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=_Jared Sparks, 1794-1866._= (Manual, p. 490.)

From “The Life of General Stark.”

=_124._= THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.

The German troops with their battery were advantageously posted upon a rising ground, at a bend in the Wollamsac (a tributary of the Hoosac), on its north bank.  The ground fell off to the north and west, a circumstance of which Stark skilfully took advantage.  Peters’ corps of Tories were entrenched on the other side of the stream, in lower ground, and nearly in front of the German Battery.  The little river, that meanders through the scene of the action, is fordable in all places.  Stark was encamped upon the same side of it as the Germans, but, owing to its serpentine course, it crossed his line of march twice on his way to their position.  Their post was carefully reconnoitered at a mile’s distance, and the plan of attack was arranged in the following manner.  Colonel Nichols, with two hundred men, was detached to attack the rear of the enemy’s left, and Colonel Herrick, with three hundred men, to fall upon the rear of their right, with orders to form a junction before they made the assault.  Colonels Hubbard and Stickney were also ordered to advance with two hundred men on their right, and one hundred in front, to divert their attention from the real point of attack.  The action commenced at three o’clock in the afternoon, on the rear of the enemy’s left, when Colonel Nichols, with great precision, carried into effect the dispositions of the commander.  His example was followed by every other portion of the little army.  General Stark himself moved forward slowly in front, till he heard the sound of the guns from Colonel Nichols’ party, when he rushed upon the Tories, and in a few moments the action became general.  “It lasted,” says Stark, in his official report, “two hours, and was the hottest I ever saw.  It was like one continued clap of thunder.”  The Indians, alarmed at the prospect of being enclosed between the parties of Nichols and Herrick, fled at the commencement of the action, their main principle of battle array being to contrive or to escape, an ambush, or an attack in the rear.  The Tories were soon driven over the river, and were thus thrown in confusion on the Germans, who were forced from their breast-work.  Baum made a brave and resolute defence.  The German dragoons, with the discipline of veterans, preserved their ranks unbroken, and, after their ammunition was expended, were led to the charge by their Colonel with the sword; but they were overpowered and obliged to give way, leaving their artillery and baggage on the field.

They were well enclosed in two breast-works, which, owing to the rain on the 15th, they had constructed at leisure.  But notwithstanding this protection, with the advantage of two pieces of cannon, arms and ammunition in perfect order, and an auxiliary force of Indians, they were driven from their entrenchments by a band of militia just brought to the field, poorly armed, with few bayonets, without field-pieces, and with little discipline.  The superiority of numbers on the part of the Americans, will, when these things are considered, hardly be thought to abate anything from the praise due to the conduct of the commander, or the spirit and courage of his men.