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

judgments are inflicted and to whose
benIgnity all deliverance must be attrib-
uted
1t is presumed that the history of these
northern campaigns is so fresh in the
memory of everyone present that a re-
petition of it would be neither entertain
ing nor instructive; therefore, waving
the description of the progress of our
armsi into Canada, and of the defeat and
death of the brave General Montgomery
which was productive of the most pre-
cipitant and confused retreat, we need
only mention that Ticonderoga was adj
judged proper place to make oppos-
ition. II
This being by its natural situation the
key ofthe country, to maintain it was
the determination of every man who
wished well to America.
For more titan fourteen months, while
tlHs was thepbJect, no sums were TOO
great to be expended and no fatigue too
painful to be endured: sosthat when the
third campaign was opened, the works
We're SO completely finished, the store
houses so amply supplied with provi-
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
fernaI hands of cowardlce or treachery
could have delivered them into the
enemy's possession.
Under these circumstances the people
i'll this department, not considering that
disappOintmentS are common to man
kind IN a state of imperfection, pursued
their business with no less security than
diligence.
Buta train of evils, which at that
time like a mighty torrent rushed in
upon us, soon discovered how vain and
unscriptural it is to trust in fortifica-
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 necessity of fleeing before him,
and TILED 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. - a.....
| Whenever we,had intelligence from
| our arnyI was marked by defeat and
discouragement; SO r that some, to
their shame be it spoken, exclaimed had
not we better submit to any imposition
than to be driven from everything we
possess. 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.
n in consequence of which, General
Stark, who was here to complete the
editice of his glory, arriving from New
! Hampshire at the head of detachment
of tbs noble and spirited militia of that
| State was welcome to the command.
! Buta special orderfor him to join the
main body at Saltwater gave rissN to
new apprehensions.
Under these circumstances, intelli-
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. Hay
! ing induced General Stark to return.
they were interchangeable in adopting
such measures as might coHduce to the
success of the enterprise.
a length of time had now elapsed
sufficient for the arrival of 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 converting, 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."