The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-27
The State House Cannon

Elsewhere in this paper the Jour
nal prints today most interesting
and valuable article on the two brass
cannon which constitute one OF the
choicest OF the historical treasures
at the State House, written by Hon.
Horace w. Bailey, whose reputation
as an accurate and painstaking stu
dent OF Vermont history is based up
on many years of careful and dill
gent research.
These trophies form link between
the troubled beginnings OF our earl
lest history and the present time.
These cannon were part of Burgoynes
valuable train of artillery Of forty
two pieces and were brought through
the Champlain valley in 1777 when
the people in the remoter portions Of
the New Hampshire Grants fed In
terror at his approach. They formed
part of the equipment of Bur.
goyne's German allies who were sent
to seize the American stores at Ben
nington and many OF the allies like
these cannon, did not return to Bur
goyne's headquarters.
In General Starks report to the
New Hampshire authorities on the
battle OF Bennington he alludes tC
the capture OF the cannon as follows
"The action lasted two hours, at the
expiration of which time we forced
their breastworks at the muzzle o
their guns, took two pieces OF bras
cannon with a number Of prisoners
but before | could get them int
proper form again ! received intelll
gence that there was a large rein
forcement within two miles of us OF
their march. which occasloned us 4
renew our attack But luckily for u
Col. Warmers Regiment came NJ
which put a stop to their career. w
soon rallied and in few minutes III
action became very warm and despel
ate. which lasted till night; we use
their own cannon against theta, whic
proved OF great service to u.s. a
sunset we obliged them to retreat
second time; we pursued them ii
dark, when was Obliged to halt "a
fear Of killing our own men. w
recovered two pieces more OF the
cannon
The strategic importance OF N
battle OF Bennington was recognize
by nobody more keenly than by Ge
eral Burgoyne himself After h
return to England, testlfying before
committee OF the House of Common
ordered to investigate his conduct
said: Il undertook the expedition
Bennington upon report. strengt
ened by the suggestion OF persons
long experience and residence In Al
erica, who had been present on u
spot when the rebellion broke on
and whose information had be,
: much respected by the adminlstratl,
in England. that the friends to q
n British cause were as FIVE to one M
that they wanted only the appea
ance OF protecting force to sho
II themselves" How sadly Burgoyl
i was deceived regarding the loyal
OF the vermonters he learned lat
at Bennington.
In a speech in the House OF Col
mons on Burgoyne's conduct 10
George Germaine declared that u
fatal" Bennington enterprise W
the cause OF all subsequent misfC
tunes. In his reply Burgoyne sal
"he noble Lord (Germane) has 81
that never despaired of the ca
paign before the affair at Bennir
ton: that had no doubt OF gaini
Albany In as short time as {
army Gin due condition Of suppl
could accomplish the march.
II knowledge the truth OF the assertio
/ In their fullest extent. all my lette
at the time show Il. will go furth
/ and in one sense apply with the mol
Lord the epithet fatal to the ait
OF Bennington. The knowledge
- Quired OF the professors OF loya