The Somerset reporter., 1891-08-27
poftance of the Battle Of Gen
nington.


lac celebration u the victory a; Ben
HIugt9n makes timely the following a.
count II his important battle gathered
ffom M BAXter- book, i Ut British Ia
YssiJn from the North. witch j. al tn
trely new presentation If the SUBJECT, be-
ing based upon Lieutenant Dig1y's JOUR
nal and other newly discovered mater,
says the Portland Press.
BItgoyne had been Informed taat the
patti ITS nal gathered q. Bennington
horses, provisions and other stores Of
Which he WAS In sore need, and that many
l5yailsts in the vicinity we're only avail
Ing favorable opportunity y join the
army He therefore sent forward al *
petition composed Of Germans under Gen
Baum, u attac, Bennington and selle the
stores there. BY accomplishing this pur-
pose he would not only obtain pr0yi--
ions, which he 50 much needed, aud
horses which would enable him 10 mount
ais cavalry, but would be in position 10
open the way for cooperation win s..
Leger who was then marching by the
Mohawk river to effect junction with
hin. Balm's command were wholly uu-
Il for the service assigned them.
The eqaipmen. Of one Of these men
consisted Of nigh and heavy jackboots,
with large, long spurs, stout and st.f
leather breecnes. quantities. reaching hign
up upon his arms and 8 hat with a huge
TUX Of ornamental feathers. ON his side
he tralled a tremendous brOadsSord;
short but clumsy earbine was slung over
MS shoulder, and down his back, like
Chinese msndarin's, daDgled long
queue This equipment, so ridiculously
cumbersome, rendered the Germans in
capable Of making any quick movement;
added to this they were deceived by
ruse Of the Americans, whom they mis-
took for loyslist allies, and whom Baum
allowed to gather on his fisnks
These began TO make their appearance
In small bodies from d iierent directions
toward nine o'clock on the morning OF
the lG.h OF August, most of whom were
in their shlrt.sleeyes. They did not act
as If they intended to make an attack
and Baum being told by the proyinciais
who had Joined his army on the line OF
march that they were all loyalists and
would make common cause with him,
suffered them to encamp on his iiank and
rear. Shortly after another force Of the
rebels az the German general designated
them ia his account Of the affair, arrived
and attacked his rear. This was the sig
nal for the seeming loyalists VINO had
encamped on the flank snd rear of the
army, to attack the Germans; and the re-
suit was that Baum suddenly found him
self cut Of from all his detached posts.
For over two hours he withstood the
salles and fire Of the enemy-but al last
his ammunition being used up and no re-
Inducements arriving, he WAS Obliged to
succumb to superior numbers and retreat.
Says Riedesel, from whose report many
Of these particulars are gathered. The
enemy seemed to spring out OF the
ground. Indeed they were estimated as
between four aud five thousand men.
Twice the brave dragons succeeded In
breaking a road through the enemy's
ranks; for upon their ammunition giving
out, Baum Ordered that they should hang
their carhines over their shoulders and
trust to their swords But bravery was
now in vain, and the heroic leader, him
self severely wounded. was forced to
surrender with his dragons. Meanwhile
the Indians and Prnvincals the Ameri-
cans loyal to the British were so called
lad taken flight and sought safety in the
forest -