Bennington
                                                                   (1777)
                                                                                            
                                                                                            (Plaque dedicated to the 1st Battle of Bennington by the State of New York)
The Bennington Battlefield is in New York, but there are several things, which occurred in the vicinity of Bennington that gives it historical prominence
.
This land is no stranger to the British or Germans, for on the 7th of July, General Simon Fraser's troops stunned Col. Seth Warner's troops in a vicious morning battle at Hubberton. The American rally and it seems that the Americans will win the day, when a detachment of Hessians under Gen. von Riedesel comes to the British relief. The American flank cave and Warner orders his troops to scatter. In addition, the Americans loose Ft. Ticonderoga, as well as St. Clair. The British are under the false assumption that all Rebel activity in the area has evaporated.

 

General Burgoyne has been slowed to less than a mile a day on his advance to Albany. Less than 10 miles from Saratoga, with dwindling supplies and provisions, he sends a detachment of von Riedesel's troops to act as a foraging party to acquire meat and horses. It is Burgoynes' intentions that this is just not a foraging party, but to go to Manchester, where he believe Col. Seth Warner is held up, as well as to garner tory support.
Lt. Col. Friedrich Baum is set to lead the expedition with 800 troops, 1/2 of the German, with an odd assortment of Canadians, Tories and Indians. Burgoyne then changes the objective of the expedition to the supply depot of Bennington.


 

On the 8th of August, General John Stark occupies the important depot of Bennington with his New Hampshire troops. On the 14th, General Stark send a detachment to Owl Creek, where his intelligence have told him that Indians are looting, killing cows and destroying property. Unfortunately, Starks' man run headlong into Baums' main party, and pushes the Americans from the field. Baum, overconfident, send Burgoyne word that he will have the captured supplies shortly.

The next day Stark receives 400 reinforcements from Col. Seth Warner's Vermont Militia. This increases Stark's force to over 2000 men, but weather has delayed action.

The Americans plan to circle Baums' troops and attack from all sides.
Baum makes the fatal mistake upon seeing the American troops in civilian clothes that they are loyal tory subjects, and withdraws his guards.

John Stark leads a frontal assault, driving the British/Germans back. Some Germans remain well entrenched on a hilltop, and after 2 hours of fighting, start to run low on ammunition. Baums' troops all retreat except for his dragoons, who lead a saber charge, where Baum is mortally wounded. The British and German troops, with no hope, surrender.

Stark's men winning the day, pursue the fleeing redcoats, but they are met by reinforcements Burgoyne had sent at Baum request. Meeting the troops of Lt. Col. Heinrich von Breymann, the Americans try to skirmish. Stark, painfully aware of the changing battlefield, tries to regroup his men. Additional troops from Manchester of Seth Warner's Militia  join the fray. The increased number of the Americans forces von Breymann to retreat. The total casualties for the day are 200 British/Germans dead, 700 prisoners, with the American looses at 70.


(Hill from the Bennington Monument)   (Bennington Monument)             (Bennington Monument)
 
 
 

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