Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-25

| called out for the defense of their homes.
1t has often been said that Gen Baum
was detached by Burgoyne for the sim
| pie purpose of seizing these stores, but
this was not the main end in view. 1t
was one thing out of many that Baum
was to do. Burgoyne had discovered
that he had an enemy on his flank and
in his rear that also required as close at
tention as the one he expected to meet
in his front. He saw also that the most
thickly settled portions of Vermont on
both sides of the Green Mountains could
supply him with provisions and horses,
and so Gen. Baum had orders to seize
the stores at Bennington, and then by
the way of Manchester, north of Ben
nington, to cross the mountains and
move down the Connecticut river to
Brattleboro, and thence through the
Berkshire hills to rejoin the main army.
Stark's determination to give battle at
Bennington is thus seen to have prom
ised the best possible protection to the
infant settlements in Vermont as we'll as
the comparatively unprotected settle
ments on both sides of the Connecticut
river, and fully justified him in declining
to obey orders of Gen. Schuyler to march
his men to the mouth of the Mohawk.
Stark's commission empowered him to
act Independently of the Continental
Congress and of officers acting under it's
commission. He could render the ma
tional cause more aid by disabling the
invading army than by running ahead of
it or around it, and although Congress
censured his disobedience of Schuyler's
orders, yet as soon as it learned of his
victory it made haste to revoke its CEN
sure and vote its thanks to him and his
men.
The details of the battle of Benning-
ton are familiar history. No better gen.
eralship nor better soldiership was de-
veloped during the war. Stark was the
personification of heroism and the in
spiration of victory, No commander
less such could have held his undisci-
plined men so tenaciously to duty. He
displayed the dash of Sheridan the
strategy of Lee, and the firm mental
poise of a Grant.
He fanked and surrounded Baum be-
fore opening his fire. Every soldier saw
in defeat the possible widowhood of his
own "Molly Stark" Such men, under
such a leader and fighting for home, are
always and everywhere invincible.
The result of Starks victory at Ben
nington were of the most far-reaching
consequence to the American cause.
Burgoyne had lost one-seventh of his
men and seven-sevenths of his Over-con-
fidence. His journey was no longer
holiday trip, but had become a business
trip. He discovered that he must meet
his enemy in front in a crippled cond-
ton, while the most rebellious people on
earth hung upon his flank like wither-
ing storm.
Bennington was at once revelation to
the naughty Briton and an inspiration to
the hopeful American.
Alison says that the battle of Valmy,
the first test made of the mettle of
French soldiers after the breaking out
of the revolution of 17S9, carried the
arms of France to Vienna and the Krem-
lin. SO it may be affirmed that Benning-
ton made Saratoga not alone possible
1t made it inevitable. Saratoga brought
recognition from France and Spain, and
with that independence was practically
won. Bennington restored the waning
courage and dropping hope of America.
1t unified public sentiment throughout
the colonies. 1t emphasized the bellig-
erent character of the contest, and, bet
ter than all, it demonstrated the ability
of the American volunteer to cope with
the professional soldier of Europe.
Vermont has in many ways testified
her appreciation of the part taken by
her own and the militia of New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts, at Bennington.
She has kept the 10th of August in con-
slant annual remembrance for hundred
years. In 1877 she celebrated the
centennial anniversary of the battle
upon large and imposing scale of cere-
monies. The occasion was graced by
the presence of the president of the |
United States, his cabinet, the governors
and legislatures, and many distinguished |
citizens of Massachusetts,, New Hamp- |
shire and Vermont. Elaborate commem-
oratiYe exercises brought to the mind of |
the present generation keener view of |
the significance of the battle. Three |
years ago another monster celebration |
brought together an assemblage no less
distinguished in honor of the dedication |
of the monument erected to commemo-
rate the deeds of Stark and his men.
To-day New Hampshire adds one
more testimonial of honor to her dis
tinguished son by setting his statue in
our national gallery of fame, and appro-
priately couples it with that of her other
Highest of all in Leavening Power