CHAP. V. were by no means adequate to his wants. He 1777. had indeed secured fifty teams of oxen, but

such was the badness of the roads, rendered much worse by the great quantity of rain which had fallen, that it was often necessary to employ ten or twelve oxen on a single batteau. Even with these aids and with unremitting labour, he had only brought over twelve batteaux into the Hudson, and provisions for the army for. four days in advance, by the 15th of August."

An immediate and rapid movement down the Hudson had suggested itself to the British general as a measure of the utmost importance. In that event, the American army would not, he conceived, march up the Mohawk, because such a movement would place it between his army and that of St. Leger, and would leave Albany totally uncovered. It must therefore either risk a general action, retreat before him, or cross the Hudson into New England. Either of these events he considered as opening the whole Mohawk country to St. Leger, and securing a junction of the two armies.

The great difficulty attending the execution of his plan, and which alone embarrassed him, was, how to provision his army until it should reach the fertile and abundant country below him. The difficulty of drawing supplies from fort George would every day increase, with

the increasing distance, and additional portage; CHAP. V. and the communication, already endangered by 1777. a large body of militia assembling at White creek, could only be secured by larger detachments from his army than he was in a condition to make. The proposed movement, therefore, must either be abandoned, or some other mode of supply attempted. The latter part of the

alternative was embraced.

It was well known that the principal part of the live cattle with which the American army was supplied, was drawn from New England, and passed through Manchester, Arlington, and other parts of the Hampshire Grants, to Bennington, from whence they were occasion. ally conveyed to the American camp. A large depot of corn and of carriages had been also made at the same place, which was generally guarded by militia, varying from day to day in numbers. The possession of these magazines would enable him to prosecute his further plans without a reliance on supplies from lake George, and he determined, if practicable, to surprise and seize them."

is detached

magazines at Bennington.

Lieutenant colonel Baum, with about five Colonel Baum hundred men, was detached on this service, to seize the He had before been selected for a much more. extensive expedition. He had been destined to command a foraging party which should pro

1

CHAP. V. ceed near the borders of Connecticut river, 1777. recruiting the provincial corps on its way, and collecting horses, and provisions for the army; after which, he was to join general Burgoyne at Albany. It does not appear whether the expedition to Bennington was only a part of this larger scheme, or constituted in itself the sole object for which Baum was at present detached.

In order to facilitate this enterprise, and be ready to take advantage of its success, the movement had been made down the east side of the river, and a bridge of rafts had been thrown over the Hudson for the passage of his van, which had taken post at Saratoga. At the same time lieutenant colonel Brechman with his corps, consisting of Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs, was advanced to Batten hill, in order, if necessary, to support colonel Baum.e

On approaching Bennington, it was discovered that a much more considerable force was collected there than had been suspected. The new Hampshire militia under general Starke had fortunately reached that place on their way to camp, and uniting with colonel Warner, who, to the remnant of his continental regiment which had been engaged with Frazer after the evacuation of Ticonderoga, added a few of the

e Letter of Burgoyne.

neighbouring militia, made in the whole about CHAP. V. two thousand men.

Perceiving the danger of his situation, Baum halted about four miles from Bennington, and dispatched an express for a re-enforcement. In the mean-time, he strengthened himself as well as was in his power by intrenchments.

Lieutenant colonel Brechman was immediately ordered to his assistance; but such was the state of the roads that, though the distance was only twenty-four miles, and he continued his march unremittingly from eight o'clock in the morning of the 15th, he did not reach the ground where Baum had been encamped, until four in the afternoon of the next day.

f

1777.

in his in

by general

entirely

In the mean-time general Starke, either is attacked knowing or suspecting that a re-enforcement trenchments was marching to the aid of Baum, determined Starke, and to attack his party in their intrenchments. He routed. accordingly advanced against them; and such was the confidence of the provincials among them in the attachment of the country to the royal cause, that, while the dispositions for the attack were making, the American troops were mistaken for armed friends coming to join them. This error was soon discovered by colonel Baum, who prepared for the contest, and made a very brave resistance. His works, however, were carried by assault, and great

f Letter of Burgoyne.

CHAP. V. part of his detachment killed or taken prisoners." 1777. A few escaped into the woods, and saved themselves by flight.

Brechman

advances to

Baum's aid,

is attacked

by colonel

Warner, and defeated.

Brechman, who had advanced very near the ground on which this action was fought, without having received the smallest information of it, came up during the pursuit; and meeting the scattered remnant of Baum's corps, obtained from them the first intelligence of the disaster which had befallen him. The militia, entirely unapprehensive of danger, and unsuspicious of the approach of a new enemy, are said to have been generally dispersed collecting plunder, while a few continued to pursue the fugitives. There was not only much danger of losing all the advantages of the day, and that what had been gained from Baum would be recovered by Brechman, but that the magazines which had been the object of the expedition, would fall into the hands of that officer. Fortunately at this critical juncture colonel Warner came up with his continental regiment, and advanced upon the enemy who had already driven back such parties of the militia as had been engaged in pursuing the remnant of Baum's corps. He restored and continued the action until the main body of the militia reassembled and came up to support him. Brechman was now compelled to give way. He kept

g

& Gordon.