Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-15
The Battle Monument.

The Battle Monument.
We notice that in the various coupon
series of pamphlet engravings: Amer
ica," "Our Country" Sights and
Scenes of the World" etc., now being
sold for dime each portfolio of IS pic
lures, the Bennington Battle Monument
is omitted, so far as we have seen. This
is an oversight that should be corrected,
as Bunker Hill, the Washington, and
many others of lesser note are shown,
with their history attached. We have
been interested in reading the summa-
ries attached to such of these monuments
standing on American soil as have been
illustrated, as we'll as those accompany
ing foreign monuments and buildings.
But none have a prouder history than
that of our own shaft that crowns the
crest of Bennington Hill. We find an
admirable summary of what is com
memorated by iJ in the words of a re-
cent writer, which we commend to the
publishers of the portfolios mentioned,
as follows:
The men of Vermont, Massachusetts,
and New Hampshire, under Gen. Stark
of New Hampshire, won the Bennington
victory August 10th, 1777. The State of
Vermont had already declared its indie
pendence, which it maintained for IA
years; and its Council of Safety, its pro-
visional government, was in session at
the CatamOunt tavern at the time of the
battle.
Gen. BurgOyne with an army of inva.
sion from Canada was marching towards
New York, expecting to form junction
with force sent up the Hudson by
Howe, the British commander there, at
or near Albany. The object of these
movements was to cut off New England
from the rest of the country, an object
seemingly not difficult to accomplish.
Burgoyne was at first successful. He
easily captured Ticonderoga, July 9th,
fought the battle of Hubbardton w.t., a
disastrous defeat for our army, the next
day; and to all appearances his Amy
was TO march through the country in the
character of conquerors. Had this &C.
CURED the independence of the colonies
was lost. But unforeseen difficulties
soon beset him. He was a month en-
route from Ticonderoga towards Albany
when he became short of provisions.
Bennington was a depot of supplies
for Gen. Schuyler's army, Burgoynes
opposing force. To capture these and
thus provisions for his army seemed an
easy matter. He accordingly sent de-
tachment for this purpose under Col.
Baum, a veteran officer, who reached
Cambridge, about IL miles northwest
from Bennington, the 18th day of Au-
gust.
The Americans during this time were
not idle, and by the 9th of August had
assembled at Bennington much supe-
rior force, though the reinforcement
which Burgoyne sent Baum on the day
of the battle made the two forces more
nearly equal. On the 14th, Baum moved
to within about 4 miles, as the crow
flies, of the coveted stores, and on a
bold eminence threw up Notifications.
Stark moved out on the 14th and at
tackled him on the 10Th, capturing near
ly his whole force before his reinforce
ments under Breyman came up. A Sec
ond engagement with these resulted dis
astrously for them. They lost their
cannon as Baum had his, and only dark
ness saved them from the full fate of
Baum.
To commemorate this brilliant victory
the three States whose yoeman soldiery
won it, and the National government,
made possible by it, have united to erect
a monument, and by the aid of patriotic
citizens in different parts of the coun-
try, the Bennington Battle Monument
Association, charged by the State of
Vermont with the enterprise, has built a
structure 301 feet, l0t inches high, which
is conceded to be the finest large public
monument in the country. Its site IS
the site of the old Continental Store
House, where at Bennington Centre, the
Bennington of Revolutionary fame, lay
the stores "Burgoyne so sadly needed
and so signally failed to get" This
spot, besides being historically appro-
pirate, is admirably adapted for com
manding structure. The base of the
monument is nearly 800 feet above the
Walloomsac river, and about mile from
the railroad station in Bennington vii
lage. The site commands view up and
down the valleys of the Walloomsac and
the Battenkill, and southwark into the
State of Massachusetts some forty or
fifty miles from north to south. To the
northwest open into the State of New
York the valleys of the Walloomsac and
the Hoosick, the former cutting through
the broad opening of perhaps ten miles
in the Taconic range of mountains be-
tween Mount Anthony, $500 feet high,
and the "great mountains of West
SALISBURY" On the east lies the main
range of the Green Mountains, Bald
Mountain, 300 feet high, being right
over against the observers vision. The
site is therefore on hill between two
ranges OF mountains, and commands SO
extensive view that the monument is
most conspicuous feature of the land
scape for miles around. One hundred
and lightweight feet, and six inches
above the foundation is a landing from
which, through long openings in the
structure, the whole sweep of this ex.
quisitely beautiful landscape can be
taken in by the eye. The battlefield,
the route of Stark's army to it, and
other historic localities can also be
viewed.
Deans Rheumatic Pills absolutely cures