The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-17

the 18th that Baum left for Benning
ton. The great object, as expressed
in his instructions, was TO obtain
horses and cattle, but when his de-
parture drew near at hand, the CON
slderation of provisions arose, and so
these same instructions were modifi-
ed a little.
That afternoon, at four o'clock,
they arrived at the Batten XIII, and
encamped. It was at this place that
the fifty chasseurs overlook them,
that Burgoyne had sent out as a rein
forcement At FIVE the next morn
ing Baum again moved forward tow
ards Cambridge, sending ahead a
force of thirty provincials and fifty
Indians to surprise an American
army-guard, with some cattle, that
he had heard were stationed there,
which succeeded in capturing five
prisoners. Arriving at Cambridge,
Baum captured a number of horses,
cattle, wagons and carts, and then
sent word back to Burgoyne as to his
progress, and the success he haG met
with, not forgetting to inform him,
also, that it had been rumored there
we're at least eighteen hundred men
assembled at Bennington, ready to
receive him. Upon receiving this
communication, Burgoyne replied as
follows
General Burgoyne to Lieutenant
Colonel Baum.
Near Saratoga, IA August, 1777.'
Sir"
1.-THE accounts you have given me
are very satisfactory, and doubt
not every proceedings under your d.
rection will be the same | beg the
favor of you TO report whether the
route you have marched will be prac-
ticabe with a large corps of cannon,
without repair, or with what sort OF
repair The desirable circumstances
for your corps is, at present, to
possess Bennington; but should you
/ find the enemy too strongly posted,
and maintaining such countenance
as would make a coup de main haz-
ardous, / wish you to take such a
post as you can maintain till you
/ hear further from me; and upon your
reports and other circumstances,
will either support you in force or
withdraw you.
you will please send to my camp,
as soon as you can, wagons, and
draught-cattle. and likewise such
other cattle as are not necessary for
your subsistence. Let the wagons
and carts bring off what flour and
wheat they can, that you do not re
tain for the same purpose. will
write to you in full tomorrow in re
gard to purchasing horses out of the
hands OF the sayages. In the mean
time let them be assured that what
ever you select from them, fit tc
mount the dragons, shall be paid fol
at proper price.
81 am &c,
John Burgoyne"
To aid Baum, in case he needed it
! General Burgoyne, at s o'clock on the
18th day of August, ordered Col
Breyman with a large force, consist
ing of a company OF yagers. and &
battalion of chasseuTs and grenadier'
TO follow and act as REINFORCE
ment. He had himself moved The
main army down the east bank Of tn,
Hudson, and the advanced corps sue
ceeded in crossing over on bridge
OF RATS, and encamped near Sarato
ga. The difficulty Breymans troop
experienced in crossing the Batter
Kill, the muddy roads and rain,
weather prevented them from reach
ing Cambridge that day, and so the,
encamped seven miles from tina
place. lie had, before reaching tn
nights encampment, despatched al
express to Col Baum, informing hin
OF his proposed assistance, the repl
to which he received the next morn
ing.
The process OF the invading arm
had been watched with a great dea
of interest by the inhabitants throug
whose territory it passedThe alarr
spread rapidly far into New Yorl
and on the other side, even beyon
the Green Mountains 10 the Connect
cut river. The spirit that goyerne
the people was generally one of bi
ter opposition, although many sui
% missiyely took the oath OF allegianc
/ for the sake of protecting their fam
lies, it was alleged, but the truth
t they were inspired more by Gov
? ardice than any of the benefits of p,
Z Icy. Some OF these were loud
1 their denHnciations of the course pu
sued by the Parliament Of Great Bri
5 ain, but when the opportunity cam
p TO yindicate their opinions. it was di
e covered they did not believe
: war; that they had rather subm
+ to "trihing wrongs than to take u
arms against their brothers Ten,
t er consideration! Burgoyne foun,
e much to his dismay, and by bitter e
f perience, that these people existed
5 small minority. He had tlattere
r himself that his "Proclamations
t would at once convince the create
: portion of the inhabitants the nee
l. lessness of rebellion the folly Of an
;, kind of opposition the sublime mere
r. of the KING This mistake did NJ
t. fully dawn upon his mind at ono
n but required the battle of Benningto
e to develop In a private letter
: Lord George German, dated Augu
10th. 1777. he says, whatever Il
n Kings forces point, militia to Il
o amount of three or four thousand a
O semble in twenty.four hours the
L, hiring with them their subsistence