Page:The Hessians and the other German auxiliaries of Great Britain in the revolutionary war.djvu/176

 158 retreated, in some confusion, and all the cannon with the reconnoissance were left behind.

The retreating party threw themselves into a redoubt and maintained their position for the rest of the afternoon, in spite of the repeated and desperate attacks of the Americans.

Lieutenant-colonel Breymann held a small redoubt on the extreme right of the position of the army. His corps had been reduced by the losses sustained at Bennington and on the 19th of September to about five hundred men, and three hundred of these had made part of the reconnoissance, and were now driven back with the rest of the soldiers of that party into the large redoubt of the right wing. The part of the British line which connected Breymann's redoubt with the main position was also cleared of men. The Americans made their way through this gap in the line, Breymann and his two hundred men were attacked in flank and rear, the lieutenant-colonel was shot dead, and the men were put to flight or taken prisoners.

When news of this reached the main body, some of the Englishmen grumbled at the conduct of their German allies. Angry at this, Lieutenant-colonel von Speth got together four officers and about fifty men, and started off through the dark woods to retake Breymann's redoubt. He lost his way and was led by a treacherous guide into the hands of the Americans.

The Americans fought on this day with great valor,