REV THOMAS ALLEN.
1V99.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Independence of tne State of Vermont
AND THE
AUGUST 75 and 16, 1877.
WESTMINSTER--HUBBARDTON--WINDSOR.
TUTTLE & CO., RUTLAND,
OFFICIAL PRINTERS AND STATIONERS TO THE STATE OF VERMONT. A
1879.
CONTENTS.
PRELIMINARY AERANGEMENTS.
Act of Incorporation, 2
Organization of Bennington Historical Society, .... 4
Vermont Centennial Commission, 6
Address of the Commission, 7
VERMONT DAY.
The Procession, 12
Exercises at the Oration Tent, 17
Prayer by Rev. Isaac Jennings, 17
Address of E. J. Phelps, the President, 20
Oration of Daniel Roberts, 22
Poem of Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr, 39
Address of Gen. Joseph R. Hawley, 48
Address of Ex-Gov. Walter Harriman, 49
Address of Gen. N. P. Banks, 51
Address of Gov. Selden Connor, 53
Address of Gov. Charles C. Van Zandt, 54
Reception of the President of the United States, ... 55
BENNINGTON BATTLE DAY, 56
The Procession, 57
President Hayes' Review, . . 65
Prayer by Rev. John Wheelock Allen, 66
Hymn " America," .... 68
Address of Gov. Horace Fairbanks, 69
Oration of Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D. D., 69
Ode of William Cullen Bryant, 94
Ode of Mrs. Maria Mason, 95
Address of President Hayes, . 95
Address of Hon. William M. Evarts, 96
Address of Hon. David M. Key, 96
iv Contents.
Page.
Address of Gen. Charles Devens, . ...... 97
Address of Eon. E. W. Stoughton, 98
THE DINNER, 99
Remarks of E. J. Phelps, the President, 99
Response of President Hayes, 100
Letter of Lord Dufferin, 101
Response of Hon. William M. Evarts, 102
Response of Gov. B. F. Prescott, 104
Response of Hon. E. W. Stoughton, 107
Response of Gov. Horace Fairbanks, 108
Response of Hon. Geo. F. Edmunds, 108
Response of Hon. David M. Key, 109
Response of Hon. Charles Devens, 109
Response of Hon. Justin S. Merrill, Ill
Response of Hon. Thomas Allen, 112
Response of Lieut.-Gov. Horatio G. Knight, . . . . 119
Response of Rev. S. C. Bartlett, D. D., 121
LETTERS FROM INVITED GUESTS, 122
Letter from Gen. P. H. Sheridan, 122
Letter from Gov. J. E. Johnson of Virginia, .... 123
Letter from Gov. R. H. Hubbard of Connecticut, . . 123
Letter from Gov. B. B. Hubbard of Texas, .... 124
Letter of Gov. James D. Williams of Indiana, . . . 124
Letter from Gov. Henry M. Mathews of West Virginia, 125
Letter from Gov. Z. B. Vance of North Carolina, . . 125
Letter from Gov. A. H. Colquitt of Georgia, .... 126
Letter from- Gov. James B. McCreary of Kentucky, . . 126
Letter from Gov. J. M. Stone of Mississippi, . . . . 127
Letter from Gov. W. B. Miller of Arkansas, .... 127
Letter from Gov. James B. Porter of Tennessee, . . . 128
Letter from Hon. Stanley Mathews of Ohio, .... 128
Letter from Hon. T. F. Bayard of Delaware, .... 129
Letter from Gen. J. A. Garfield of Ohio, 129
Letter of Greeting from Michigan, 130
Letter from Rev. E. H. Chapin, D. D., of New York, . 131
Contents. v
Page.
Letter from George William Curtis of New York, . . 131
Letter from Rev. Leonard Bacon of New Haven, . . . 131
Letter from John G. Whittier, 132
Letter from Ralph Waldo Emerson, 133
Letter from Chief Justice John Pierpoint, 133
Letter from Rt. Rev. Bishop De Goesbriand, . . . . 134
APPENDIX, 135
SUNDAY SERVICES, 136
Service at First Church, 136
Address of Welcome, by Rev. Isaac Jennings, . . . 137
Remarks of Rev. L. C. Patridge 138
Remarks of Rev. H. L. Grant, 140
Remarks of Rev. C. B. Armstrong, 140
Remarks of Rev. E. G. Read, 144
Remarks of Rev. G. G. Jones, 145
Remarks of Rev. R. M. Luther, 146
VERMONT EDITORS' ASSOCIATION, 148
Address of Hon. E. P. Walton, 148
Vermont Centennial Commission, 156
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON, by Ex-Gov. Hiland Hall.
Introductory, 166
Preparing for the Battle, 171
The Battle, 174
WESTMINSTER, 179
Revised Declaration of Independence, 187
HUBBARDTON , . 184
Order of Procession, 184
Collation, 185
WINDSOR, 187
Order of Exercises, 187
Sermon of Rev. C. B. Hulbert, D. D., 188
Oration of Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, 211
Dinner, 231
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
Main Ground 1,800 feet in length. Oration tent, accommodating 12,000.
Banquet tent, seating 3,500. Reviewing stand and elevated seats on right of
dotted line, (old race track). Head Quarters Governor of Vermont, Chief
Marshal and Division Commanders in front of Vermont Camp. Committees'
Head Quarters just inside entrance to grounds. Massachusetts train upon
siding within the grounds as shown. Putnam Phalanx occupy the Seminary,
near Bennington Center. Exhibition of Revolutionary Relics at Bennington
Center.
MAP OF BENNINGTON, 1877.
1. Walloomsac House, Bennington Center.
2. Site of Catamount Tavern, Bennington Center.
3. Old Church, upon site of original 1st Church and Cemetery where
dead from battle field of Bennington are buried.
4. Centennial encampment and grounds.
5. Putnam House.
6. Stark House.
7. Post Office.
8. Railroad Station.
9. Gates House.
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.
Prior to the meeting of the general assembly, in 1876,
attention had been called to the propriety of commemorating
in a suitable manner, the events of Yermont's centennial year ;
and some organized effort had been made in that direction.
Thus, the Bennington Historical Society, with ex-Governor
Hiland Hall as president, had been formed with the object,
among others, of "assisting in the proper observance of the
centennial anniversary of the Battle of Bennington." The
subject had been discussed for three years in the " Reunion
Society of Yermont Officers ;" and the " Yeteran Soldiers'
Reunion" composed of the surviving officers and soldiers of
Yermont Yolunteers during the war for the suppression of
the rebellion had fixed upon Bennington as the place of their
next reunion, and centennial week as the time. The "Yer-
mont Editors and Publishers' Association" had appointed their
annual meeting on the Tuesday before the 16th of August, 1877,
and had selected an orator Hon. Eliakim P. "Walton of
Montpelier with express reference to the historical signifi-
cance of the occasion. At the opening of the biennial session
of the general assembly in 1876, however, the subject received
official recognition, His Excellency Governor Fairbanks, in his
annual message, referring to the approaching centennial anni-
versaries, as follows :
"The completion of the hundredth year since the independence
of the state, since the adoption of the constitution, and since the
2 Benmngton Centennial.
battle of Bennington, mark the coming year emphatically as our
centennial year. These memorable events in a large measure
determined the character of our political existence, territorially
and nationally. The remembrance of them, and of the principal
actors in them, should be. sacredly cherished and perpetuated. Is
it not eminently fitting and proper that they be recognized by
some suitable observance ? "
This portion of the governor's message was referred to a
special committee, consisting of Senators O. E. Butterfield of
Windham county, and Silas Mason of Bennington county, on
the part of the senate ; and James K. Batchelder of Arling-
ton, Burnam Martin of Chelsea, Eben P. Colton of Irasburgh,
Hiram Skeels of Highgate, Marvin O. Stoddard of Poultney,
George H. Blake of Barton, George E. Eaton of Danville,
Milo C. Huling of Bennington, and William P. Dillingham of
Waterbury, on the part of the house ; who subsequently
reported "An act to incorporate the Bennington Battle Monu-
ment Association," which, with slight amendments, passed
both houses unanimously, was approved by the governor and
became a law, as follows :
No. 163. AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE BENNINGTON BATTLE
MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Vermont :
SEC. 1. Hiland Hall, Horace Fairbanks, W. H. H. Bingham,
Justin S. Morrill, E. J. Phelps, Geo. F. Edmunds, Isaac Jennings,
Trenor W. Park, John B. Page, Jacob Estey, E. P. Walton, John
Gregory Smith, Asahel Peck, John W. Stewart, Abram B. Gardnei",
Paul Dillingham, Harmon Canfield, Edward Seymour, Burnam
Martin, Frederic Billings, Franklin Butler, Jed P. Ladd, Mason S.
Colburn, Edward A. Sowles, Carroll S. Page, E. D. Mason, W. W.
Grout, E. P. Colton, George N. Dale, Duane L. Kent, Gilbert A.
Davis, Homer Goodhue, Milo C. Huling, J. Henry Guild, George
W. Harwell, Oscar E. Butterfield, Cyrns Jennings, E. D. Blodgett,
Preliminary Arrangements. 3
Redfield Proctor, John Lovejoy Mason, Eben Graves, Hiram Bur-
ton ; and Seth B. Hunt, H. Henry Baxter and William M. Evarts
of the city of New York, Samuel Sanford and Daniel Robinson of
Troy, New York, and Sidney B. Squires of Boston, Massachusetts,
with seven persons to be elected annually in January by the Ben-
nington Historical Society, are hereby constituted, with their
associates and successors, a body politic and corporate, by the
name of the Bennington Battle Monument Association, for the
purpose of erecting and maintaining a suitable monument com-
memorative of the achievements of General John Stark and the
patriot soldiers of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts,
at the decisive battle of Bennington, fought on the sixteenth of
August, 1777, with all the rights and powers incident to corpora-
tions ; and said corporation shall be located at Bennington, and
may have a common seal and the same alter at pleasure ; may sue
and be sued ; may make such laws and regulations as may be neces-
sary, not inconsistent with the laws of this State ; and may take
and hold, by gift, purchase, devise or otherwise, real and personal
estate to the amount of thirty thousand dollars, and the same
manage and dispose of for the purpose of said corporation.
SEC. 2. The governor, lieutenant-governor, speaker of the house
of representatives, and the chief justice of the supreme court, shall
be members, ex officio, of this corporation; and said corporation,
at their first meeting or at any annual meeting, may elect, by ballot,
any number of persons not exceeding sixty in all, exclusive of the
members ex-officio, to be members of the corporation.
SEC. 3. At their first meeting said corporation shall elect a
president, a vice-president, a treasurer, a secretary, and a board of
directors, and may elect other officers as they shall see fit. The
treasurer shall give bonds in such sum as the directors shall deter-
mine, and these may be increased from time to time as they may
order.
SEC. 4. The governor is hereby directed to invite, in the name
of this State, the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to
unite with the State of Vermont in erecting a battle monument at
Bennington.
4 Bennington Centennial.
SEC. 5. No moneys appropriated by the State shall be expended
by this association in the erection of a monument until sufficient
funds shall have been accumulated by the association to complete it.
SEC. 6. This association shall, at their first annual meetlng r
take measures to secure at Bennington, during the week of the
sixteenth of August, 1877, an appropriate centennial celebration of
the battle of Bennington, and also the recognition of the year 1877
as the one hundredth year of the existence of this State as an
independent State.
SEC. 7. The auditor of accounts is hereby directed to draw his
order on the treasurer of the State, in favor of the treasurer of this
association, for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, upon receiving
satisfactory proof that said association has raised and is in actual
possession of available funds to the amount of five thousand dol-
lai's, to be expended for the erection of a battle monument at
Bennington; he is also directed to draw a -further order for the
sum of two thousand dollars, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of section six, provided the association shall raise the
sum of two thousand dollars for this purpose.
SEC. 8. The first meeting of this corporation shall be held,
without further notice, on the second Wednesday in January, A. D.
1877, at the court house in said town of Bennington, at ten o'clock
in the forenoon, at which meeting any ten of said corporators shall
form a quorum for business.
SEC. 9. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 28, 1876.
Under the first section the Bennington Historical Society
elected the following additional corporators : John T. Shurt-
leff, Alonzo B. Yalentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott, Charles
Dewey, Henry G. Root, and George W. Robinson all of
Bennington.
A quorum of the corporators named above met at the court
house in the village of Bennington, on the 10th day of Jan-
uary, 1877, and organized by the choice of Hon. William H.
H. Bingham of Stowe, as temporary chairman, and Carroll S-
Preliminary Arrangements. 5
Page of Hyde Park, as temporary secretary. A permanent
organization was effected the same day by the choice of the
following officers :
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks of St. Jolmsbury, Presi-
dent.
Hon. Hiland Hall of Bennington, Yice-President.
Charles M. Bliss of Bennington, Secretary.
John T. Shurtleff of Bennington, Assistant Secretary.
Milo C. Huling of Bennington, Treasurer.
On motion of Governor Hall, it was
"Resohed, That this association will take proper and efficient
measures to secure at Bennington, during the week of the 16th of
August, 1877, au appropriate centennial celebration of the Battle
of Bennington, and also a recognition of the year 1877 as the one
hundredth year of the existence of Vermont as an independent
state "
At a subsequent meeting a centennial commission was
created, upon whom was imposed the duty of taking proper
measures to secure the celebrations contemplated by the reso-
lution of Governor Hall.
