The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-10

mont in the days Immediately preceding
the epoch of 1876 and was dreaded like a
pestilenCe, especially as many of the most
reputable families who lived in this sec
tiOn and made the backbone of society in
the more thickly settled part were loyal
lists. 1t was 10 this class that Ethan Allen
delighted in showing his seamy side and
perhaps exaggerated his own bad quail
ties. Yet when all is said there Is no
doubt that the hero of Ticonderoga was "a
prototype of many of the desperadoes who
have made the social history Of the west
picturesque, but none the less disagrceable
10 timid and orderly people. That Aliens
later history largely redeemed the license
of his turbulent manhood can scarcely
affect the essential estimate Of the man.
The circumstances of the Bennington
fight need be only briefly rehearscd. it
was the British plan of campaign that
Burgoynes army marching from Canada
should pierce the center Of the northern
colonies, crushing all in his path and ut
terly cutting off New England. Had be
followed his original purpose Of sending
heavy detachment down through the
Green mountains he would probably have
succeeded. As il was after his successes at
TicOndcroga and HubbardtOyvn, Vt, be
found himself az Fort Edward master Of
Lakes George and Champlaiu, but utterly
without the supplies necessary for an on
ward movement. He was confronted only
by General Schuyler at Albany, where
Burgoync made no doubt Of sweeping the
insufficient and demoralized Americans
from his path and making junction with
the British forces expected from New
York. The New Englanders were COM
pletcly discouraged and their militia very
slow in coming 20 the tackle. Schuyler
little force was the forlorn hope.
Burgoyne burned 20 get on, but his
men must eat. II seemed easy to capture
the large depot OF stores located at Ben
nington known 70 have been collected for
Schuyler's troops. "a Colonel Baum, at
the head Of a detachment Of about 1900
Hessians, was dispatched 70 make this
essential capture. The news Of the cZpe-
dition got abroad. a regiment Of militia
from Massachusetts, and another from New
Hamps hire-if such uudisciplined m0bs
could be called Northumberland % /
Join the Vermont battalion, and % these
weAs added large numbers q tho Green !
MD lltaiD boys, who had no organization I
at all. each man lighting for his own hand /
Colonel John stark Of the Vermont con- I
tinEcnt took command Of this motley array I
and headed of the Hessians about four /
miles west Of Bennington ia what is now 4
known as the township Of White creek, I
y. Y.
The Americans were a horde % scare- I
crows, but each scareCrow held a 1reloCk, [
with which he had picked out the eyes o. /
hundreds Of squirrels The Hesslans /
fought with ruachinclike courage, but !
could not stand the pelting Of lead that 4
went straight home for human life from .
every tree and bush - they sansihly laid 4
down their arms The curious fact Is that .
this celebrated Vermont victory Wa
fought In what was then and always had .
been the domain o. New Iors and not IT, .
Vermont.
The result II the Bennington battle do
prived Burg0yne 81 his expected supplies
and anchored him 81 Fort Edward j.
put fire into the people q Sew England.
which inspired them - the rai-ln-, q many
new regiments. 20 General Gates Wa eD-
Eb.ed two months later % take the isld
with equal OF superior nluts-- and defeat
Ezrgoyue az the battle q saltwater or
Saratoga II j. not without reascn, then,
that the Bennington affair may - called
. parting d the ways az tie wsr q inds-
t%ECsuce O. Z. EEE.5.