The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-27
BATTLE or BENNINGTON
History Of the Battle from Pamphlet
Written by Frank w. coburn and
Published In 1917.
(Contlnued)

Starks stratagem was completely
successful in decelving Baum himself,
although not 80 his whole camp.
Click, in his account, remarks
Scouts came in to report that col
umns Of armed men were approach
ing; though whether with friendly or
hostile intention, neither their APP
pearance nor actions enabled our in
formants to ascertain. 1t has been
stated, that during the last days
march our little corps was joined by
many of the country people; most of
whom demanded and obtained arms,
as persons friendly to the royal cause
How Col Baum became so completely
duped as to place reliance on these
men | know not; but having listened
with complacency to their previous
assurances, that in Bennington, a
large majority of the populace were
our friends, he was somehow or other
persuaded to believe, that the armed
bands, of whose approach he was
warned, we're loyalist on their way to
make tender OF their services to the
leader OF the kings troops. Filled
with this idea, he despatched positive
orders to the out-posts, that no mo-
lestation should be offered to the adj
vancing columns; but that the pickets
retiring before them should join the
main body, where every disposition
was made to receive either friend or
foe Unfortunately for us, these or
ders we're but too faithfully obeyed.
About half-past nine o'clock, !, who
was not in the secret, beheld to my
utter amaZement, our advanced part
les withdraw without firing shot,
from thickots which might have been
maintained for hours against any SUI
periority OF numbers; and the same
thickets occupied by men whose
whole demeanor, as well as their
dress and style of equipment, plainly
and incontestably pointed them out
as Americans. -, With the solitary
exception of our leader. there was
not a man among us who appeared
otherwise than satisfied that those to
whom he had listened were traitors.
He saw no reason TO doubt that
the people, whose approach excited
so much apprehension, were the same
of whose arrival he had been fore
warned; and he was prevented from
placing himself entirely in their pow
er, only by the positive refusal OF his
followers to obey orders"
Stark waited patiently for the ex-
pected signal of attack from the rear
and at three o'clock it came, the
scattering reports of firearms from
the direction of Nichols and Herrick
announcing that they had begun the
attack. The welcome sound sent a
thrill through the American ranks,
and with wild hurrahs thus followed
their leader and Warner to the fight.
Before the attack, Stark, with his
sword pointing to the breastworks,
said, My men, those are wour enem'
les the red-coats and the Tories. We
must conquer them, or tonight Mol
lie Stark will be a widow! Driving
in the tory out-posts, they crossed the
Walloomsac and rushed up the hill.
Herricks men had met the Indians
and driven them in, in the greatest
confusion and widest alarm. Then
came the attack on the front. I'VE
were surrounded on all sides, col
umns were advancing everywhere
against us, and Baum soon realized
that those whom he had believed as
friends were fast turning into enem-
les. A loud shout from Stark's men
in front, in answer to those from the
rear, and then all on to the onset!
The Indians, finding themselves in
close quarters and likely soon to be
in closer, If they longer remained
beat a hasty retreat, passing off in
single file as was customary with
them, with horrid yells and the harsh
jingling of COW bells. No remon-
STRANGE of Baum's could induce them
to remain. The vacancy in the in
trenchments left by them was filled
by one of the field pieces, while the
other was still directed to the front.
Baums men fought with the desper-
alton of veterans. Repeatedly as.
sailed on all sides, they maintained
their ground, trusting that Breyman' S
troops might soon reinforce them
Their hopes were fruitless! Brey-
man came not; yet they still toiled
on, until at last the solitary tumbril,
which contained all of their spare
ammunition, become ignited and blew
up with a violence that seemed TO
shake the very ground on which
they trod A momentary lull in the
angry shouts of battle, a temporary
cessation of firing and then, quickly,
cheer upon cheer from the Americans
as they pushed ON to victory. Right
ly guessing the nature OF the explos-
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