The names of the commission appear in the appendix.
His Excellency the Governor, the president of the associa-
tion, was directed, in the name of the association, to invite the
governor, council, senate, house of representatives and state
officers of New Hampshire and Massachusetts ; the President
and Yice-President of the United States, and the members of
the cabinet ; the governors of the several states in the Union ;
the mayor, aldermen and common council of the city of Man-
chester, N. H. ; the chief justice of the supreme court of the
United States ; the general and lieutenant-general of the
army; the admiral and vice-admiral of the navy; the gov-
ernor-general of Canada ; and such other persons and organ-
izations as the executive committee of the centennial comrnis-
6 Bennington Centennial.
sion, and the literary committee of the Bennington Battle
Monument Association C. M. Bliss, A. B. Gardner and Rev.
Isaac Jennings of Bennington, and Hon. Edward J. Phelps of
Burlington should determine, to attend and participate in th&
celebration.
VERMONT CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
The Vermont Centennial Commission, created by the Ben-
nington Battle Monument Association, convened at Benning-
ton, April 4, 18T7, and elected the following board of officers r
Hon. Edward J. Phelps of Burlington, President ; Hon.
Hiland Hall of Bennington, Hon. Ryland Fletcher of Cav-
endish, Hon. J. Gregory Smith of St. Albans, Hon. Paul
Dillingham of Waterbury, Hon. John B. Page of Rutland,
Hon. George "W. Hendee of Morristown, Hon. John W.
Stewart of Middlebury, Hon. Julius Converse of Woodstock,
Hon. Asahel Peck of Jericho, Hon. William H. H. Bingham
of Stowe, Hon. Burnam Martin of Chelsea, Hon. George N.
Dale of Island Pond, Hon. William W. Grout of Barton, and
Hon. Jed P. Ladd of Alburgh, Vice-Presidents ; Charles M.
Bliss of Bennington, Secretary ; Hon. Henry G. Root, Milo
C. Huling and Major Alonzo B. Yalentine, of Bennington,.
George A. Merrill of Rutland, and Carroll S. Page of Hyde
Park, Executive Committee.
From this time forward, the affairs of the celebration and
its management devolved on the executive committee, who
met and organized at Rutland, issuing the following address ;
and, subsequently, holding meetings at Burlington and other
prominent towns in the state :
Preliminary Arrangements. 7
ADDRESS OF THE VERMONT CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
To THE PEOPLE OF VERMONT :
Fellow Citizens; It is doubtless known to you that the Legis-
lature at its last session passed an act incorporating the Bennington
Battle Monument Association, and directed it to " take measures
to secure at Bennington during the week of the 16th of August,
1877, an appropriate Centennial celebration of the battle of Ben-
nington, and also the recognition of the year 1877 as the one
hundredth year of the existence of the State as an independent
State." In pursuance of this act the Association has established
the Vermont Centennial Commission to carry out the special pro-
visions of its sixth section. The Commission held its first meeting
at Bennington on the 4th day of April last, and elected as its pres-
ident the Hon. Edward J. Phelps of Burlington, who has accepted
the position and is heartily enlisted in the duties of his high office.
For its vice-presidents it selected fifteen well known citizens, ten
of whom have been governors of the State the name of the ven-
erable ex-G-ov. Hiland Hall standing at the head of the list. It
also chose a secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee
of five members.
It will be observed that two distinct and separate events are to
be commemorated during the week of the 16th of August next, one
being an important battle the other the birth of a State the con-
nection between the two being simply a fortuitous and not a neces-
sary one. Recognizing this fact, the Association has set apart the
15th of August as Vermont's day, a day in which the events of the
first convention at Westminster, the second and third at Windsor,
all occurring in the year 1777, will receive pi'ominent notice ; and
to this celebration the Association has invited, through His Excel-
lency the Governor, President of the Association, the President
and Vice-President of the United States, the members of the cabi-
net, and the governors of the several States. As this is the first
celebration of the kind in the history of the government the cen-
tennial of the birth of the State never yet having been commem-
orated the Commission are extremely solicitous that the occasion
8 Bennington Centennial.
shall in every respect be worthy of the great event the celebration
is intended to signalize.
The people of Vermont take an honest pride in the Green Moun-
tain State, and though reasons multiply why they do so, they
simply say,
" They love their land because it is their own,
Aiid scorn to give aught other reason why."
While, however, they would not claim for it perfection, except the
perfection of beauty of landscape, they consider it, and rightly,
too, the model State of the Union, the best exemplification of free
government to be found on the face of the earth. Born of a civil con-
test that taxed the resources of a political management of the highest
order; held at a distance by the general government for nearly a score
of years ; the land claimants of neighboring states making her terri-
tory their fighting ground, and England, during the revolution,
trying through Canada to cajole, wheedle and bribe her, Vermont
held her steadfast course, turning neither to the right hand nor to
the left, as firm as her hills, developing those principles of self
government which have stood her in good stead for a full century ;
which have given her a place in the galaxy of States more than
commensurate with her population and wealth ; which have enabled
her citizens, widely scattered over the world, to impress her influence
and her laws on new communities and new States, and which,
through a long line of her sons, eminent in character, skillful in
legislation and wise in statesmanship, have constantly maintained
for her a proud position in the councils of the nation.
The commemoration of an event so marked in the nation's his-
tory as a State Centennial, is certain alone to bring to our borders
a large concourse of people from all parts of the country. A
moment's reflection will suffice for this ; and it is a point on which
it is unnecessary for the Commission to enlarge in presenting the
subject to the people of the State. It is proper, however, to
impress upon them the necessity of making ample preparations for
so important an occurrence, and especially of urging them to keep
constantly in view its high and worthy object.
Preliminary Arrangements. 9
On the 16th of August, 1877, the centennial anniversary of the
battle of Bennington will occur. For ninety and nine years the
town of Bennington has observed the annual recurrence of this
day. Gen. Stark, in sending some trophies of the battle to the
state of Masachusetts, speaks of it as " a glorious victory " which
" ought to be kept in memory and handed down to futurity as a
lasting and laudable example for the sons and daughters of the
victors." This injunction has been faithfully obeyed in Benning-
ton, the scene of the hero's greatest achievements. Thirty-nine
.years after the battle a Bennington committee wrote a letter to
Stark informing him that every year since his victory his name had
been remembered by a public celebration in that town ; and every
year since some public notice has been made of the day there ; and
-now Vermont herself has sent greeting to New Hampshire and
Massachusetts, proposing to crown the century by a celebration
that shall worthily honor riot only the memory of the hero who so
thoughtfully enjoined it, but also the States and the people which
shall participate in it.
Particularly must Vermont be careful that the State takes no
detriment through any negligence on her part to make ample prep-
aration for this great event. On this occasion she acts the host ;
all others are her guests. Massachusetts has already, through her
Governor and her Legislature, accepted her invitation as such ; and
New Hampshire, whose leadership in the events which shaped the
battle, and in the battle itself, are matters of history, will, when her
Legislature convenes, doubtless not be behind her sister State. The
guests which have been invited to the celebration of Vermont's
Centennial have also been invited to the Centennial of the Battle
of Bennington. Military organizations in very great numbers in
all parts of the country are anxious to participate in the festivities
of the occasion. The Soldiers' Reunion of our own State, the
Editors and Publishers' Association of Vermont, and the Vermont
Historical Society have arranged to have their annual or biennial
gatherings here during centennial week ; and while for many of
these organizations the Commission do not feel the same degree of
responsibility that is laid upon them by the law of the State in
regard to the two celebrations of the fifteenth and sixteenth, still
10 Bennington Centennial.
their presence here, while it adds to the dignity and character of
the celebration, adds to the burdens of the Commission also.
These burdens the Commission cannot evade, nor can the people of
Vermont ; and it is to the people of Vermont that the Commission
would most earnestly appeal. The State has appropriated a small
sum to carry out the work it has set us to do. The most prudent
estimates make not less than $10,000 and some reach 815,000
as the sum, in addition to the State's appropriation, needed for Ver-
mont to maintain the dignity of host on the important occasion^
That the people of Vermont will cordially respond to this earnest
appeal of the Commission for aid in carrying forward its noble
object cannot for a moment be doubted. While these lines are
passing through the press, its executive committee is visiting the
more prominent towns and villages of the State, engaged in secur-
ing the aid and cooperation of all our citizens in carrying forward*
their own and the people's work. There must be no failure in our
attempts to celebrate the great events of a century ago, the one
the birth of a State, the other the event of a battle which turned
the tide of war to the side of the American arms, and thus decided
the contest for independence. As Concord and Lexington and
Bunker Hill, the beginnings of the struggle for liberty in 1775, have
been worthily commemorated in 1875, as the signing of the immor-
tal Declaration at Philadelphia in 1776 has been fittingly honored in
1876, so let the no less important event of Stark's victory in 1777,
which has made his own name famous and that of Bennington his-
toric, be " kept in memory and handed down to futurity as a lasting
and laudable example for the sons and daughters of the victors '*
by a commemoration in 1877 which shall be alike worthy of the
memory of the men of 1777 and their sons and daughters of 1877.
Let both occasions, Vermont's Centennial and the Centennial of the
battle of Bennington, be suitably honored as becomes the occa-
sions themselves and the dignity of our noble State.
HENRY G. ROOT, ]
GEO. A. MERRILL, Executive Committee
Mir.o C. HULING, \ of the
CARROLL S. PAGK, j Vermont Centennial Commission.
A. B. VALENTINE, J
Rutland, Vt., May 14, 1877.
Preliminary Arrangements. 11
The action of the legislature of Vermont was communi-
cated, by Governor Fairbanks, to the governors of Massachu-
setts and New Hampshire, a copy of which letter and the
action of the legislatures of those states thereon will appear
in another place.
Major Alonzo B. Valentine of Bennington, was appointed
chief marshal, with full authority to make such arrangements,
in matters pertaining to the duties of his office, as he might
deem proper. It is unnecessary to reproduce the several cir-
culars issued by him, as their purport, as well as his appoint-
ments as aids, etc., will sufficiently appear elsewhere.
In closing this chapter, it is proper to say that while the
citizens of Bennington generally aided more or less in the
preliminary arrangements, the successful management of the
details of the celebration were due to the untiring labors of
the local members of the executive committee, Messrs. Henry
G. Root, Milo C. Huling and Alonzo B. Valentine George
A. Merrill of Rutland, and Carroll S. Page of Hyde Park,
aiding in everyway compatible with their residences so remote
from Bennington and to their associates, subsequently made
members of the committee, Messrs. Olin Scott, J. V. Carney,
William E. Hawkes, 2d., and Frank C. V/hite ; as well as to
A. B. Gardner, Charles E. Dewey and A. P. Childs, of the
board of directors of the Bennington Battle Monument Asso-
ciation, and Charles M. Bliss, its secretary, and particularly to
the indefatigable efforts of Henry G. Root, in raising from
the people of Vermont the large amount additional to the
legislative appropriation necessary to defray the expenses of
the celebration.
12 Bennington Centennial.
VERMONT DAY.
The independence of Yermont " as a separate, free and
independent jurisdiction or state " was declared by a conven-
tion at Westminster, January 17, 1777, but no appropriate
notice of the centennial anniversary of that event was taken,
although local celebrations were held at Westminster and else-
where, and, therefore, Thursday, August 15, 1877, was set
apart for a general commemoration under the auspices of the
state.
At sunrise, a national salute was fired by Fuller's Battery,
and the church bells of Bennington rang out a merry peal.
At half past nine
THE PROCESSION
was formed, under the direction of Major A. B. Valentine,
chief marshal, at the foot of County street, near the railroad
station, in the following order :
PLATOON OF POLICE.
A. B. Valentine, Chief Marshal.
ASSISTANTS TO THE CHIEF MARSHAL :
Gen. J. N. Patterson of New Hampshire,
Col. Isaac F. Kmgsbury of Massachusetts.
CHIEF MARSHAL'S STAFF :
*Maj. E. N. S. Morgan, Chief of Staff.
Col. J. H. Goulding, Adjutant General.
Maj. S. H. Brown, Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. E. L. Roberts, Assistant Adjutant General.
OVERNOR OF VERMONT.
1876-78.
Vermont Day. 13
J. L. Martin, Chief Quartermaster.
H. G. Root, Assistant Quartermaster.
*Chas. E. Dewey, H. B. Kent,
Barber Chase, Park Valentine,
J. K. Batchelder, C. R. Sanford,
*M. B. Morgan, O. D. Adams,
Col. H. B. Clapp, *W. E. Hawks,
Col. A. G. Watson, C. H. Forbes,
George A. Smith, H. E. Bradford,
*Edward Kinsley, W. A. Root,
G. H. Day, *S. B. Hall,
*Moses Robinson, W. H. Willard,
*Olin Scott, Gilman Warren,
*James H. White, A. J. Tucker,
G. B. Sibley, Dexter Waite,
Capt. H. L. Shields, S. D. Curtis.
RIGHT DIVISION.
Col. W. G. Veazey, Marshal, Commanding.
