The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-08

had been sent by General Burgoyne to capture
the large stores of supplies that had been placed
in this little Vermont village The sesQuicenten-
NAL celebration Of this American victory is OF
particular interest for more reasons than one. 1t
is high spot in the history of the Green Noun
tain state but its historical Importance is far
greater than that of an event in the history Of
one state, or of the three states, Vermont, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts,, all of which have
a share in the glory Of that victory.
For one thing, Bennington was an important
event in the campaign which proved to be the
turning point of the American Revolution. The
defeat of Baum and the failure to capture the
supplies which Burgoyne SO sorely needed was
the second blow that had been struck at the am
bilious plan of this British general to split the
colonies by cutting off the head' of the rebellion,
New England from the rest. The first blow had
been struck ten days earlier when the expedition
of Col. Barry st. Leger failed before FIT Schuyler
in western New York. Sesquicentennial celebra-
tons of this part of the campaign-the Battle of
Orskany and the successful defense of TT. Schuy-
ler-will also be held this summer These cele-
brations and the one at Bennington are pre-
liminary to the one which will be held in October
at Saratoga where was fought one Of the Fifteen
Decisive Battles of the World, and where the
final downfall of Burgoyne took place. Since Ben
nington was one of the steps which led to Sara
:oga the celebration there this summer has
uOn-wide significance
In recognition of that fact there formed
some time ago United States-Vermont sesQui-
centennial commission of which President Cool
idge Is a member and this commission, co-operat-
ing with the Vermont State Sesquicentennial
commission, headed by John Spargo, who is also
president Of the Vermont Historical society and
of the Bennington Battle Monument and His
torcal association, will have charge of the dual
sesquicentennial anniversary. that of the indie
pendence of Vermont, and Of the Battle of Ben
nington In honor of these events the United
States government has Issued commemorative
half dollar and early in August will issue COM
memorative postage stamp.
In addition to these, the local association has
issued another medal, designed by Charles Keck,
reproductions of which are shown above Five
hundred of these medals in bronze have been
struck off and they have already taken a high
place among the rarties and much sought
after by numismatists
On the medal shown above appears Fay's
Tavern, which was the headquarters of the Coun-
ell of Safety at the time of the battle and there
General Stark held his most important councils
of war The victory wreath of laurel surrounding
the Tavern bears the names of some Of the pa
triots prominently identified with the battle. Three
names are especially notable since they represent
the states of New Hampshire, Vermont and Massa-
chusetts. New Hampshire is represented by the
name of General Stark since that state had given
him the rank of general and placed him in COM
mand Of its militia Vermont is represented by
Col. Seth Warner, commander of the Vermont
forces and said to be the real victor at the bat
tie The name Allen at the bottom in the center,
stands for Parson Allen of Massachusetts,. The
other names those of the captains of the local
companies of militia and the local victims who
persisted on the field On the reverse side of the
medal is a Green Mountain Boy with his fire.
lock poised, guarding the Stars and Stripes.
The appearance of the Stars and Stripes on this