those pa
triots who composed the council at that
time, deliberately laid the plan which
their penetration assured them would
be the destruction of the enemy. Hav-
ing induced General Stark to return,
they were indefatigable in adopting
such measures as might conduce to the
success of the enterprise.
A length Of time had now elapsed
sufficient for the arrival of a number OF
respectable militia from the adjacent
towns in this State and that of Mass
achusetts. The exertion of the people
in Berkshire County were extraordinary
on this occasion and merited them
particular honor. In convening, reso-
luton, like electric fire diffused itself
though the whole body Of the troops,
while bravery marked the countenance,
and patriotism glowed in the breast OF
every individual.
''The wise new prudence from the wise
acquire,
"And one brave hero fans another's
fire."
Prompted by their apprehensions, the
enemy, having made choice of the
most advantageous ground, began at
this time to intrench. But SO deter
mined were our forces, that no circum-
stance of superiority in number, of per
fection of discipline, or of finished in
trenchments was sufficient to bring dis
couragement to their view.
Stark gave the command, the attack
was made, the intrenchments stormed,
and the enemy defeated. What mira
cles will resolution and perseverance
effect.
That an undiciplined militia, without
the assistance of single field piece,
should, in the face of cannon, confront
an enemy almost double in number, and
drive them from their intrenchments,
marks the determination of Americans,
and affords an instance of bravery with
out precedent in history.
Soon after this the enemy, being re-
inforced, renewed the attack, and from
the dictates of despair fought with per-
severing intrepidity, which in any other
circumstances must have been the at
tainment of their wishes. In this crit
ical moment the arrival of Colonel
Warmers regiment, by adding to the
spirit of the men as well as TO their num-
bars, completed the victory. Boast
then, ye gasconading Britons, that two
thousand of your men can effect a