STAFF :
Maj. E. J. Ormsbee, Col. M. S. Colburn, Capt. E. A. Morse,
Col. K. Haskins, Capt. E. 'H. Armstrong, Maj. R. B. Ames.
ESCORT :
Ransom Guard Band.
FIRST REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARD OF VERMONT,
Col. T. S. Peck, Commanding.
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor and Commander-in-
Chief, and Staff.
President of the Day, Hon. E. J. Phelps.
Orator of the Day, Daniel Roberts.
Reader of Mrs. Dorr's Poem, Prof. J. W. Churchill of Andover,
Mass.
Park Guard Band.
14: Bennington Centennial.
BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, President.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :
A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, A. P. Childs, Charles E. Dewey,
Olin Scott.
Members of the Association.
VERMONT CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
First Vice-President, Hon. Hiland Hall.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Henry G. Root, Chairman; M. C. Huling, A. B. Valentine,
Geo. A. Merrill, C. S. Page, Charles M. Bliss, Secretary.
Members of the Commission.
Distinguished Guests.
CENTER DIVISION.
Gen. W. W. Henry, Marshal, Commanding.
STAFF :
Maj. E. P. Farr, Chief of Staff.
Jas. B. Scully, A. A. G., Geo. Austin, Capt. E.G. Hough ton,
Capt. A. G. Potter, J. V. Hupf, H. S. Bingham,
*Andre\v Keyes, *Fred Pratt,
Buel J. Derby.
ESCORT :
Putnam Phalanx Fife and Drum Corps.
PUTNAM PHALANX OF HARTKORD, CONN.,
Maj. F. M. Brown, Commanding.
STATE GOVERNMENT OF VERMONT.
Executive Department.
His Honor, Redfield Proctor, Lieutenant Governor
George Nichols, Secretaiy of State.
John A. Page, Treasurer.
Jed P. Ladd, Auditor.
Vermont Day. 15
James S. Peck, Adjutant and Inspector Genei'al.
Levi G. Kingsley, Quartermaster General.
Joel H. Lucia, Judge Advocate General.
Henry C. Newell, Surgeon General.
T. C. Phinney, Sergeant-at-Arms.
A. E. Rankin, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
THE STATE JUDICIARY.
Hon. John Pierpoint, Chief Justice.
Hon. James Barrett, Hon. Homer E. Royce, Hon. Timothy P.
Redfield, Hon. Jonathan Ross, Hon. H. Henry Powers,
Hon. Walter C. Dunton, Justices.
The Senate of Vermont, Hon. Wm. W. Grout, President pro tern.
F. W. Baldwin, Secretary.
The House of Representatives, Hon. John W. Stewart, Speaker.
George R. Chapman, Clerk.
Ex-Governors of Vermont.
His Excellency the Governor of Maine, and Staff.
His Excellency the Governor of New Hampshire, and Staff,
Escorted by the Amoskeag Veterans.
His Excellency the Governor of Rhode Island, and Staff.
Governors of other States.
Band.
Battalion of New Hampshire Militia, commanded by Col. D. M
White, escorting State Officials of New Hampshire.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Hon. J. B. Smith, Hon. John M. Parker, Hon. Edward Spaulding
Hon. Francis A. Cushman, Hon. Jeremiah Blodgett.
STATE OFFICERS.
Hon. A. B. Thompson, Secretary of State.
Hon. Solon A.. Carter, Treasurer.
Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., State Historian.
Hon. Oliver Pillsbury, Insurance Commissioner.
William H. Sise, Commissary General.
President of the Senate, Hon. Natt Head.
Speaker of the House, Hon A. A. Woolson.
16 Bennington Centennial.
Legislature of New Hampshire.
Col. Chas. C. Danforth, Clerk of House.
A. W. Baker, Assistant Clerk of House.
Manchester War Veterans of New Hampshire Militia, Capt. Geo
H. Dodge, escorting City Government of Manchester, N. H.
Hon. Ira Cross, Mayor.
Members of the City Government.
LEFT DIVISION.
Col. George W. Hooker, Marshal, Commanding.
STAFF :
Col. D. D. Wheeler, Chief of Staff.
Gen. W. W. Lynde, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Maj. Henry R. Chase, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Maj. H. R. Lawrence, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Barney Cameron, S. W. Bailey,
C. M. Russell, H. M. Currier,
H. F. Brooks, A. M. McDonald,
Dr. E. J. Titus, R. M. Silsby,
A. R. Dunklee, H. G. Porter,
A. Starkey, Maj. B. R. Jenne,
J. G. Taylor, C. L. Piper,
C. W. Stewart, Dr. Henry Tucker,
D. S. Priest, Col. Preston C. F. West>
C. H. Norton, J. G. Martin,
Maj. R. M. Gould, B. F. Phelps,
C. F. Estabrook, N. I. Hawley,
G. E. Selleck, F. E. Ray,
Dr. Walter Mendelson, H. M. Wilder,
H. E. Taylor, J. H. Cutler.
S. Wright Bowker,
VETERAN SOLDIERS' REUNION,
Col. John E. Pratt, Commanding, and Staff.
Sherman Band.
Vermont Day. 17
1st Brigade Col. A. F. Walker, Commanding, and Staff.
Band.
2d Brigade Col. F. G. Butterfield, Commanding, and Staff.
Band.
3d Brigade Col. A. S. Tracy, Commanding, and Staff.
Baud.
4th Brigade Col. F. V. Randall, Commanding, and Staff.
Guests of the Reunion.
Other civic and military organizations of Vermont.
Fuller Battery, N. G. of Vt., Capt. Levi K. Fuller, Commanding.
The column moved on time through County, School, Main,
Silver, Union and South streets, passing under the Grand
Arch on Main street, to Dewey street, and thence to the cen-
tennial grounds the streets being lined with people, and the
houses literally covered with banners and other decorations
where the following exercises took place :
EXERCISES AT THE ORATION TENT.
After music by the band, Hon. E. J. Phelps, president of
the day, called upon Rev. Isaac Jennings, pastor of the old
First church of Bennington, who offered the following
PRAYER :
O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, upholder of all things :
On this occasion so full of momentous interest and of great solem-
nity we lift our hearts reverently in prayer to Thee. This common-
wealth having reached its centennial anniversary in the presence
of sister states represented here, and united in heart with them
offers its thanksgivings to Thee for Thy great mercies to us as a
people ; and humbly supplicates Thy forgiveness for our sins, and
the continuance of Thy gracious and Fatherly care.
'Lineal descendants of those who fought in the Battle of Benuington.
2
18 Benmngton Centennial.
We praise Thee for Thy good providence toward this common-
wealth in the early settlement of its people. We thank Thee for
the faithful and heroic men and women of its early history : that
Thou didst preserve and prosper them as they came here to rear
up habitations and to establish homes in this then savage wilier-
ness ; that Thou didet help and bless them, amid every perplexity,,
and during their long continued and arduous struggle to maintain
possession of the lands and property they had so honorably acquired
and improved. We praise Thee for the wisdom Thou gavest to
the men who founded the state, for their love of civil and religious
liberty, their self-sacrificing and tireless labors in the establishment
of this as a separate state among its sister states of this Republic.
We thank Thee that Thou didst enable them, and put it into their
hearts, to exert an influence upon the American cause that was not
indecisive nor unimportant ; that Thou didst bless their arms in
the day of hostile approach and of battle, that their bow abode in
strength, and the arms of their hands were made strong by the
hands of the mighty God of Jacob.
Almighty God our Heavenly Father ; We praise Thee for the
loyalty and patriotism of the people of this state continued to the
present time ; that so conspicuously her officers have been peace
and her exactors righteousness. We praise Thee for virtue, and.
the general intelligence, and means of education, for religion its
light, its institutions, its sanctifying power, and its immortal hopes.
We praise Thee for these things as vouchsafed to the nation, and
to the states more particularly represented here in this centennial,
but also especially now on behalf of this commonwealth for fer-
tility and health and industry in the communities up and down
these beautiful vallies and mountain sides ; for those born and
reared here who go forth into all lands, in all professions and in
responsible relations of life, serving God, their generation and
mankind.
O God, " from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all
just works do proceed," give unto us grace " that our hearts may
be set to obey Thy commandments." May we "know Thee, the
God of our fathers, and serve 2hee with a perfect heart and with
Vermont Day. 19
a willing mind ; for Thou searchest all hearts^ and understandest
all the imaginations of the thoughts if we seek Thee Thou wilt be
found of us, but if we forsake Thee Thou wilt cast us off forever.
Continue to bless us more and more, we beseech Thee, in our laws,
in our institutions of learning and religion, and in the upright and
faithful spirit of the people. Shine forth uyon us always. Lead
forward our beloved state in the future that she may never forfeit
or tarnish her fair renown. Bless and prosper Thy servant the
chief magistrate of this commonwealth. Aid and succeed him
abundantly in all the duties of his high office, and likewise all who
with him are intrusted with the administration of our public affairs.
Almighty God, we thank Thee that we gather together to-day
in a land of liberty, and that these heavens look down upon our
country united and in peace. We beseech Thee to bless and
prosper Thy servant the President of the United States and all
who are in authority over us, induing them with all needed skill,
understanding and fidelity " that all things may be so ordered and
settled by their endeavors upon the best and surest foundations,
that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety,
may be established among us for all generations."
Have mercy, we beseech Thee, upon all men in all parts of the
world who specially need Thy help. Great God, remember us in
all our exposure to the hostilities ot men and to conflicts with
others. Hasten the progress of His Kingdom, whose victories are
peace and whose reign brings unity, love and joy to the earth.
Help us, O Heavenly Father, in every arduous moment of our
lives, in the responsible future to which we inevitably go on. Be,
in our hearts, a holy purpose of duty to Thee, a blessed spirit of
confidence in Thy providential care, and Thy forgiving mercy. In
weakness be Thou our strength ; in sinfulness be Thou our deliv-
erer from its guilt and power. Under the cares and burthens of
this life be Thou our upholder and stay ; and in death be Thou our
everlasting life.
Bless Thy servants who are to address us on this occasion. May
the exercises and transactions of this celebration be so ordered in
Thy good providence, and so undertaken and carried through under
20 Bennington Centennial.
Thy guidance as to be to Thy honor and glory, and promotive of
the welfare of this commonwealth, and of us all.
We ask all in the name of Christ our Saviour.
And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be the glory
forever. Amen.
After the prayer, Hon. Edward J. Phelps, president of the
day, delivered the following address of welcome :
PRESIDENT PHELPS' ADDRESS OP WELCOME.
I have but few words to offer, my friends, in introducing the
services appointed for this occasion. The state of Vermont com-
memorates to-day the one hundredth anniversary of her birth, the
termination, the happy and prosperous termination, of the first
century of her existence as an independent state. To-morrow we
shall signalize one of the important victories of the revolutionary
battlefields. To-day is devoted to those other victories, not less
renowned and not less fruitful the victories ot peace. To all who
have assembled here, whether friends or strangers, to the distin-
guished guests that grace this occasion with their presence, to all
the children of Vermont who from near and far, from many homes,
have gathered to honor the centennial birthday of their native
state, I am charged on her behalf to extend a kindly, a cordial, a
generous welcome. Larger and richer states might offer you more
splendid hospitalities, more imposing ceremonies, a more magni-
ficent display. Ours are plain and simple, such as befit the habits
of our people, and the character of those institutions whose origin
we celebrate.
This day is consecrated to the past. All the history, all the
memories of the century that is now closing upon our common-
wealth, its early struggles, its vicissitudes, its hopes, its fears, its
steadfast march, the glory of its wars, the serenity of its peace,
all these crowd upon our hearts, and are the recollections appro-
priate to the observances of the hour. Especially is this day sacred
to the memory of the men who laid broad and deep in the early
days, the foundation of the institutions under which we live. And
E. J. PHELFS.
Vermont Day. 21
not only do we remember at a time like this, those distinguished
leaders whose names are as household words among us ; not the
less do we honor the rank and file, that whole noble generation of
men, who, all the days of their lives, and through all the avocations
of their lives, gave to the service and welfare ot the state their
state the best they had. Unnamed, unheralded, for the most part,
they stand out against the horizon of our history like the stately
trees of the primeval forest, which like them have passed away.
Without their aid, their patriotism and their efforts, the master
spirits would have planned and toiled in vain. And we are to
remember, if there is anything in our institutions that is worthy
of being cherished, if there is anything of value in those traditions
which are stronger than institutions, and on which the life of insti-
tutions 'depends, it is not our achievement, it is our inheritance
from them.
They have all passed away, that noble race. Some of their
immediate descendants are here among our most welcome guests
to-day, but the last of the men of that time has long ago been
gathered to his fathers. Few monuments mark their resting-
places ; few vestiges of their individual life i*emain ; but all around
and about us, in our prosperous industries, our happy homes, oar
educated intelligence, our beneficent institutions, in the salutary
laws that protect liberty, and the enlightened liberty that upholds
the law, in everything that is comprehended to us under the
beloved name of Vermont, is to be found their monument, more
durable than marble, more beautiful than gold. And if the business
of this day has any significance, if the memories we are here to
recall have any value, or serve to point any moral, it is in teaching
us, that if we would preserve the inheritance we have received, we
must perpetuate likewise in our people, the character of the men
from whom we received it.
" 111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay."
