Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/102

 82 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

Young Stark withstood the baptism of fire on the dreadful following day without harm. One man was killed by his side, but he fought on, handling his musket with skill and execution in his country's cause. Just before the battle, as the British troops were marching up the hill, Col. Stark determinedly stepped out in front of his regiment, some forty yards, and thrust a stick into the ground ; then returning to his line he said : "There, don't a man fire till the red coats come up to that stick ; if he does, I will knock him down." Of course none dared to disobey the bluff old ranger, and not a man fired till the British reached the stick and Stark gave the word "fire." The New Hampshire troops occu- pied the most dangerous position on the field, and probably did most of the fighting. If the other parts of the lines had been defended with equal bravery, it is not too much to assume that the entire British force would have been driven down the hill or completely annihilated. In front of that brush fence behind which Stark and. his men stood, there was literally a harvest field of death. When retreat was inevitable, the New Hampshire troops retired from the field with the order of veteran troops.

Caleb Stark remained with his father during the rest of the campaign. Their head-quarters were at the famous Royall house, and the ladies of the family, graceful and high-toned Tory beauties, proved themselves charming hostesses. So young Stark not only acquired the military discipline of the cadet, but, in the society of the educated and noble royalists, fell under the most favorable influences in the formation of his habits and manners. He grew in grace and in knowledge.

In the fall of 1776, he received his first commission as ensign in Capt. Reade's company. He accompanied Gen. Sullivan to Canada the next May, where that officer rendered important service in checking the advance of Sir Guy Carleton, nnd covering the retreat of Arnold's forces from their ill fated attack on Quebec. In July, Abiel Chandler, the adjutant of the First N. H. Regiment, died of small pox. Ensign Stark was at once appointed to the vacancy, with the rank of lieutenant. He was then not seventeen years of age, but was already distinguished for his energy and promptness, and for his pro- ficiency in the details of military duty.

Adjutant Stark was at Ticonderoga with his regiment, then commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley, in the summer of 1777. As Burgoyne's forces came sweep- ing downward, the American army retreated before them. Not long after the evacuation of Ticonderoga, Gen. Gates took the command of the northern department, over the head of Gen. Schuyler. Speedily succeeded the battle of Bennington, won by Gen. Stark mainly with New Hampshire troops. Young Stark was at Gates' head-quarters, with a message from Col. Cilley, when the intelligence of that brilliant victory was received by express. An aid-de-camp told Gates that a son of Gen. Stark was awaiting an interview with him. "Is that so?" said Gates, "call him in." The adjutant was introduced, and the general said : "I am glad to see you, my boy. Your father has opened the way for us nobly. In less than two months we shall capture Burgoyne's army. Don't you wish to see your father? "

"If my regimental duties would permit, I should be glad to visit him/' an- swered Stark.

" In that case I will find an officer to perform your duties, and you may go with the party I shall despatch to Bennington, and convey a message from me to your father. I want the artillery he has taken for the brush I soon expect to have with Burgoyne."

Young Stark at once started with the party, and reaching Bennington in safety had the pleasure of congratulating his father personally on his glorious achievement. After a few days absence, he rejoined his regiment, which was

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