The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-19
Continued


. 3me OF the regimental enlistment
Id expired He succeeded. however.
IA getting them to remain for brief
|rod, and fastened himself to New
f hampshire, to recruit others for the
8rvice. 1t was while engaged in this
f udable enterprise, that the news
"a me to him of the omission of his
& hme on the new promotion list
disappointed and almost angry, he
& Ent in his resignation, and returned
! his farm, to follow the avocations
4 a peaceful life His letter address
to the New Hampshire Council,
#lly expresses his feelings at that
3me.
3ro the Honb'I the Council and House
of Representative for the State
Of New Hampshire in General
Court assembled"
f Ever since hostilitles commenced,
have as in me lay, endeavoured to
revent my Country from being raw
3ged and enslaved by our cruel and
Unnatural Enemy. have undergone
be hardships and fatigues of two
campaigns with cheerfulness and
lacrity. ever enjoying the pleasing
.atisfaction that | was doing my God
Ind my country the greatest service
by abilities would admit of, and it
Fas with the utmost gratitude that
accepted the important command to
which this state appointed me.
Bhould have served with the greatest
pleasure, more especially at this i'm
bortant crisis, when our Country
balls for the utmost exertions of
livery American, but am extremely
brieved that feel bound in honor to
cave the service, Congress having
thought fit to promote junior officers
bver my head, so that | should show
myself unworthy the honor conferred
bn me, and a want of that spirit
should glow In the breast of every
Dfficer appointed by this Honorable
House, in not suitably resenting an
Indignity must, Though grieved
TO leave the service OF my Country
beg leave to resign my commission,
hoping that you will make choice
Of some gentleman who may honor
The cause and his country to sue
coed.
your most obedient and much
obliged humble servant,
John Stark"
The council passed the following
vote, March q, 1777
Voted, that the thanks of both
houses in the convention, be given
10 Col. Stark, for his good services
IN the present war, and from his
early and steadfast attachments to
he cause OF his country, they make
not the least doubt that his future
conduct in whatever state of life
Providence may place him, will mani
lest the same noble disposition of
mind"
In response TO Vermont's call for
lid, the Assembly OF New Hampshire
formed the whole state militia into
.wo brigades, giving the command
If the first to William Whipple and
IF the second to John Stark In ac-
,epting this command Stark had hes
tated, still smarting under the neg
ect of the Continental Congress. Up
IN being assured that his name was
/ power in itself among the soldiers,
md above all, upon being urged to
accept as a duty he owed to his coun-
.ry, he could no longer resist the Of
er. He accepted, however, on the
condition that he should not be res
)onsible to the Continental Congress,
Tor to any officers acting under that
honorable body, but to only the New
Assembly. His terms
we're readily agreed TO, and he went
It once to work
State of New Hampshire,
Saturday, July 10, 1777
"To Brig. Gen. John Stark,-You
ire hereby required to repair to
Charlestown, No. 4, so as to be there
~ the 24th-Thursday, next, to
meet and confer with persons appoint
ID by the convention of the State of
Vermont, relative to the route of the
.roops under your command, their
)eing supplied with provisions, and
uture operations-and when the
roops are collected at No 4, you are
o take the command of them and
march into the state of Vermont and
here act in conjunction with the
roops OF that state, or any other of
he states, or of the United States,
,r separately as it shall appear ex-
)edient to you for the protection OF
he people or the annoyance OF the
enemy, and from time to time, as oc-
,asion shall require, send intelligence
o the Gen Assembly or Committee
If Safety of your operations, and the
nanoeuvres of the enemy.
IN. Weare."
Col Warner, now stationed at Man
chester was using his every exertion
o collect troops for immediate ser
,ice. In his circular for aid, issued
% the commanders of the militia in
and Worcester Counties
n Massachusetts,, he says, The num-
Der of Troops we have at present col
ected. don't exceed 500, and unless
We have speedy help, (should the
enemy APPROACH we must be oDlg-
I'd to retreat before them and leave
hem to possess a great part OF what
we have. You may conclude the
Frontiers will be where there is
2odv of Troops sufficient to stand the
snemy. All are desired to bring Ket-
les and utensils for Cooking" TO
stark. from the same place, he
wrote. 81 can, by no means, be able
10 make a stand without assistance.
Il is therefore of the most pressing
Importance, that your troops be lot
warded to this place with as much
axpedition as possible. The Council