If we are to preserve our government, we must maintain the old
land-marks, and stand fast by the old traditions. And now, as we
22 Bennington Centennial.
pause on the threshold of the coming century, and review the lives
and character and labors of that first generation of Vermonters, let
us take to heart as the great lesson of the hour, that if we are to
achieve the salvation of our country, w,e must do it by emulating
their virtues, and by imitating their example.
Daniel Roberts, of Burlington, was then introduced as the
orator of the day, who pronounced the following oration :
MR. ROBERTS' ORATION.
Sons of Vermont My Brothers;
Around this, her ancient hearth-stone, our mother state has
called her children together to celebrate her hundredth birth-day.
It is well. The call stands justified by the occasion, and the place
of our gathering best befits both.
The founding of a state is a great eVeut in the world's history,
forming an epoch in the social, civil and governmental reckoning of
nations. The names of the founders of states are the great names
of history. The names of the founders of free states demand
reverence and special honors ; for of states free created, the number
is but small, and the names of the founders of such shine but here
and there in solitary brilliancy, too few and too scattered to form
constellations in the heavens of history. Since the formation of the
American Union, the new states, from time to time added, have*
for the most part, been but ordinary accessions to the family of
states, without special throe of birth. These, born to an inher-
itance of freedom, received through infancy and adolescence a
mother's nourishment and care, and emerged into free self-govern-
ment through the regular process of growth, the infant become of
age. Not so Vermont, which was rather free created than thus
free born ; or, I may say, developed into organized life and form
from the germinal principle of individual freedom and liberty of
free choice. No mother's cai'e cradled or nurtured it, but, rocked
by storm and tempest and nurtured of the elements, this child of the
forest and the mountains won for itself place, and took it, as a free
state, not only " independent of all " but in defiance of all " save
Vermont Day. 23
the mercies of God." In this regard, its case is quite exceptional
Among the American states ; made so through the great sagacity
and indomitable will of a race of heroes, as wise as they were brave.
Thus created a free state, and having so lived and flourished for a
hundred years, it is well that her children of to-day mark the event
and celebrate it.
It is well, too, that we meet here for our festival ; here in Ben-
mngton, the namesake of the royal governor of New Hampshire
who granted this town its charter, the first of the one hundred and
thirty of the New Hampshire Grants. Here was the earliest consid-
erable settlement of the then wilderness. Here, more than else-
where, occurred the stirring events of our colonial life pregnant of
the future state. Here was the state's cradle, and her early hearth-
stone. Here gathered the heroes of that day, the demi-gods of this,
in council of safety, and of war, for defence against the common
enemy of the infant nation, and against the special enemies of the
hardy settlers of "the Grants,'' those land jobbers and free-booters
along the Hudson, toward whom the catamount from landlord
Fay's tavern sign grinned angry defiance. Here, early in May,
1775, mustered that patriot band whose ears had but just caught the
echo of that first shot fired at Lexington, and from here they went
forth under the leadership of Ethan Allen, " in the name of the
Great Jehovah," to the capture of Fort Ticonderoga ; and from
here marched Stark, with his braves and the G v een Mountain Boys,
just across the border, where they made the 16th of August immor-
tal ; and to this place they returned, bringing their foes captive.
With such reminiscences of these early days and associations off
place, I am to speak to you, but cursorily and briefly, of what they
suggest, of the New Hampshire Grants, and of Vermont, and how
this came to be a state, and somewhat of its characteristics a
hundred years ago, and since, and now.
This land of ours, which we now call Vermont, had before 1760
become extensively known to the men of New England by explora-
tion, the visits of hunters, and the numerous military expeditions,
which, starting from the heart of New England, had, for successive
years during the French and English war, traversed it. The cession
24 Bennington Centennial.
of Canada to Great Britain and the conclusion of peace left these
lands open for settlement, undisturbed by further terrors of French
and Indian inroads. The inducements to immigration and settle-
ment here, we of this age should reckon not inviting. There were
no prairies spread out in readiness for the plough ; no open pas-
tures ready prepared for sheep and oxen ; no tropic climate and
fruits inviting to rest from labor and to easy fruition ; nor yet fresh
discovered gold fields to set on fire the lust of men and draw them,
as by a sucking whirlwind, from the four corners of the earth, in a
mad rush to fortune or a grave; but, on the contrary, valley and
mountain sides covered with forests which kept out the sunlight,
and concealed below their interlacing roots the possible meadow,
pasture and cornfield, but possible only to the sweat of labor and
the pain of toil ; short summers, with frosts both late and early ;
long winters bound in ice and buried in snow. But to men like
our grandsires, trained to labor and hardship, the sons of genera-
tions of men to whose axes the sight of tree had been a constant
temptation, there was nothing in climate or savage features of the
land to deter from following the emigrating instinct of the race ;
and so long as they could, in the mind's eye, see among the dissolv-
ing forests the comfortable homestead, the waving grainfields, the
garden and the orchard, the school house, the meeting house, the mill
and the village, creations of their industry, they were rather incited
than repelled by the difficulties which nature had interposed in the
way to such fruition. With the thought of bettering their condi-
tion, in a mere prosaic sense, the love of adventure, the love of the
new and untried to find what may be in it, love of the free life of
the woods and of a new society, doubtless, added romance to the
movement. Yet it was no Texas or California that allured them.
Another reason for this early emigration, particularly from Mas-
sachusetts and Connecticut, and which prevailed to a considerable
extent, partook of a religious character, and was akin to that which
impelled their ancestors, the Puritans and the Pilgrims, to leave
their homes in England for the sake of founding a church of their
liking and freedom of worship in the New England wilderness ; for
it is written of these early immigrants by one of their number, that
Vermont Day. 25
" great numbers of the early settlers on the New Hampshire Grants
were of the sect of New Lights, or Separatee, who fled from perse-
cution in the New England states, and found an asylum here,
where they enjoyed their religious liberty." This persecution spoken
of came naturally of the ideas then prevalent, that one of the func-
tions of government was to aid the church in enforcing upon the
whole community conformity of doctrines and worship "to the word
ef God," that is. practically, conformity to the prevailing religious
belief, and those standards of belief, or profession, called orthodox,
to be found in certain accredited " platforms." Upon the New
Lights in doctrine, and the Separates from the standing order, it
bore hard to be compelled by law to pay towards the building of
meeting houses which they would not attend, and to contribute to
the support of ministers to whom they would not listen, and this,
while sustaining, unaided, their own systems of worship and teach-
ing ; and then, if their own ministers chanced to be caught preach-
ing outside the limits of their own parish, without orderly invita-
tion, to see them treated as poachers or tramps, with fines and the
stocks. The religious liberty which they enjoyed in this their
asylum they founded and established. They stamped upon their
earliest church records their repudiation of the doctrine of state
interference with matters of religious doctrine and worship, and
made their plan of organization as a church a charter of religious
liberty. Thus in organizing "the church of Christ in Bennington,"
December 3, 1762, the first church orginization of the New Hamp-
shire Grants, it was agreed and voted to except, from their adoption
of the Cambridge platform, that part " in respect of using the civil
law to support the gospel," and also that part " in respect of the
civil magistrate's coercive power."
Whatever else may be said of the religious teachings, customs and
observances of the New England of that day, it can not be denied
that they trained up a people mighty in the scriptures, schooled to
great acuteness of intellectual perception by study of the meta-
physics of theology, practice of its dialectics, and clash of discussion
of the mysteries of religion and the entanglements of creed ; and
that the study of the questions of church government educated
26 Bennington Centennial.
them to knowledge of the principles of all just government, and
their application to the affairs of the state. Bigots shall we call
them ? They were indeed religious according to the law and logic
of religion, rather than in its emotions and enthusiasms. I would
rather say of them that they were God fearing men, and so in fear
of no one else ; orderly, self-restrained, though self-reliant in thought
and will, staunch, stable ; men stiff in opposition, stout in resist-
ance, determined in defence of their rights against aggression.
Though these first immigrants were mostly farmers, not greatly
conversant with books, save the one book, yet coming from the
then most enlightened part of America, the heart of New England,
the home of the school-house and the meeting-house, and of those
little town democracies, training schools in the science of popular
self-government, they were by no means rude, and had that prac-
tical education in the common affairs of civil life which books can-
not give. The minister, if he did not come in their company, soon
followed, together with the lawyer, the physician, graduates of
college and men of culture, so that, one_ hundred years ago, and
from the earliest controversy about title and jurisdiction of the New
Hampshire Grants down to the final admission of the state of
Vermont to the Union of the United States, March 4, 1791. it may
be fairly doubted, whether these people wei'e not as intelligent as
any community of equal number then in New England. This may
be safely said, that none were better suited to the turbulent times ;
none who ever conducted more wisely, astutely and bravely than
they managed the affairs of peace and of war, and of that half war,
half lawsuit, which so long raged between the settlers and the land
jobbers of New York, with its complications of boundary, jurisdic-
tion and title, and collision of conflicting claims of New York, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts ; the men of Concord and Lexington
not readier than they, to spring up in resistance to the aggres-
sions of Great Britain upon the liberties of the colonies ; nor any
more patriotic, self-sacrificing, united and steadfast in defense of
the common cause ; none shrewder and wiser in the diplomacy of
war than the leaders of these people, who, when the infant state,
unsupported by congress and deserted by the neighboring states,
Vermont Day. 27
was left alone to make such defense as she could against a powerful
invasion by the common enemy gathering upon her northern bor-
der, repelled the invasion and secured victory without conflict,
disarming the foe by the charm of words, and, by the finesse of war,
securing to the common cause the results of a successful campaign ;
and none who ever displayed a keener sagacity and skill of
politic administration and management than they who made " the
Grants" a state; who maintained its independence as a separate
sovereignty for fourteen years, and then put it in place as one of
the United States of America.
Upon plain grounds of common justice, the rebellion of the New
Hampshire Grants, so far as it was a rebellion, and the forming of
an independent state, stand justified. The rebellion was against
the injustice of robbery, and the state was a necessity as an instru-
ment of resistance. The lands embraced within the territorial
limits of this present state of Vermont had been understood to be
within the limits and jurisdiction of the province of New Hamp-
shire. Upon this understanding, the royal governor of that
colony, Benuing Wentworth, had granted by charter in the king's
name about one hundred and thirty townships of these lands, or
nearly three millions of acres, in shares, to some eight thousand
persons, when on the 20th day of July, 1764, without notice to 1tfie
settlers and plainly against their wishes, the colonial government
of New York succeeded in obtaining from the king in council an
order declaring the west bank of the Connecticut River to be the
boundary line between the two provinces of New Hampshire
and New York, thus placing the settlers upon those Grants and
their lands under the jurisdiction of New York. Since the title to
these lands was originally in the king and the king had granted
them, and the purchase price may be said to have gone into the
king's treasury, the question of rightful colonial jurisdiction hardly
seems to touch the question of legal right to the lands ; and, cer-
tainly, since the lands had been purchased and paid for in good faith,
it was a plain violation of equity on the part of the colonial govern-
ment of New York, to treat those grants as void and the settlers as
trespassers, and to regrant the lands to strangers, and thus turn out
28 Bennington Centennial.
from their new made homes a whole people to beggary and vaga-
bondage. Nor does any effect of the order establishing the bound-
ary, such as to impair by retroaction the royal grants already made,
seem to have been intended by the home government. But the New
York government gave the order this interpretation, treating it as
the sanction of their previous claim of jurisdiction and right ; and
so, successive royal governors of that colony set to work granting
these lands in large tracts, upon careful selection and survey of the
best, to their retainers and favorites, regardless wholly of the rights
of the settlers under the New Hampshire charters. This injustice
had its incentive in the greed of those goveraors to acquire
fortunes for themselves by the extravagant fees demanded and
paid for such grants, or by themselves and their favorites becoming
partners with other speculators and jobbers in the lands granted.
