Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/139

 John Stark.

��131

��Vermont 500, and Massachusetts 250. Stark's plan of battle was sagacious ; somewhat irregular in its details, as looked upon from the usual military standpoint, but perfectly adapted to the frontier habits of his brave men ; and it proved eminently successful. The enemv lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 1200 men — prob- ably two thirds of his entire force in action. The loss on the American side was less than 100. The disci- plined pjuropean troops, fighting for the king's shilling, moving at the word of command like machines, and firing their muskets from the hip without aim, were no match, even when partially protected by cannon and breastworks, for the skilled marksmen of the frontier, fighting for their homes.

The Bennington battle, in point of numbers engaged, was not a great one ; but it turned the tide of war at a critical period, and led to immediate results of momentous consequence to the country. Washington wrote of it, immediately, as " the great stroke struck by Gen. Stark near Benning- ton." Bancroft's history pronounces this "victory one of the most brilliant and eventful of the war." Baroness Reidsell, then in the British camp, wrote, "this unfortunate event par- alyzed at once our operations."

On the 18th, two days after this battle. Gen. Stark forwarded his re- port, in detail, to the council of New Hampshire, and by return courier re- ceived the following letter :

State of New Hampshire In Committee of Safety Dear Sir ;

The Committee received vours of the 18th instant with the

��greatest pleasure, and have directed me to present their very sincere thanks to you, the officers and soldiers under your command, for their brave and spirited conduct, manifested in the late battle, and for the very essential service done to the country at this critical period. I hope, sir, that this success may be a prelude to greater things of the same kind ; and that heaven will yet bestow many bless- ings upon our country, through your hands.

Fervently praying that the God of armies may protect you in the day of battle, and be a shield and buckler to our countrymen under your command, and that He may give success and vic- tory to all your undertakings, I do, on behalf of the Committee, subscribe myself

Your most obedient

And very humble servant

M. Weare, Chairman.

Hon. General Stark.

The state of Vermont also address- ed to Gen. Stark the following com- plimentary letter.

From the President of the Coun- cil of Safety of the State of Ver- mont.

Bennington Sept 20th 1777.

The Council beg leave to return their sincere thanks to the Hon. Brig. Genl. John Stark for the infinite ser- vice he has been pleased to do them, in defending them and their constitu- ents from the cruelty and bloody rage of our unnatural enemy, who sought our destruction on the 16th of August last.

They also return their grateful ac- knowledgments for the honor the gen- eral has been pleased to do the Coun- cil by presenting them with one Hessian gun with a bayonet ; one broad-sword, one brass barreled drum, and a gren- adier's cap, taken on the memorable 16th of August, for the use of the State.

The general may rely upon it they

�� �