Falling short of provisions,
Burgoyne sent out an expedition from his camp on the
Hudson River to procure cattle, horses to mount
Riedesel's dragoons, to “try the affections of the country,” and to complete a corps of loyalists.
Colonel Baum led the expedition, which consisted of 800 men, comprising German dragoons and British marksmen, a body of Canadians and
Indians, some loyalists as guides, and two pieces of artillery.
They penetrated the country eastward of the
Hudson towards
Bennington, Vt., where the
Americans had gathered a considerable quantity of supplies.
At that time (August, 1777),
General Stark, disgusted because he had not been made a Continental brigadier-general, had resigned his colonelcy, taken the leadership of the New Hampshire militia, with the stipulation that he was to have an independent command, and was at
Bennington with part of a brigade.
He had lately refused to obey a command of
General Lincoln to join the main army opposing
Burgoyne.
It was a fortunate circumstance, for he did better service when
Baum approached and began to cast up intrenchments (Aug. 14, 1777) in the town-ship of hoosick,
N. Y., within about 5 miles of
Bennington.
Informed of that approach
Stark had sent expresses for
Warner's shattered regiment, and for militia, and he soon gathered many fugitives from the disaster at
Hubbardton.
The 15th was rainy.
Baum had sent back to
Burgoyne for reinforcements, and
Stark was waiting for the arrival of more expected troops from
Berkshire.
Warner joined
Stark on the morning of the 15th--he and his men drenched during a night march in the rain.
The 16th dawned bright and hot, and
Stark proceeded to execute a plan of attack on
Baum's intrenched position by dividing his force and making a simultaneous attack at different points.
The frightened
Indians with
Baum dashed through the encircling lines of the
Americans, and fled to the shelter of the woods.
After a severe contest of two hours duration, the ammunition of the Germans failed, and they attempted to break through the line of besiegers with bayonets and sabres.
In that attempt
Baum was slain and his veterans were made prisoners.
At that moment
Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman appeared with the jaded reinforcements which
Burgoyne had sent, and
Stark was joined by some fresh troops furnished by
Warner.
The cannon which had been taken from the Germans, were immediately turned upon
Breyman's men. A fierce battle continued until sunset, when
Breyman retreated, leaving all his artillery, and nearly all his wounded, behind.
The
Germans lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, nearly 1,000 men. The
Americans lost less than 100.
On Aug. 19, 1891, a monument commemorating the victory was dedicated at
Bennington.
It is a shaft of magnesian limestone, 308 feet high — the highest battle-monument in the world; and near the city the national government has since established a military post.
See
Ethan Allen, Fort.
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