The injustice of thus disregarding the claims of the settlers was
so manifest and gross as to receive the rebuke of the home govern-
ment and repeated prohibitions ; but the loyalty of these tory
governors gave way at the point where the royal order touched
their own emoluments, and the bad work went on as before ; and
so the honest settler became accustomed to see surveying parties of
Yorkers crossing his out-fields a id circling his homestead in their
delineations of manors and baronies, and to receive their saluta-
tions of notice to quit. Strange sheriffs appeared for service of
process of ejectment, calling him to Albany to answer to the plaint
of some speculator, disguised under the name of John Doe, who
pretended to have bought from under him the lands he had bought,
paid for, cleared and tilled, and the house which sheltered his wife
and babes. If he made appearance in answer to such summons,
he found the court in suspicious accord with the rapacious govern-
ors and speculators^ in treating his grant, under the royal seal of
New Hampshire, as a nullity. Such decision of one case was a
precedent for all others, numbering thousands, and so the alter-
native was presented to every grantee and settler under a New
Hampshire charter, to give up his lands and home, or buy his peace
on impossible terms of an unsympathizing stranger who had
schemed to despoil him, or yet forcibly to resist such monstrous
Vermont Day. 29
injustice. We are wont to applaud the forcible resistance made to
the stamp act, and the destruction of the tea in Boston harbor, as
patriotic exhibitions of rightful resistance to authority arbitrarily
unjust. What shall we say, then, of the resistance of these settlers
of " the Grants " to that scheme of plunder which would take from
a people not merely a petty tax, but their all, the fruits of a life of
toil and hardship, and make of them a community of paupers, to
become the vassals of foreign landlords, or to beg their way back
to their old homes. Resistance to injustice so gross, though sought
to be covered by the hypocrisy of legal forms, and none the less
galling on this account, was the instinct of common manliness,
hardly requiring for its impulse that exaltation of soul and charac-
ter which we call heroism. And so it happened that when sheriff
Ten Eyck, on the eighteenth day of July, 1771, with his posse of
some three hundred armed men, including many of the gentry of
Albany, proceeded in martial array to Bennington to take possession
by process in ejectment of the farm of James Breakenridge, he met
there on the borders of the Walloomsac a gathering of the settlers
of "the Grants" prepared for resistance. Bennington in town
meeting had voted to take this farm under thier protection and it
was protected. The sheriff had met a power greater than the
power of the county, who solved for him the prophetic riddle of
Ethan Allen, that " the gods of the valleys are not the gods of the
hills," and " if they would come to Beunington the meaning
should be made clear/' And so the power of the county evapo-
rated, and resistance to like attempts in the future was made the
easier, and their success impossible. It has been well and 'truly
said by that venerable gentleman, a native of Bennington, whose
presence graces this occasion, and who in his long and useful life of
public service has done his age no better service than by his publi-
cation of the " Early History of Vermont,'' that " here in fact, on
the farm of James Breakenridge, was born the future state of
Vermont, which struggling through the perils of infancy, had by
the commencement of the general revolution acquired the activity
and strength of adventurous youth ; had by its close reached the
full stature of manhood, and which not long afterwards became the
30 Eennington Centennial.
acknowledged equal of its associate American republics,"
offspring, it may be added, of what the Tory governors of New
York were wont to call " the Bennington mob."
This controversy about the lands of the settlers, kept up in one
way and another for many years, naturally led to a denial of the
civil jurisdiction of "New York lor any purpose. Except for this
policy of spoliation, the jurisdiction of New York would have been
quietly submitted to, notwithstanding the difference of blood and
terriper, training and customs of the two peoples, and Vermont
would have had no name in history, nor existence as a State.
This difference was considerably marked. The settlers of the
Grants were New Englanders of the then New England type,
cherishing the democratic ideas, and imbued with the spirit of
resistance to aggressions upon the liberties of individual or people,
which then peculiarly prevailed in New England, and to which that
people had been peculiarly schooled and trained for generations by
the events connected with the early immigrations, and the institu-
tions of church and civil government established by them, of their
free choice, in the wilderness. What was written of these settlers
by an accomplished loyal lady of the times, though said reproach-
fully, we accept as true, forgiving the reproach : They were
" fierce republicans, refusing to become tenants to any one and
insisting on owning the lands they sheuld occupy ; whose whole
conversation was tainted with politics Cromwellian politics ; who
talked about slaves to arbitrary power ; and whose indifference to
the mother country, and illiberal opinions and manners were
extremeiy offensive to all loyal subjects of the king." Few tories
among them at any time, and those few, either converted to better
ways by the rough discipline of the " twigs of the wilderness," or
else finding more congenial homes in Canada. It was not so along
the Hudson, nor was this the spirit of the gentry of the New York
colony. This difference is conspicuously indicated in the reply of
Governor Tryon to the rebuke of the Colonial Secretary for the
manner in which the New York grants of Vermont lands had been
made. " I conceive it," be says, "good policy to lodge large tracts
of land in the hands of gentlemen of weight and consideration.
Vermont Day. 31
They will naturally farm out their lands to tenants ; a method
which will ever create subordination, and counterpoise in some
measure the general leveling spirit that so much prevails in some
of his Majesty's governments ;" an aristocratic policy, hateful to
the democratic and independent spirit of the settlers, who would
be vassals to no patroon or land baron, but would own the lands
they tilled.
And so was kept up this controversy as to titles and jurisdiction,
until it finally closed in 1791 by a compromise, by which Vermont,
to secure admission to the Union, paid the sum of thirty thousand
dollars, which was divided among the New York claimants by way
of compensation for their losses.
In the war of the Revolution, there was no people more patri-
otic, none more united in sentiment of hostility to the aggressions
of Great Britain and determination to defend the common liberties
of the colonies, and to achieve separation and independence, than
the people of the New Hampshire Grants ; none who, according to
their ability, did braver and more effective service in actual war,
than they. Scattered along the war path from Canada to New
York, they were ever reliable as minute men to beat back or baffle
invasion from that quarter. Ticonderoga, the Canadian border,
Bennington and Saratoga tell the story of their heroism. They
were the men of whom Burgoyne, iu mortification at his disas-
ter at Bennington, and consequent perplexity of his affairs, wrote
to the British minister in London : "The New Hampshire Grants,
in particular, a country unpeopled in the last war, now abounds in
the most active and rebellious race of the continent, and hangs like
a gathering storm on my left."
Twenty days after the Declaration of Independence at Philadel-
phia, there assembled at the Inn of Cephas Kent in Dorset, dele-
gates from thirty-one towns of " the Grants," who entered into
solemn covenant between themselves by formal signatures, recom-
mending that such declaration be subscribed " by all the friends of
America in the district," wherein they declare : " We do volunta.
rily and solemnly engage under all the ties held sacred amongst
mankind, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to defend by arms
32 Bennington Centennial.
the United American States against the hostile attempts of the
British fleets and armies, until the present unhappy controversy
between the two countries shall be settled ;" and at a later conven-
tion, held by adjournment at the same place in September, it was
unanimously resolved " to take suitable measures, as soon as may
be, to declare the New Hampshire Grants a separate district." This
convention was adjourned to meet at Westminster, October 30,
1776, and was again adjourned to meet at the same place, January
15, 1777, and then and there it was unanimously proclaimed and
publicly declared, "that the district of territory comprehending
and usually known by the name and description of the New Hamp-
shire Grants, of right ought to be, and is hereby declared forever
hereafter to be considered, as a free and independent jurisdiction or
state, by the name of New Connecticut."
And later, at Windsor, on the second day of July, 1777, the rep-
resentatives of the freemen of said district assembled in convention
and framed a constitution for the State of Vermont. This consti-
tution opens with a preamble reciting in forcible language the rea-
sons for the formation of " a free and independent state." These
recited reasons were, the right of the people by common con-
sent to change their government whenever it fails to secure the
nds of government, viz. : the security and protection of the com-
munity, as such, and the natural rights of the individuals who
compose it ; the oppressions of the British Government towards
the colonies, " more fully set forth in the declaration of Congress ;"
and the worse oppressions of New York towards the settlers of the
New Hampshire Grants. This preamble was followed by " a dec-
laration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont,"
and a plan or frame of government.
It was while the draft of this constitution was under considera-
tion, that the alarming news reached the convention of the evacua-
tion by our troops of Ticonderoga, and their disastrous retreat
through Hubbardton, thus leaving all our western border open to
the ravages of Burgoyne with his Hessians and savages. It is
reported, that the first impulse of the convention was to separate
and look to the protection of their families at home, when " a severe
Vermont Day. 3S
thunderstorm came on and gave them time to reflect ;" and so they
stayed till their work was finished. The thunderstorm was a
blessed providence ; a voice from the skies proclaiming to the con-
vention a duty higher even than the personal protection of family
and home. And so Vermont received her christening and became
a state, though, for a time after, under the anomalous administration
of a Council of Safety, and, until March 4, 1791, fourteen years,
existed as an independent sovereignty, with all the attributes and
functions of sovereignty, when she was admitted as an equal mem-
ber of the Federal Union. In the meantime the American Revolu-
tion had been closed in a declared peace. The confederation of the
United States had been formed and dissolved, and the United States
Constitution had made of the United States a government. In this
construction of confederation and constitution Vermont had not been
allowed to take part, but during all these fourteen years she had
stood apart among her mountains in stern independency, defending
herself against states contending for her lands and life, disowned
by Congress, and having for years on her borders the common
enemy to fight with the weapons and the finesse of war. In all
this she did her work bravely and well ; and we do well to-day by
commemorating these labors of the fathers a hundred years ago.
This constitution of 1777 was more than a declaration of inde-
pendence and frame of government. It was a charter of human
liberty also. Thus the " Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabi-
tants of the State of Vermont," starts off with the broader declara-
tion, " that all men are born equally free and independent, and have
certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights ; amongst which are
the enjoying and defending life and liberty ; acquiring, possessing
and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and
safety." "Therefore" it is to this the logic leads " no male
person, born in this country or brought from over the sea, ought to be
holden by the law to serve any person as a servant, slave or appren-
tice, after he arrives to the % age of twenty-one years, nor female,
in like manner, after she arrives to the age of eighteen years, unless
they are bound by their own consent, after they arrive to such an
age."
3
34: Benmngton Centennial.
This provision of the constitution received judicial interpreta-
tion clear enough without it by the Supreme Court in 1802, that
no inhabitant of this state can hold a slave, and that by becoming
an inhabitant his slave brought from another state becomes free.
{Windsor v. Jacob, 2 Tyler's Reports, 192.) The bill of sale in
such case to be effective must, according to the traditional ruling
of Judge Theophilus Harrington, be under the hand and seal of
the Almighty. We give our fathers credit, that they did not dis-
tort the logic of their broad declaration of human rights, or attempt
$o accommodate an inflexible truth to the passion of power, or the
lust of gain ; that they were ready to award to all men what they
claimed for themselves, and stamped the soil of Vermont with the
seal of freedom for all, and forever.
Thus reviewing cursorily the early history of this state, we may
safely say, that none has a history more romantic in its incidents,
or more illusti'ious for the heroism and sagacity of its chief men ;.
nor more marked for the sturdy independence and honesty of its
people, for their energy, persistence, will indomitable to defend
their rights, and readiness to accord like rights to others. If we
of to-day have become spindling and weak, it is not the fault of the
fathers. True, we have not had their personal experience and
training in the hardships of pioneer life, to teach that practical
sagacity which comes of necessity ; nor yet that schooling of a
whole people in civil rights and law and statesmanship, which then-
long controversy with New York, New Hampshire, Great Britain
and Congress gave them, during the years of that great awakening
of thought which preceded, accompanied and followed the American
revolution, and made of plain men shi'ewd thinkers and wise judges.
But they have left us their thoughts, their spirit, their institutions,
town organizations, those little democracies where all the inhab-
itants, assembled in common meeting, discuss and decide all mat-
ters of local government, distribute the offices of administration
and jury service, by which, and the official service imposed upon
those esteemed the fittest, the people are put to school in the prin-
ciples of government and kept in training for the duties of civil
life, and made as one with the law which they make and administer.
Vermont Day. 35
They have left us, too, the school house and the meeting house,
and foundations for religious teaching, for the Grammar School and
the University, as well as cleared fields, roads, bridges and mills,
and we have entered into their labors.
It is a question which presses upon us, whether the state in its
subsequent development has proved itself worthy its origin, and
whether we of to-day deserve such ancestry ; how far the spirit and
the times of a hundred years ago have impressed themselves upon
the century, and made its history what it has been, and the people
what they are. In the way of partial answer to such questionings,
it may be truthfully said, that the age has not passed beyond the
impulse which first set in motion the state and its institutions ; that
the temper and spirit of the fathers are yet traceable in the moral
lineaments of their postei'ity ; that the principles upon which they
founded the state lie under it to-day, undisturbed in place upon the
bed-rock of truth, untouched by decay.
Thus, upon all questions of human liberty, especially in the fierce
conflicts which have since been waged between the absolute right
and the expedient wrong, between the doctrine of human equality
and the wild fantasy of property in man, Vermont has ever been
true to her early declaration, and fixed as her mountains ; exhib-
iting even an aggressive zeal for liberty and holy anger against
slavery, contemptuous of all excuse or apology for such invasion of
human rights. Thus it happened that the teachings of the early
abolitionists seemed to our people no new doctrine, but the awak-
ened echo of the voices of the fathers who had passed into silence,
and their appeals fell upon willing ears and sank into sympathizing
hearts. It was this kinship to the spirit of the fathers, which
impelled our people to the verge of the compromises of the national
constitution, or beyond it, in their legislation upon the subject of
fugitive slaves ; and made hostility to slavery the dominant question
of politics, making and unmaking parties, and moulding the policy,
or dictating the utterances of all parties. This spirit mingled
largely with the spirit of nationality which inspired our people to
the heroic devotion displayed in the late civil war, and made it, in
36 Bennington Centennial.
their esteem, a war twice holy, since in its issue was bound up as
well the liberty of the slave, as the nation's life.
