The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1927-10-05
BENNINGTON OR SARATOGA?

A controversy has developed between New
York and New England orators and scrbes as 70
whether the Battle CT Saratoga or the Battle Of
bennington was the turning point of the Revc
utlonary War ana entitled to the distinction
of being called one Of me decisive battles Of
the worlds history View York has always
claimed the honor for Saratoga. and she has
the authority of crsasys Fifteen Decisive Bat
Hes on her side But back in August Gov.
spanlding of New Hampshire. dedicatng monn-
ment for Gen John stark declared that Ben
nington turned The tide of the Revolution and
was therefore zone of The decisive battles in
the history Of the world vermonters have ever
stlbborny contended for this crown OF fame fol
bennington and Gen. Stark.
The contention has brought forth some Mo
hawk claimants for oriskany and Gen Nicholas
Herkimer as the scene and the hero of Am
ercas success in her war for independence.
The truth is of course, that both Bennington
and Stark's victory and Ornskany and Herk-
mer's success were important events in the Sara
toga campaign. They were important in three
directions Burgoyne's army lost severely at
both battles They prevented him from procuring
food for his men and fodder for his horses OF
which they in sad need. they encour-
aged the local inhabitants to believe that ii
would be possible to defeat the main army, and
they gathered around Gen. Gates in such num-
bers that in the Battle of Saratoga he had 49,
900 men with which to confront Burgoyne's
5000 or 1000 The climax Of the campaign
was of course, the surrender of Burgoynes army
at Saratoga Springs October II. Here was the
decisive battle. The Bennington and Oriskany
victories helped to pave the way for American
success at the battles of Freeman's Farm (Sep-
TENDER 1877 and Bemis Heghths October y
which were followed by the siege of Burgoyne
at Saratoga Springs and his surrender in advance
of the general attack, which he knew to be
inevitable and which he knew could only result
in the destruction of his force.
Upon his arrival at saltwater, Gen Burgoyn'
sent Col Barry st. Ledger with a force OF mer
into the Mohawk Valley in search of supplies
He encountered Gen. Herkimer at Oriskany, Aug
ust 6, 1777, and suffered severe defeat, losing
more than half of his force before he escaped
the clutches of the New York Dutch farmers
and their skfull commander. week later
August 1s, Burgoyne dispatched force. mostl.
hired Hessians under Col. Friedrich Baum, t.
capture stores known to be assembled at Ben
nington Vermont. There, on August 10
Gen Stark fell upon the British and Hessian
and overwhelmed them. Col. Baum was killes
and much of his force killed or captured
the battle was about over, Col. Breyman, witt
rejnforcements for Col Baum, appeared on tn
scene and was routed. The loss to Burgoyne wa
about 900 men, and, following so closely upol
realized the danger of the predcament in whicl
his army was being drawn. Gen. Philip Schuyler
who gradually fell back, was able through
destroying bridges and falling timber and other
wise blocking the roads he retreated, t
retard the advance OF the invader until tn
American forces that were mobilizng in the Vi
entity of Saratoga IN great numbers under Ar
mold Poor and Morgan, Gen. Horatio Gatess lead
ing commanders more than double IN
~ I'm
Then tollowndthe battles which brought disaster
to the Bnrgoyne invasion, made fame for Schuyler
Herkimer stark, Poor and Morgan, and woul
have made Arnold name to be reyered IN An
ercan history if it had not been for late
treason. They made oriskany, Bennington, Free
s mans Farm Benis Heighths aud saratog
Springs historic ground and amply justihe
the Sesquicentcnnia Celebrations that are bein
observed on them this year. In the words G
Admiral Schley there is glory enough for all.
.Nror1yrrD TuppV JR RJUI