The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-09-01
WON BY vMRMoNTERs
Only New Workers at Battle of Ben
nngton Were the Tories

Only New Workers at Battle of Ben
nington Were the Tories
d. X. Simonds of Manchester, for
mer editor of the Journal and an auth
olity on state history, writes The
Rutland Herald as follows in regard
TO the location OF the battle of Ben
nington.
was amused but interested in the
communication from Hoosick Falls in
regard to the Bennington battle
ground. Your COZ. respondent evident
ly was not very well informed. There
was a controversy years ago about
the name of the battle, New York
people claiming that, inasmuch as it
was fought on New York soil, it
should not be called the Battle OF
Remington but the Battle Of IIoosick
or the Battle of the Walloomsac No
one ever claimed it was not fought
on New York soil
Having been appointed by the Man
chester Development society to write
history of the town had occasion
to examine all the old histories and
documents pertaining to those times
could find and they established with
out question the following facts: In
l775, before the Battle of Bunker
Hill, the forts of Ticonderoga and
Crown Point were captured by par
ty OF Nermonters under Ethan Allen
This was done to protect our north
ern frontier from attacks by way OF
Canada Both forts were very strong
and both were on New York soil and
not man from tho state OF New
York assisted in thei capture. When
the forts were evacuated by st. Clair
in 1777 the northern fronte, was
again exposed. AN the settlers fled
south and Manchester became u from
tier town. Small detachments with
slight defences were lett at Rutland
and Castleton TO observe The enemy.
When Burgoyne's army had riv-
ed after many hardships, n SILVIA
ter, their horses had nearly all per
ished in the wilderness, his men were
Ii ed out and nearly famished ana lie
could not advance another step with
out rest and supplies of food. lie
learned from Tory renegades that a
large supply had been collected az
Bennington for the use of the Con
tincntal army II he could obtain this
supply he could proceed with his
splendid army otherwise its destcuc-
ton would only be a question of time.
lie at once despatched Col Baum
with about 1000 of his best soldiers,
who had seen service on the battle
fields of Europe, 10 Bennington. They
arrived within about four miles of
Siark's encampment without opposi-
ten. Here they were met by band
of Tories who informed them that
S ark had arrived at Bennington With
a large force OF militia. Baum dis
pissed militia but 1t would not do 10
take any chances and he sent swift
courier to Burgoyno for help. which
was sent at once.
In the meantime Vermonters were
not idle Fearing an attack the Coun-
ell OF Safety had sent TO New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts for help.
which was sent promptly and arrived
just in time The writer's grandla,h-
or was among the Massachusetts mi
litia. His service as recorded in The
books OF the Massachusetts Histo IT,
cal society was as follows: Enlisted.
Stark's Alarm. August, 1777, dischars
ed Hoosick, y. Y, August 30, l17I Il
seems that the troops remained three
days after the battle to bury the dead
and to make sure of no further attack
The action was carefully planned by
Stark. Detachments wee sent around
to the south and to the north 10 al
tack on all sides at once. The attack
was intended to have been made a
day earlier than IL was made but a
hcavv rain prevented. Flint.lock mus
kets we're not effective in vcy
rainy weather The British had I'M
provea ihe time in const,uctins a
very strong redoubt on the top of a
hill, of logs and dirt, in a command
ing position. The Tory contingent
was stationed on the opposite side OF
the river where they had thrown up
slight defences. The Indians were
placed still fartha to the right SO
their right flank was strongly pro-
tected but the two last forces ran
away at the first fire and were no
more seen.
The action lasted two hours and
was very hot. The British did not
surrender until half their forces were
killed or wounded. including their
commander Two hundred and seven
dead we're buried on the field and 659
'isoners were taken to Bennington.
heard 10 the westward. Stark knew
it was the reinforcement sent by Bur
goyne and called together his scatter
ed troops. but SEINE had gone beyond
recall
Very luckily Warmers regiment of
regulars. which had been delayed.
Camo upon the field and turned the