So if we consider the pai't taken by Vermonters in the wars
which have arisen since the Revolution, it may be claimed of them
that they have not disgraced the memories of the men who took
Ticonderoga and conquered at Bennington. Thus Lake Champlain
and Flattsburgh cheered the rush of the Vermont farmers, to repel
the British invasion of 1814. So in 1861, the gun fired on Sum-
ter was heard in every hamlet in Vermont. The spirits of the
Green Mountain Boys of " the Grants," slumbering in the caves of
their mountains, seemed to arouse to a quickened life, and Allen,
Warner and their compeers once more to walk the earth. Every
heart was stirred with a divine anger, and from every valley, hill-
side and mountain top echoed back the responsive cry, " since you
will have it so, so be it and God defend the right." And so Ver-
mont sent forth to the fray some thirty-four thousand of her sons,
with her gift of blessing and armor of the spirit of the fathers, and
they so fought as to make the name of Vermont and the Vermont
Brigade a historic glory, and so died, to the number of five thou-
sand in the shock of battle, as only heroes know how to die. And
so the nation was saved by the sacrificial blood of her sons, the
issues of the fratricidal strife happily solving, as we trust, the riddle
of Samson, " Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the
strong came forth sweetness ;" the riddle of all time good out of
evil, the wrath of man praising God. Thus far, in spirit of free-
dom and self-sacrifice, in patriotic devotion and heroic courage, I
note no degeneracy. We are to bear in mind, that it is the times
and their necessities that search out the before undiscovered man
for the times, that the opportunity creates the man for the oppor-
tunity ; and the great occasion makes the man great for the occa-
sion, who, without such stress, would have seemed but common
clay, and have died without giving sign of the greatness that was
potential in him. So it is, that in the dull times of peace and the
humdrum quiet of easy life, the shades of the great men of a
heroic past loom high, and are enlarged to our vision by the misty
distance that lies between. This is well, since it keeps alive rever-
Vermont Day. 37
ence and aspiration, and kindles a divine emulation to be like them.
But as there were brave men before Agamemnon, so, as I think,
Vermont has had heroes since Ethan Allen and Seth Warner ; wise
governors since Thomas Chittenden ; accomplished diplomatists
since Ira Allen ; able statesmen, legislators and jurists since
Nathaniel Chipman, if not as great as he.
Those improved means of intercourse among men and readier
intercommunication of thought and knowledge, the result of novel
inventions and new applications of science which have marked the
present century and affected the civilization of the world, have not
passed Vermont by, and her people have thereby become less pro-
vincial, more cosmopolitan, less a peculiar people than our fathers
were. And yet, being largely an agricultural people, with no very
large towns or cities, with few millionaires and few very poor, and
little chance to become rich by speculations, we have not been
tempted to stray very far from our fathers' ways of industry, econ-
omy, simplicity of living and providence for the future. And,
since we are gathered here about the old hearth-stone, we may be
allowed, in the freedom and confidence of the family circle, to
felicitate ourselves as Vermonters, not only for what our fathers
were, for their heroic lives and historic deeds and the institutions
they created and transmitted to us, but that their posterity have so
faithfully guarded, preserved and wisely improved them, and have
so well kept alive the spirit of those institutions and the temper of
that heroic age ; that education is free, and that we have freedom
in religion, both moving in wider and deeper channels than afore"
time of culture and Christian charity ; that a greater softness of
manners has not made us effeminate ; that we are in good degree
a temperate, sober, self-restrained people, standing by good order
and obedience to law, conservative and yet progressing, having a
steadfastness that may be counted on, and a will of our own ; not
having parted with practical wisdom and common sense, nor yet
far departed from the religion of paying our debts.
From this little hive and nursery of men, how many have gone
forth to the broader and more inviting fields of the expanding West,
to the great marts of commerce, and wherever ihe spirit of adventure
38 JBennington Centennial.
has impelled, or of gain or ambition lured, can'ying with them the
temper and training of their birthplace, and planting in other fields
the seed germs they gathered in boyhood upon these mountain
sides. And as we have seen the emblematic pine tree of our state
come of such planting, towering ofttimes above the indigenous
trees of the land, with branches wide spreading and royal crown of
leaves, singing to the winds the music of its ancestral home, how
proudly have we cheered such vision, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
This seed of Vermont sowing, wherever cast, has bourgeoned into
harvests to the enrichment of many states, and credit to seed and
sower ; and we rejoice to-day to welcome the return of so many
of the sons of Vermont, bringing to our festival golden sheaves
of their culture and harvest.
One hundred years hence, when Vermont shall celebrate the
second centennial year of her life as a state, when we who to-day
commemorate the virtues of our historic fathers shall have long
passed into silence, and shall then, perchance, by search of genea-
logical records be discovered as the fathers of that age, alas, how
few of us will have attained other historic immortality, when
search among the musty papers of the then Vermont Historical
Society, to find record of the doings of this first centennial year,
shall withdraw, for a little, from oblivion these poor words which
now stir the air, may they, who shall then gather to look upon the
monuments which we now rear as memorials of a heroic age, as
they look back over the field of Vermont history for two hundred
years, and compare that past with the then present, find a state and
people softened by culture, yet true to the spirit of the primeval
state and of those who fouuded it, a people free, independent,
intelligent, industrious, sober, honest, conservative of the good,
aggressive towards the wrong, virtuous, T'eligious, a happy people
whose God is the Lord.
Vermont Day. 39
MRS. DORR'S POEM.
Professor J. W. Churchill of Andover, then read the poem
by Mrs. Julia C. B. Dorr of Rutland, entitled, " YEKMONT,"
as follows :
/
VERMONT.
i.
WOMAN-FORM, majestic, strong and fair,
Sitting enthroned where in upper air
Thy mountain-peaks in solemn grandeur rise,
Piercing the splendor of the summer skies,
Vermont ! Our mighty mother, crowned to-day
In all the glory of thy hundred years,
If thou dost bid me sing, how can I but obey ?
What though the lips may tremble, and the verse
That fain would grandly thy grand deeds rehearse
May trip and falter, and the stammering tongue
Leave all unrhymed the rhymes that should be sung ?
1 can but do thy bidding, as is meet,
Bowing in humble homage at thy feet
Thy royal feet and If my words are weak,
O crowned One, 'twas thou didst bid me speak !
ii.
Yet what is there to say,
Even on this proud day,
This day of days, that hath not oft been said ?
What song is there to sing
That hath not oft been sung ?
What laurel can we bring.
That Ages have not hung
A thousand times above their glorious dead ?
What crown to crown the living
Is left us for our giving,
That is not shaped to other brows
That wore it long ago ?
Our very vows but echo vows
Breathed centuries ago !
jBennington Centennial.
Earth has no choral strain,
No sweet or sad refrain,
No lofty psean swelling loud and clear,
That Virgil did not know,
Or Dante, wandering slow
In mystic trances, did not pause to hear !
When gods from high Olympus came
To touch old Homer's lips with flame,
The morning stars together sung
To teach their raptures to his tongue.
For him the lonely ocean moaned ;
For him the mighty winds intoned
Their deep-voiced chantings, and for him
Sweet flower-bells pealed in forests dim.
From earth and sea and sky he caught
The spell of their divinest thought,
While yet it blossomed fresh and new
As Eden's rosebuds wet with dew !
Oh ! to have lived when earth was young,
With all its melodies unsung !
The dome of Heaven bent nearer then
When gods and angels talked with men,
When Song itself was newly born,
The Incarnation of the Morn I
But now, alas ! all thought is old,
All life is but a story told,
And poet-tongues are manifold ;
And he is bold who tries to wake
Even for God, or Country's sake,
In voice, or pen, or lute, or lyre,
Sparks of the old Promethean fire !
m.
And yet, O Earth, thank God ! the soul of song
Is as immortal as the eternal stars !
O, trembling heart ! take courage and be strong.
Hark ! to a voice from yonder crystal bars :
" Did the roses blow last June ?
Do the stars still rise and set ?
And over the crests of the mountains
Are the light clouds floating yet ?
Vermont Day. 41
Do the rivers run to the sea
With a deep, resistless flow ?
Do the little birds sing north and south
As the seasons come and go ?
" Are the hills as fair as of old ?
Are the skies as blue and far ?
Have you lost the pomp of the sunset,
Or the light of the evening star ?
Has the glory gone from the morning?
Do the wild winds wail no more?
Is there now no thunder of billows
Beating the storm-lashed shore ?
" Is Love a forgotten story ?
Is Passion a jester's theme ?
Has Valor thrown down its armor ?
Is Honor an idle dream ?
Is there no pure trust in woman ?
No conquering faith in God ?
Are there no feet strong to follow
In the paths the martyrs trod ?
" Did you find no hero graves
When your violets bloomed last May
Prouder than those of Marathon,
Or ' old Platea's day ' ?
When your red and whitejand blue
On the free winds fluttered out,
Were there no strong hearts and voices
To receive it with a shout ?
Oh ! let the Earth grow old !
And the burning stars grow cold !
And, if you will, declare man's story told !
Yet, pure as faith is pure,
And sure as death is sure,
As long as love shall live, shall song endure ! "
IV.
When one by one the stately, silent Years
Glide like pale ghosts beyond our yearning sight
Vainly we stretch our arms to stay their flight,
So soon, so swift, they pass to endless night !
We hardly learn to name them,
Bennington Centennial.
To praise them, or to blame them,
To know their shadowy faces,
Ere we see their empty places !
Only once the glad Spring greets them ;
Only once fair Summer meets them ;
Only once the Autumn glory
Tells for them its mystic story ;
Only once the Winter hoary
Weaves for them its robes of light !
Years leave their work half-done ; like men, alas !
With sheaves ungathered to their graves they pass,
And are forgotten. What they strive to do
Lives for a while in memory of a few ;
Then over all Oblivion's waters flow
The Tears are buried in the Long Ago !
But when a Century dies, what room is there for tears ?
Rather in solemn exaltation let us come,
With roll of drum,
(Not muffled as in woe,)
With blare of bugles, and the liquid flow
Of silver clarions, and the long appeal
Of the clear trumpets ringing peal on peal,
With clash of bells, and hosts in proud array
To pay meet homage to its burial day !
For its proud work is done. Its name is writ
Where all the ages that come after it
Shall read the eternal letters blazoned high
On the blue dome of the impartial sky.
What ruthless fate can darken its renown,
Or dim the lustre of its starry crown ?
On mountain-peaks of Time each Century stands alone ;
And each, for glory or for shame, hath reaped what it hath sown.
But this the one that gave thee birth
A hundred years ago, O beauteous mother !
This mighty century had a mightier brother,
Who from the watching earth
Passed but last year ! Twin-born indeed were they,
For what are twelve months to the womb of time
Pregnant with ages ? Hand in hand they climbed
With clear, young eyes uplifted to the stars,
Vermont Day.
With great, strong souls that never stopped for bars,
Through storm and darkness up to glorious day !
Each knew the other's need ; each in his breast
The subtle tie of closest kin confessed ;
Counted the other's honor as his own ;
Nor feared to sit upon a separate throne ;
Nor loved each other less when wondrous fate !
One gave a Nation life, and one a State !
Oh ! rude the cradle in which each was rocked,
The infant Nation, and the infant State !
Rough nurses were the Centuries, that mocked
At mother-kisses, and for mother-arms
Gave their young nurslings sudden har&h alarms,
Quick blows and stern rebuffs. They bade them wait,
Often in cold and hunger, while the feast
Was spread for others, and, though last not least,
Gave them sharp swords for playthings, and the din
Of actual battle for the mimic strife
That childhood glories in !
Yet not the less they loved them. Spartans they,
Who could not rear a weak, effeminate brood.
Better the forest's awful solitude,
Better the desert spaces, where the day
Wanders from dawn to dusk and finds no life !
But over all the tireless years swept on,
Till side by side the Centuries grew old,
And the young Nation, great and strong and bold,
Forgot its early struggles, in triumphs later won !
It stretched its arms from East to West ;
It gathered to its mighty breast
From every clime, from every soil,
The hunted sons of want and toil ;
It gave to each a dwelling-place ;
It blent them in one common race ;
And over all, from sea to sea,
Wide flew the banner of the free !
It did not fear the wrath of kings,
44 Bennington Centennial.
Nor the dread grip of deadlier things
Gaunt Famine with its ghastly horde,
Dishonor sheathing its foul sword.
Nor faithless friend, nor treacherous blow
Struck in the dark by stealthy foe ;
For over all its wide domain,
From shore to shore, from main to main,
From vale to mountain-top, it saw
The reign of plenty, peace, and law !
Thus fared the Nation, prosperous, great, and free,
Prophet and herald of the good to be ;
And on its humbler way, in calm content,
The lesser State, the while, serenely went.
Safe in her mountain fastnesses she dwelt,
Her life's first cares forgot, its woes unfelt,
And thought her bitterest tears had all been shed,
For peace was in her borders, and God reigned overhead.
But suddenly over the hills there came
A cry that rent her with grief and shame
A cry from the Nation in sore distress,
Stricken down in the pride of its mightiness !
With passionate ardor up she sprang,
And her voice like the peal of a trumpet rang,
" What ho ! what ho ! brave sons of mine,
Strong with the strength of the mountain pine !
To the front of the battle, away ! away !
The Nation is bleeding in deadly fray,
The Nation, it may be, is dying to-day !
On, then, to the rescue ! away ! away ! "
Ah ! how they answered let the ages tell,
For they shall guard the sacred story well !
Green grows the grass, to-day, on many a battle field ;
War's dread alarms are o'er ; its scars are healed ;
Its bitter agony has found surcease ;
A re-united land clasps hands in peace.
But, oh ! ye blessed dead, whose graves are strown
Vermont Day. 45
From where our forests make perpetual moan,
To those far shores where smiling Southern seas
Give back soft murmurs to the fragrant breeze,
Oh ! ye who drained for us the bitter cup,
Think ye we can forget what ye have offered up ?
