need of providing defence for the frontiers, and with whole-hearted patriotism thus addressed them: "I have three thousand dollars in hard money; I will pledge my plate for three thousand more. I have seventy hogsheads of Tobago rum, which shall be sold for the most it will bring. These are at the service of the state. If we succeed in defending our fire-sides and homes I may be remunerated; if we do not, the property will be of no value to me. Our old friend Stark, who so nobly sustained the honor of our state at Bunker Hill, may be safely entrusted with the conduct of the enterprise, and we will check the progress of Burgoyne." This brave son of New Hampshire, conceiving himself aggrieved by certain action of Congress in appointing junior officers over his head, had resigned his commission. He was now prevailed upon to take service under authority from his native state, it being understood that he was to act independently as to his movements against the enemy. Stark's popularity speedily called in the militia, who were ready to take the field under him without hesitation.
Soon after, Stark proceeded to Manchester, twenty miles north of Bennington, where Colonel Warner had taken post with the troops under his command. Here he met General Lincoln, who had been sent by Schuyler to lead the militia to the west bank of the Hudson. Stark refused to accede to Schuyler's demand, and Congress, on the 19th of August, passed a vote of censure upon his conduct. But Stark did not know of this; and as his course was clearly that of sound policy, and his victory two days before the censure cast upon him showed it to be so he had the proud satisfaction of knowing that the commander-in-chief approved of his plan of harassing the rear of the British, and that the victory of Bennington paralyzed the entire operations of Burgoyne.
On the day that Baum set out Stark arrived at Bennington. The progress of the German troops, at first tolerably prosperous, was soon impeded by the state of the roads and the weather, and as soon as Stark heard of their approach he hurried off expresses to Warner to join him, who began his march in the night. After sending forward Colonel Gregg to reconnoitre the enemy, he advanced to the rencontre with Baum, who finding the country thus rising around him, halted and entrenched himself in a strong position above the Wollamsac River, and sent off an express to Burgoyne, who instantly dispatched Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman with a strong reinforcement.
During the 15th of August, the rain prevented any serious movement.[1] The
- ↑ An anecdote connected with this battle is worth relating. Among the reinforcements from Berkshire county, came a clergy man, with a portion of his flock, resolved to make bare the arm of flesh against the enemies of the country. Before daylight on the morning of the 16th, he addressed the commander as follows: "We the people of Berkshire have been frequently called upon to fight, but have never been led against the enemy. We have now resolved, if you will not let us fight, never to turn out again." General Stark asked; him, "if he wished to march then, when it was dark and rainy." "No," was the answer. "Then," continued Stark, "if the Lord should once more give us sunshine, and I do not give you fighting enough. I will never ask you to come
