The state herald., 1891-08-28
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN soys.
President Harrison Helps Dedicate
Monument to their Memory.


Monument to their Memory.
The battle Of Bennington fought
between the Green Mountain Boys under
Stark and the British troops in TIT, has
been commemorated by vermonters by
the erection OF handsome monument,
It was dedicated on the 10th In the pres.
ence OF the President, tho Governor and
other celebrities. Edward j. Phelps de-
livered the oration on tho occasion. In
tho course Of his able address detailing
he history OF events eliminating In the
battle Of Bennington, Mr.. Phelps said
that Burgoyne with q British force at.
tempted the capture of the stores Of am.
munition gathered ut Bennington by the
patriots.
John Stark, tho commander OF tho
patriot force, could not wait US hs would
have dono for his enemy's advance. He
was unable to feed his Ill provided forcos
long, nor could he keep them from homes
that were suffering for their presence.
His only chance was to attack ut once, and
bis dispositions, most ably seconded by
Warner, his righth man, were mas
terly beyond criticism. He had no artil.
lery, no cavalry, no transportation, no
commisssriat but the women on the farms.
Half OF his troops were without bayonets,
and even ammunition had to be husband.
ed. He lacked everything but mon, and
his men lacked everything but hardihood
and indomitable resolution. Upon all
known rules and experience of warfare,
the successful storming by hasty organ.
lied militia Of an entrenched position at
the top Of hill held by IN adequate resu
lar force would have been declared i'm
possible. But 1t was tho impossible that
happened In rout Of the veterans that
amounted 10 destruction.
History and literature, eloquence and
poetry have combined to enshrine in tho
memory Of mankind those decisive
charges at critical moments by which
great battles have been won and epochs
in the life Of nations determined. 1 set
against the splendor Of them all that final
onset up yonder hill and over its breast
works OF those New England farmers, on
whose faces desperation had kindled tho
supernatural light Of battle, which never
shines In vain.
"That conflict was the last hope Of the
Hampshire grants. They were fighting
for all they had on earth, whether of pos
sessions or of rights. They could not go
hume defeated, for they would havo no
home to go to. The desolatc land that
Burgoyne would have left, New York
would have taken. Not man was on tho
field by compulsion or upon the slightest
expectation Of personal advantage or re
ward. The spirit which made the day
possible was shown In Stephen Day, who
had five sons In the fight, when the first
born was brought home TO him dead: j
thank God,' he said, that had a son
willing to give his life for his country
"Such in merest and briefest outline,
was Bennington. Its story, imperfectly
preserved, comes down TO US only In
flashes, but they are flashes Of glorious
light Its consequences were immediate
and far-reaching. IT was the first success
Of the revolution which bore any fruit
Washington heard 1t, and hearing, took
heart again. Confidence replaced despair
Gates succeeded Schuyler in command a.
Saratoga, and the militia poured into his
camp. The invincibility Of the British
commander was gone. He fought desper-
stely, but In vsln. On Octo, T IL he sur.
rendered"