The years will come and go, and other centuries die,
And generation after generation lie
Down in the dust ; but long as stars shall shine,
Long as Vermont's green hills shall bear the pine,
As long as Killington shall proudly lift
Its lofty peak above the storm-cloud's rift,
Or Mansfield hail the blue, o'erarching skies,
Or fair Mount Anthony in grandeur rise,
So long shall live the deeds that ye have done,
So deathless be the glory ye have won !
Not with exultant joy
And pride without alloy,
Did the twin Centuries rejoice when all was o'er.
What though the Nation rose
Triumphant o'er its foes ?
What though the State had gained
The meed of faith unstained ?
Their mighty hearts remembered the dead that came no more
Remembered all the losses,
The weary, weary crosses,
Remembered earth was poorer for the blood that had been shed
And knew that it was sadder for the story it had read !
So clasping hands with somewhat saddened mien,
And eyes uplifted to the Great Unseen
That rules alike o'er Centuries and men,
Onward they walked serenely towards the End !
One reached it last year. Ye remember well
The wondrous tale there is no need to tell
How the whole world bowed down beside its bier
How all the Nations came, from far or near,
Heaping their treasures on its mighty pall
Never had kingliest king such funeral I
46 Bennington Centennial.
Old Asia rose, and girding her in haste,
Swept in her jewelled robes across the waste,
And called to Egypt lying prone and hid
Where waits the Sphinx beside the pyramid ;
Fair Europe came with overflowing hands,
Bearing the riches of her many lands ;
Dark Afric, laden with her virgin gold,
Yet laden deeper with her woes untold ;
Japan and China in grotesque array,
And all the enchanted islands of Cathay !
Tc day the other dies.
It walked in humbler guise,
Nor stood where all men's eyes
Were fixed upon it.
Earth may not pause to lay
A wreath upon its bier,
Nor the world heed to-day
Our dead that lieth here !
Yet well they loved each other
It and its greater brother.
To loftiest stature grown.
Each earned its own renown ;
Each sought of Time a crown,
And each has won it !
But what to us are Centuries dead,
And rolling Years forever fled,
Compared with thee, O grand and fair
Vermont our Goddess-mother ?
Strong with the strength of thy verdant hills.
Fresh with the freshness of mountain-rills,
Pure as the breath of the fragrant pine,
Glad with the gladness of youth divine,
Serenely thou sittest throned to-day
Where the free winds that round thee play
Rejoice in thy waves of sun-bright hair,
O thou, our glorious mother !
Vermont Day. 47
Rejoice in thy beautiful strength and say
Earth holds not such another !
Thou art not old with thy hundred years,
Nor worn with toil, or care, or tears ;
But all the glow of the summer-time
Is thine to-day in thy glorious prime !
Thy brow is fair as the winter-snows,
With a stately calm in its still repose ;
While the breath of the rose the wild bee sips
Half-mad with joy, cannot eclipse
The marvellous sweetness of thy lips ;
And the deepest blue of the laughing skies
Hides in the depths of thy fearless eyes,
Gazing afar over land and sea
Wherever thy wandering children be !
Fold on fold,
Over thy form of grandest mould,
Floweth thy robe of forest green,
Now light, now dark, in its emerald sheen.
Its broidered hem is of wild flowers rare,
With feathery fern-fronds light as air
Fringing its borders. In thy hair
Sprays of the pink arbutus twine,
And the curling rings of the wild grape vine.
Thy girdle is woven of silver streams ;
Its clasp with the opaline lustre gleams
Of a lake asleep in the sunset beams ;
And, half concealing
And half revealing,
Floats over all a veil of mist
Pale tinted with rose and amethyst !
Rise up, O noble mother of great sons,
Worthy to rank among earth's mightiest ones,
And daughters fair and beautiful and good,
Yet wise and strong in loftiest womanhood,
Rise from thy throne, and standing far and high
Outlined against the blue, adoring sky,
Lift up thy voice, and stretch thy loving hands
In benediction o'er these waiting lands !
48 Bennington Centennial.
Take them our fealty ! at thy feet we bew,
Glad to renew each oft-repeated vow !
No costly gifts we bring to thee to-day ;
No votive wreaths upon thy shrine we lay ;
Take thou our hearts, then ! hearts that fain would be
From this day forth, O goddess, worthier thee !
At the conclusion of the poem, the president of the day
introduced ex-Governor Joseph R. Hawley as the representa-
tive of Connecticut, who spoke substantially as follows :
GENERAL HAWLEY'S ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I am more afraid than I thought I should be. I found myself
among the " and others " for brief remarks to-day, and here I am
called on to speak in the presence of the still thrilling and glorious
words of the poem and oration. With all his heart he would say a
good word about Vermont. He felt proud that Vermont was the
child of Connecticut. He said that he did not in any respect feel
he was a stranger, and referred to Rev. Mr. Jennings and others
present whom he i-ecognized as from Connecticut. He congratu-
lated those present, and joined them in thanking God for a hundred
years of Vermont history. He spoke glowingly of the exploit of
the eighty-three men in capturing Ticonderoga, fifty prisoners and one
hundred and twenty cannon the first time the British flag struck
to the young republic. The speaker read numerous extracts from
documents pertaining to the actions of old-time patriots, and the
judgment of the English government in regard to them. He
thought that Connecticut men must have had a good share in the
organization of Vermont govei-nment ; fifty-five towns in the state
are namesakes of Connecticut towns, and he found a similarity
between certain parts of the statute books of the two states. Per-
haps Vermonters had proposed to save trouble by conveying some
of the Connecticut laws. All wished for Vermont another hundred
years of true and solid prosperity. Gen. Hawley kept the large
audience in the best of spirits, interspersing frequent sallies of wit,
Vermont Day. 49
of which the audience showed their appreciation by hearty
applause.
ADDRESS OF EX-GOVERNOR HARRIMAN OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
As the representative of New Hampshire, ex-Governor "Wal-
ter Harriman said :
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens :
I thank you for this cordial greeting. I thank you for the honor
of being called to speak for New Hampshire. I stand on ground
made sacred by the great conflict of a hundred years ago, a con-
flict in which New Hampshire, with her foremost chieftain, held
the commanding post. I stand on ground dear to every New
Hampshire man for the further reason that that state claimed, not
only the territory of Bennington, but the whole of Vermont, as
her own, previous to the Revolutionary War. This old, historic
town, was named in honor of Benning Wentworth, royal governor
of New Hampshire, who granted it to proprietors, with a hundred
and thirty others, during his reign ; and in this very vicinage Col.
Seth Warner and his sturdy men fought gallantly to defend these
grants against the adverse claim of New York. But the struggles
of the infant colonies for independence came on, and the beautiful
state of the Green Mountains was born of the Revolution.
New Hampshire, which I have the honor to represent here
to-day, was one of the original thirteen states. Previous to the
Revolution, New Hampshire hills had glowed with beacon fires,
New Hampshire valleys had echoed the songs of liberty. Can any
forget the names of STARK, and Langdon, and Sullivan, and Me
Clary and their associates? Can any forget that when Bunker Hill
was baptized in blood, New Hampshire furnished more than a
thousand men, and more than two-thirds the whole number engaged
in that battle? Can any forget that on the 16th day of August,
1777, New Hampshire was at Bennington? Can any forget that
when the navy of the Revolution consisted of but seven ships, New
Hampshire furnished one? that when her proportionate share of the
4
50 Bennington Centennial.
burdens ot the war was but one-forty-seventh, she assumed one-
thirty-eighth ? Can any forget that she was the first of the thir-
teen colonies to establish a constitutional state government inde-
pendent of the crown ?
Daniel Webster never said, " New Hampshire is a good state to
emigrate from" It's a libel on his fair fame. Webster revered
the mountains, the men, the institutions and the history of his-
native state till the day he died ! And no New Hampshire man
need have his cheek mantle with shame as he ponders the
history of that state. On the contrary, we may exult to recall such
illustrious proofs of the ardent patriotism of our ancestors. We
may do this, as we review other facts not simply to appease curi-
osity or to flatter our pride, but that we may open up sources of
perennial inspiration which shall invigorate our own lives and edu-
cate the lives of our children.
But, sir, permit me for a moment to take a broader scope. The
states are one and the Union is one. And though there may be
clouds in the political horizon, the day is not dark. This is no time
to despond. This is no time to argue a blurred and disgraceful
futui-e. The outlook from this hour is too glorious. I see before
me a nation whose sons and daughters toil nobly for the right ; who
go forth in long procession to serve humanity. I see our vast ter-
ritory peopled with a peace-loving, man-serving and God-fearing
race. I see the treasures of earth and hill, of stream and mine,
made subservient to the common behoof. I see a purer, stronger
patriotism, seeking the welfare of the country and the advancement
of the world. 1 see our own nation, as the vanguard of God's
hosts, leading the nations of the earth to the hoped-for millennium.
I see the sword raised only as the symbol of justice. I see hill
sides crowned with vines, and fields clothed with plenty, and valleys
filled with busy industry and happy life. I see a generous-hearted,
stout-handed and sound-brained people, rejoicing in enlarged pros-
perity and the sovereignty of virtue and right, and looking back to-
the festivals of these centennial years throughout the land as the
beginning of their new and stronger life.
Vermont Day. 51
So have I faith in the future. What was written by Esdras,
near the willow-fringed rivers of Babylon, more than twenty-three
centuries ago, still holds good. " As for Truth, it endureth and in
always strong ; It liveth and conquereth foreverraore."
REMARKS OF GENERAL BANKS.
In behalf of Massachusetts, ex-Governor Nathaniel P. Banks
said, in substance :
He expressed his regrets that the sickness of the chief magistrate
of the state of Massachusetts prevented his appearance in behalf of
the Bay State. He had heard so much eloquence, and such au
admirable historic address, that the remarks he should make would
form only a sort of background for the illustration of those other
and more interesting literary performances. They had heard the
gentleman from Connecticut, who thought Connecticut was such a
fine state. He should judge from what he had heard that every
Connecticut man that came here must have found an office. New
Hampshire is also a fine state, and the people of New Hampshire
are a fine people, whether or not it is a good state to emigrate from.
He did not think from what he had heard that Vermont would have
had very much left for herself, if New Hampshire could have had
her way. Massachusetts had in the early history of Vermont taken
the part of the Green Mountain Boys in their sorrows and troubles.
He was not very much learned in the facts of that portion of history,
but he thought that upon the roster of Vermont could be found a
goodly number of Massachusetts men. He did not believe that
Massachusetts had ever claimed any portion of the Vermont territory.
Nevertheless, Massachusetts had a good name. Its people are good ;
and he was not at all surprised when he arrived at Bennington this
morning, to see such good looking men and women. If there were
any bad citizens among them, or any who need reclamation, all that
is necessary would be to marry them to Vermont women, and all
would be right. New York is a fine state ; the honorable president
of the day, and the learned and eloquent secretary of state would
excuse his saying it, but he remembered, when Vermont was struggling
52 Bennington Centennial.
for admission to the union of states, New York would not allow
her to come in unless she would give up a large portion of her
territory. He had always thought it was the concession of
territory wrung by New York from the state and people of Ver-
mont, which laid the foundation of magnificent prosperity for the
state of New York. But the occasion was one that called for some-
thing more than mere historical reminiscences. It had been com-
mented upon by eloquent speakers in words that will live forever,
that will be the text-book of those who come after us, either here
or elsewhere. We must remember that the lesson of this day is to
continue the example set before us by those who are departed.
The liberty that had been purchased by the blood of American
heroes, and cultured and preserved by American statesmen, is the
liberty that came here to stay, and as long as men and women of
the original stock hold possession of the government, it will stay,
and be maintained in its perfection. Gen. Banks then referred to
the letters of Junius, that friend of liberty and of the rights of
man, who battled for liberty against Parliament, who bearded the
king in his palace, and spoke words of fire that will live forever,
whose love of liberty caused him to dedicate his letters to the peo-
ple. " Men and women of Great Britain," he says to them, " the
fee simple of the country and government is ours," and that was
all the founders of the American government said at their com-
mencement. The fee simple is ours. This country, with its atmos-
phere of wealth and power is oui-s, and God giving us the strength
and capacity, we will maintain it. What then will preserve this
liberty that distinguishes our country ? It is truth. It is the truth
that makes men free. Nothing but this will make us so. It is that
which nerved our fathers, patriots and statesmen and heroes, whose
grand acts we have met here to celebrate. Nothing but truth gave
to them the victory, and in regard to the machinery of the govern-
ment the same thing is true. He had nothing further to say for
Massachusetts, other than to wish the Vermonters God-speed and
prosperity, and all power and strength in the great work that is
before them.
Vermont Day. 53
SPEECH OP GOVERNOR CONNOR.
