The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-09-15
HISTORIC BENNINGTON.


Mr.. G. F. Post loans us copy of the
New Milford, Pa, Advertiser, in which
appears letter, written by a gentleman
who visited here this summer He says:
BENNINGTON, Aug. %. : "As the
mountains are round about Jerusalem"
so they are round about Bennington.
Not the same mountains to be sure, but
mountains nevertheless. Did you ever
see a shepherd crook? Well, the noun
tains here remind me of one, with Mt.
Anthony at the upper end, on the west,
and Bennington in the crook. just
little to the north of Mt. Anthony, hard
by its foot, is "Town Hill," where the
first settlement was made, and on which
the Bennington monument stands
Here. too. is the first church built in the
State. and the first academy building.
The academy building is unoccupied,
but the church is a neat old landmark
and the bell in the steeple is still calling
the villagers to hear the gospePs joyful
sound. We hardly need to add that IN
the shadow of this church stands many
marble slab which marks the resting
place of those who laid its foundation
and reared its walls before this century
was born. All honor to the present gen
Grafton for keeping the sacred grounds
so lastly that one loves to llnger there
on. In the dale east of this historic
mound lies Bennington, with the Green
Mountains to the south and east and
stretching on toward Her Majesty's Do
minions, if not into them.
The Walloomsac river comes tumblng
down from the south, giving supply OF
water for steam for the numerous mills
factories and industries which make this
aud NHvinHC ire oil To
the north, we know not where.
The principal streets run east and
west and are lined with fine residences
and lofty overhanging elms and maple
trees.
The churches and public buildings in
dictate, by their architecture and proper
lions, commendable degree of enter
prise in public affairs.
We were intensely interested in what
we saw on Town HILL" The old church
and its venerable environments; the
monument so imposing, 81 feet square at
its base, and rising 301 feet, 10t inches
high, in fine proportions. In the room
inside hangs General Burgoyne's camp
kettle, captured in the frav. These
scenes brought to our remembrance the
fact that our grandfather might have
been one of the soldiers who captured
this camp kettle-for he was in the fight
and it is not surprising that the blood
which had been so slowly coursing our
veins for the past month, was qulckened,
we were young again, and we were
conscious that the same blood that was
so wonderfully stirred on these grounds
in the days agone, was stirring still In
our veins. We were not strong enough
to climb the winding flight of All steps
to the 'look out room from which the
battle ground could be seen. From these
historic grounds we rode to the Soldiers
Home, situate on the northern skirts of
Bennington. There are large and delight
full grounds, and we were kindly shown
through the buildings, which are roomy,
neat and attractive. And the old soldiers
in their suits of blue, extended to us
their hands with "How are you, com
rade," and the time went by all too
soon. In the hospital we found several
suffering ones whom we tried to comfort.
In one room was one whose marches
were so nearly ended that he was un-
conscious of his surroundings. We said
to the general superintendent, Maj. X. j.
Coffey, as we came away, Major, we en-
joyed our visit to the monument. That
shaft perpetuates the memory OF the
dead. 1t is just tribute. But sir, you
are doing here better thing You per-
petuate the memory of the noble dead,
and you add greatly to the comforts of
the living, who deserve all grateful
people can bestow."
we are feeling so much improved un.
der the ministration of friends and this
bracing atmosphere, that we think to &c
to Rutland for a day or two this week.
p. r. TOWER.