The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-07-05
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON
History Of the Battle from Pamphlet
Written by Frank w. coburn and
Published In 1917.
(Continued)
Continued
Vermont's acknowledgment.
state of Vermont, in Council of
Safafv

who sought our destruction on tn,
18th of August last. They also re
turn their grateful acknowledgment!
for the honor the General has beer
pleased to do the council, by present
ing them with one Hessian gun, with
bayonet, one broadsword, one brass
barrelled drum, and grenadier's
cap, taken on the memorable 10th Of
August, for the use of this State
The General may rely upon it, they
will be reserved for the use they
were designed.
81 am, dear General, with senti
ments Of esteem,
your most obedient humble servant
Thomas Chittenden, President
Hon Brig Gen. Stark"
Stark also presented to the Yer.
mont Council of Safety, Hessian
broadsword, as a mark of his appro-
baton of their zeal in the public
cause.
In Council of Safety, 9th Sept. 1777
"The Councils Compliments most
cordially wait on his honor, Brigadier
General Stark, with their sincere
thanks for the honor the General has
been pleased to do them, by present
ing them with Hessian broadsword,
taken by number of troops from the
State of New Hampshire, and else.
where, under his immediate com
mand, in the memorable battle,
fought in Walloomsack, near this
place. on the 10th of August last;
and also for the honor the General
has been pleased to do them, in ap-
plauding their exertions in public
veal, as Council, Joseph Fay,
Sec'y"
"Brig.-Ge Stark"
The comparative strength of forces
can never be accurately known
Stark had under his command, most
likely, between seventeen hundred
and eighteen hundred men; but they
were mostly what might be termed
raw militia, who not only worked
under the disadvantage of no exper.
fence, or but very little, but also
without full and complete equipments
as possessed by the enemy. Baum
had nearly six hundred men, not
counting his Indian allies, which we're
an hundred and fifty more. Breyman,
without doubt, had thousand men I;
and so, as nearly as we can deter.
mine. the forces were not far from
being equal. Possibly the Americans
were little the stronger, to the
amount of Warmers regiment, but
the enemys superior military equip
ments and knowledge more THAI off
set this number. The only way TO &C
count for our victory on that day is
to attribute IL TO the superior tact OF
our officers, and the hardy yalor and
determined bravery of our men.
Official Report Of General Stark to
New Hampshire Council.
Bennington, August 18th, 1777
"Gentlemen,--I congratulate you
on the late success of your troops
under my command, by express.
propose TO give you brief account
OF my proceedings, since wrote to
you last.
81 left Manchester, VT, on the 9Th
instant, and arrived here on the 9Th
The 18th was informed that a party
of Indians were at Cambridge, which
i is twelve miles distant from this
place, on their march thither de-
tached Col Gregg, with two hundred
men under his command, to stop
their march.
In the evening, had information
! by express, that there was O large
body of the enemy on their way
with field-pieces, in order to march
through the country, commanded by
Governor Skeene. The 14th,
marched with my brigade, and por
ton of the State militia, to oppose
them, and cover Gregg's retreat, who
found himself unable to withstand
their superior numbers About -four
miles from this town, | accordingly
met him on his return, and the
enemy in close pursuit OF him, with
in a half mile of his rear; but wher
they discovered me, they presently
halted on a very advantageous piece
of ground.
II drew up my little army, on al
eminence in view of their encamp
ment, but could not bring them to al
engagement marched back abou
a mile, and there encamped. sen
a few men to skirmlsh with them
who killed thirty of them, with two
Indian chiefs. The 18th it rained al
day; sent out parties to harrasl
them.
"The 10th, was joined by this
States tVt) militia, and those o
Berkshire county. divided my arm!
into three divisions, and sent Lieut.
Col. Nichols with two hundred anC
fifty men on the rear Of their lef
wing, Colonel Herrick on the rear o
their right, ordered when joined, 4
attack the same. In the meantime
| sent three hundred men to Oppose
the enemy's front, to draw their at
tention that way. Soon after, de
tached Colonies Hubbard ana Stick
Iney on their right wing, with tw,
hundred men, to attack that part
all which plans had their desired ef
feet. Colonel Nichols sent me wor,
that he stood in need Of reinforce
ment, which readily granted, con
sisting Of one hundred men; at whicl
time he commenced the attack, pre-
ciely at three o'clock in hte after
noon, which was followed by all tn,
rest. pushed forward the remand
err with all speed.
Our people behaved with thu
greatest spirit and bravery imagin
able. Had they been Alexanders o
Charleses of Sweden, they could no
have behaved better.
"The action lasted two hours; a
the expiration of which time we fore
cd their breastworks, at the mugzl
of their guns; took two pieces o
brass cannon, with number o
prisoners; but before could &c
them into proper form again, re