The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-17


cape and join General Schuyler and
afterwards aid in the capture Of Bur
goyne at Saltwater
While Colonel Warner was thus
fighting for the cause of American lib
erty, the delegates from the New
Hampshire Grants were forming a
government at Windsor. They had
finally decided that not only would
they not surrender their lands to New
York, but would no longer acknow-
ledge its jurisdiction over their ter
lritory. And so they adopted a con-
stitution and formed a government
of their own, which should embrace
within its jurisdiction the present ter
ritory of this state And the new ma
ton was called. Vermont.
The Continental Congress had al
ready signified its unwillingness to
recognize the grants as independent
of New York, and they therefore took
the bold step Of declaring themselves
a sovereign state; but always ready
and anxious to join the Confederation
of states If permitted so to do, and
to help fight its battles.
Soon after the battle of Hubbard.
ton, Colonel Warner joined the rem
nant of his troops at Manchester.
where he remained till General Stark
arrived; then, leaving his regiment
TO guard the mountain passes, came to
Bennington with Stark, who arrived
here on the 9Th of August 1777 and
encamped near where we now are.
After the capture of Ticonderoga
by Burgoyne, he moved his army tow
ard Albany to form a junction with
the British army coming from New
York. But this progress was slow:
for the Americans had blocked his
passage by destroying bridges, telling
trees and placing other distractions
in the roads and attacking him when
ever any of his men became detach-
ed from the main army; so that it
was not until about the time Stark
larrived at Manchester that he reach.
ed the Hudson river, near Schuyler
vile.
His supplies were getting low, and
his men had lost much of that conf
dence which they possessed before
Ithey had seen and felt at Hubbardton
the character of the men they might
lexpect to meet
Learning that there were large
quantities OF supplies here at Ben
nington such as he needed he sent
five hundred German troops with a
large number of Canadians, Tories
and Indians under Colonel Baum, to
lcapture them.
Evidently he had not heard that
STARK had crossed the Green Noun
Itains or he would have sent a larger
force than he did.
Colonel Baum arrived within few
miles of Bennington on August IA,
and learning for the first time that
STARK was there with his army, he
commenced to construct Notifications
at commanding position on high
lhill west Of the Walloomsac river and
sent word to Burgoyne for reinforce
Iments.
The battle of Bennington was not
fouht until August 10th, one hundred
land thirty-four years ago today.
There we're two battles that day,
but one followed the other in such
lquick succession they are common
Ivy SPOKEN Vi as Out one.
On the afternoon of the 10th, at 8
O'Clock, General Stark advanced and
commenced his assault on the enemy.
The plan of attack had been work
ed out so skillfully by Stark and was
lexecuted with such bravery and val
or that at five o'clock the enemy was
routed. their entertainments captured
and the first battle won.
1t was signal victory. II was the
first ray of light that had cleaned on
the cause OF American Independence
for months, and had been fought with
out the aid of federal soldier by vol
unteers from New Hampshire. the
New Hampshire Grants and Massa-
chusetts.
Even Stark was, on the 18th day
lof August censured by Congress for
not obeying General Schuylers COM
mand and Joining him at Saltwater,
Instead of going to Bennington; but
this was before II had learned of the
battle.
That Warner was by the side OF
Stark during this battle. and his SUI
perior skill in the action was of great
service TO him." General Stark him
self generously affirmed in his otiic-
ial account, made to the government
OF New Hampshire.
After the battle many OF the sold
iers were sent to guard the prison
ers that had been taken, others who
lived near started for their homes
while many others scattered over the
battle field or went where inclination
led: for Stark and his officers had moi
learned that Burgoyne had sent
= large detachment to reinforce Baum
: But he soon learned that such was
the fact, and that they were approach
ing and near at hand.
Hastily gathering such Of his scat
tered troops as he could, Stark pre-
pared to receive and repell this new
J army, which were British regulars
well armed. and under the command
! of Colonel Breyman, brave and effic
lent officer and who at once common
ced an attack on Stark's depleted for
ces. which were now so few In mum
, Der that they could not Withstand The
shock and began to give way.
IL was a critical moment; IL the en-
? envy won this second battle Stark
victory just won would be of but lit
l tie value. Stark, himself thought o
retreating before his forces were scat
tered and while he could do so II
good order, that he might renew The
! contest after he could collect his ar
my and get reinforcemtns.
But Warner opposed this, for hi
: knew that not far away his owl
! Green Mountain Boys were coming
and he knew better than Stark, bet
ter than any one else, what they coult
: do.
Soon they appeared on the scene
: and as they saw the commanding fig
ura of Warner standing on the hill