His Excellency Selden Connor, governor of Maine, responded
in behalf of that state in these words :
Vermont and Maine are the only New England states that were
not among those that established the federal union. So stands the
record. The fact remains that Vermont was with them if she was
not of them ; that a hundred years ago, when the contest for
American independence was wavering in the balance, there was
here formed and declared a state which has never since then ceased
to maintain its existence as such. The decrees of courts, the
dictates of the king, and the resolutions of congress were powerless
to prevent or defeat it. It derived its sanction and title from a
higher authority than these. It rested upon the will of a people
who knew their rights, and knowing, dared maintain them. What
a strenuous liberty was theirs ! Struggling to protect themselves
from a state which demanded not only their allegiance, but their
lands and homesteads as well the hard earned and dearly prized
fruits of their toil, they were yet not unmindful of the broader and
higher cause and fought with their countrymen for human rights
and freedom. It is not to be wondered at that the traditions of the
peculiar hardships that attended the birth of the state, should have
developed in the people of Vermont a little stronger and sturdier
feeling of state pride than exists in other states. It is a forcible
illustration of that sentiment that in the late war Vermont urged a
separate organization of her regiments, and the general government,
in recognition of the spirit of her people and perhaps also of the
propriety of making some reparation for the ancient neglect when
Vermont was kept waiting at the door of the union, complied with
the request and accorded her a privilege that was granted in but
few other instances; and so the Green Mountain Boys, standing
shoulder to shoulder in a brigade of the army of the Potomac that
was " far-famed for noble deeds," and in that younger brigade which
contributed so grandly to the glories of Gettysburg, shed fresh
renown on the name of their state.
54 Bennington Centennial.
This occasion, the worthy celebration of an important event and
of a period of heroic action, is most prolific of stirring thoughts
and patriotic reflections. The men of that day had the wisdom to
perceive their duty and the courage to do it. Not only you who are
their descendants, but all who love to honor whatever is just and
great in human aims and deeds, will ever hold in high regard the
memory of the fathers of this commonwealth, who bequeathed to
their country a noble, freedom-loving state, and an example which
will tend to keep the spirit of liberty fresh and beautiful as are the
elopes of the green hills which they loved and battled for.
GOVERNOR VAN ZANDT.
His Excellency Charles C. Van Zandt, governor of Rhode
Island, in responding for his state, said :
" Our state is not a large one, and I still smell her forges, ar;'
the aroma of her ocean blends with the freshness of your green fields
and the winds from your mountain lops. As I saw the golden rays
of the sun reflected from old Greylock I forgot that I was nurtured by
the seashore, and became a Vermonter. When I looked upon your
green mountains, I wished that I was a Vermonter. When I saw
the red cheeks of your girls and saw the sparkle in their eyes, I
wished that I was a sculptor. When I listened to the heaven-born
words of your poetical genius, I wished that I was a poet. When
I listened to the thoughts of your great men, I wished that I was
an orator.' 1 Continuing, he said, in substance : When he had
started from home he had thought what he might bring. He could
not bring flowers to this state, because the mountains were decked
with them from their heads where the stars shone in glittering con-
stellations, to where their feet are bathed in the silver lakes and
beautiful rivers of the state. So they do not want flowers, except
a little rosemary that is for remembrance. As he was talk-
ing, he could hear a rustling of the tent, the wind floating across
the hills of this state, bringing to the cheeks of the women of the
state a ruddy look, and giving light and life to their eyes God
bless them ! He wished this wind could sweep through the great
Vermont Day. 55
cities, where sickness and disease lurks ; he wished it could purify
the whole body politic. He then referred to the late centennial of
Prescott's capture while in bed at Newport, and the burning of the
Gaspee in Rhode Island waters ; also, to the fact that his state had
given to the country the noble hearted Burnside. " I am a Dutch-
man," he said, " but a regenerated Dutchman ; and now I am a
Yankee Dutchman."
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT.
President Hayes, accompanied by Mrs. Hayes and members
of his family, Attorney General Devens, Secretary of War
McCrary and Postmaster General Key, of his cabinet the
Secretary of State, "William M. Everts, being already m town
arrived in Bennington about four o'clock, Wednesday after-
noon. The presidential party were met at Troy by Col. Geo.
1. Merrill of the Vermont Centennial Commission, and Col.
Geo. D. Harrington of Washington, and were escorted from
thence, over the Troy & Boston Railroad to Bennington. At
the State line Adjutant General Peck greeted the president
and, in behalf of the state authorities, welcomed him to the
state. At the station in Bennington the party was met by
Gov. Fairbanks and, escorted by the Yermont and New Hamp-
shire militia, was driven to the residence of Rev. Mr. Tibbetts,
Bennington Center, where they rein ained during their stay in
town. In the evening, the presid ent held an informal recep-
tion at the Walloomsac house, which was largely attended.
During his stay, a detachment of the veteran volunteers, con-
sisting of twenty wounded and war worn Yermont soldisrs,
was detailed as a special escort and marched by the side of his
carriage whenever he appeared in public.
56 Benmngton Centennial.
BENNINGTON BATTLE DAY.
The commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the
Battle of Bennington August 1.6, 1877 was commenced with
a salute, at sunrise, from a battery of four guns being the same
cannon captured from the British, at Bennington, just one
hundred years ago fired by the Portsmouth Heavy Artillery^
(Co. K. 1st Regt. N. H. Militia) and by the ringing of the
church bells. The streets were soon thronged with people,
and, at an early hour in the morning, the various organizations
began to arrive and take position in the place assigned them.
All the public buildings and most of the private residences
and places of business, especially those along the route of the
procession were handsomely decorated with flags, bunting,
streamers, flowers and mottoes ; while all points of interest
connected with the battle of Bennington, with the early his-
tory of the town, and with the beginning of the state govern-
ment of Yermont and the revolutionary period generally, were
designated by inscriptions, giving clear and concise statements
of the events commemorated. It would be invidious, where
all was so handsomely and elaborately, yet simply, done, to
particularize special decorations ; yet we cannot forbear to
mention one. The grand central feature, so to speak, of the
decorations was a triumphal arch at the conjunction of Main,
North and South streets. This was a magnificent structure,
decorated upon either side with the coats-of-arms of the several
states, with that of Yermont on the keystone, while on the
reverse was that of the United States, and upon either side was
MAJ. GEN. JOHN STARK .
Bennington. Battle Day. 57
inscribed the words " Peace has her victories no less than war,"
and the historic words of Gen. Stark, " There are the red-
coats ; they are ours, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow to-night ;"
and upon either post, supporting the structure, the dates
" 1777," " 1877 " respectively.
THE PROCESSION
was formed, under the direction of Maj. A. B. Valentine, chief
marshal, at the foot of County street in the following order :
PLATOON OF POLICE.
A. B. Valentine, Chief Marshal.
ASSISTANTS TO THE CHIEF MARSHAL:
Gen. J. N. Patterson of New Hampshire,
Col. Isaac F. Kingsbury of Massachusetts.
CHIEF MARSHAL'S STAFF:
*Maj. E. N. S. Morgan, Chief of Staff.
Col. J. H. Goulding, Adjutant General.
Maj. S. H. Brown, Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. E. L. Roberts, Assistant Adjutant General.
J. L. Martin, Chief Quartermaster.
H. G. Root, Assistant Quartermaster.
*Chas. E. Dewey, H. B. Kent,
Barber Chase, Park Valentine,
J. K. Batchelder, C. R. Sanford,
*M. B. Morgan, O. D. Adams.
Col. H. B. Clapp, W. E. Hawks,
Col. A. G. Watson, C. H. Forbes,
George A. Smith, H. E. Bradford,
Edward Kingsley, W. A. Root,
G. H. Day, S. B. Hall,
Moses Robinson, W. H. Willard,
*01in Scott, Gilman Warren,
James H. White, A. J. Tucker,
58 Bennington Centennial.
G. B. Sibley, Dexter Waite,
Capt. H. L. Shields, S. D. Curtis.
Ransom Guard Band.
FIRST REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARD OF VERMONT,
Col. T. S. Peck, Commanding.
With the cannon captured from the British in the Battle of Ben-
nington, August 16th, 1777, in charge of a detail from Fuller's
Battery, N. Gr. of Vermont,
Escorting the Procession.
Park Guard Band.
Park Guard of Bennington, (Co. K 1st Reg. N. G. of Vt.) Capt.
N. O. Wilcox, escorting
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor and Commander-in
Chief, and Staff.
STAFF :
Brig. General James S. Peck, Adjutant and Inspector General.
Brig. General Levi G. Kingsley, Quartermaster General.
Brig. Gen. Joel H. Lucia, Judge Advocate General.
Dr. Henry C. Newell, Surgeon General.
Col. John A. Sheldon, Chief of Staff.
AIDS:
Col. J. J. Estey, Col. W. G. Veazey,
Col. Albert C. Hubbell, Col. Wm. Wells,
Col. A. W. Hastings, Col. E. A. Chittenden,
Col. Roswell Faruham. Col. A. B. Jewett,
Col. Wm. W. Grout, Col. W. P. Dillingham,
Col. Fred. E. Smith.
A. E. Rankin, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
Hon. E. J. Phelps, Chairman Vermont Centennial Commission and
President of the Day.
Company of Veteran Soldiers, detailed from the Reunion Organi-
zation as special escort to
The President of the United States.
Bennington Battle Day. 59
CABINET :
Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary of State,
Hon. Charles Devens, Attorney General,
Hon. Geo. W. McCrary, Secretary of War,
Hon. David M. Key, Post Master General.
FIRST DIVISION.
Col. W. G. Veazey, Marshal Commanding.
STAFF :
Maj. E. J. Ormsbee, Col. K. Haskins,
Col. M. S. Colburn, Maj. R. B. Ames,
Capt. E. A. Morse, Capt. E. H. Armstrong.
Brandon Cornet Band.
Putnam Phalanx Fife and Drum Corps.
Putnam Phalanx of Hartford, Connecticut,
Maj. F. M. Brown, Commanding, escorting,
The Orator of the Day, President Bartlett of Dartmouth College.
Reader of Poem by William Cullen Bryant, Prof. J. W. Churchill
of Andover, Mass.
BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION,
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, President.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, A. P. Childs, Charles E. Dewey,
Olin Scott.
Members of the Association.
VERMONT CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
First Vice-President, Hon. Hiland Hall.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :
Henry G. Root, Chairman ; M. C. Huling, A. B. Valentine, Geo. A.
Merrill, C. S. Page, Charles M. Bliss, Secretary.
Members of the Commission.
United States Senators. Representatives in Congress.
Vice Admiral S. C. Rowan, U. S. Navy.
60 Bennington Centennial.
GOVERNORS OF STATES.
His Excellency Sheldon Connor, Governor of Maine.
STAFF :
Brig. General J. P. Cilley, Adjutant General.
Brig. General C. W. Tilden, Inspector General.
Col. H. N. Small, Asst. Surgeon General.
Col. H. H. Burbank, Asst. Judge Advocate General.
Lt. Col. J. B. Peaks, Asst. Commissary General.
Aides-de-Camp :
Lt. Col. F. C. Heath, Lt. Col. J. W. Spaulding,
Lt. Col. Philo Hersey, Lt. Col. J. T. Richards.
His Excellency Charles C. Van Zandt, Governor of Rhode Island
STAFF !
Brig. General H. C. Favour, Adjutant General.
Col. S. R. Honey, Chief of Staff.
AIDS:
Col. F. G. Allen, Col. George T. French,
Col. J. P. Sanborn, Col. W. J. Cozzens,
, Col. Charles Potter, Col. A. Prescott Baker.
Hon. John Addeman, Secretary of State.
Distinguished Guests.
SECOND DIVISION.
Col George W. Hooker Marshal, Commanding.
STAFF :
Col. D. D. Wheeler, Chief of Staff.
Gen. W. W. Lynde, j .ssistant Adjutant General.
Maj. Henry R. Chase, Assistant Adjutant General.
Maj. H. R. Lawrence, Assistant Adjutant General.
Barney Cameron, S. Wright Bowker,
C. M. Russell, S. W. Bailey,
H. F. Brooks, H. M. Currier,
Bennington Battle Day. 61
Dr. E. J. Titus, A. M. McDonald,
A. R. Dunklee, It. M. Silsby,
A. Starkey, H. G. Porter,
J. G. Taylor, Maj. B. R. Jenne,
C. W. Stewart, C. L. Piper,
D. S. Priest, Dr. Henry Tucker,
C. H. Norton, Col. Preston C. F. West,
Maj. R..M. Gould, J. G. Martin,
C. F. Estabrook, B. F. Phelps,
G. E. Selleck, N. I. Hawley,
Dr. Walter Mendelson, F. E. Ray,
H. E. Taylor, H. M. Wilder,
J. H. Cutler.
VETERAN SOLDIERS' REUNION.
*Col. J. H. Walbridge Commanding, and Staff.
Sherman Band. N
1st Brigade Col. A. F. Walker Commanding, and Staff.
Band.
2d Brigade Col. F. G. Butterfield Commanding, and Staff*.
Band.
8d Brigade Col. A. S. Tracy Commanding, and Staff".
Band.
4th Brigade Col. F. V. Randall Commanding, and Staff.
Guests of the Reunion
STATE GOVERNMENT OK VERMONT.
Executive Department.
His Honor, Redfield Proctor, Lieutenant Governor.
George Nichols, Secretary of State.
John A. Page, Treasurer.
Jed P. Ladd, Auditor.
THE STATE JUDICIARY.
Hon. John Pierpoint, Chief Justice.
Hon. James Barrett, Hon. Homer E. Royce, Hon. Timothy P.
Redfield, Hon. Jonathan Ross, Hon. H. Henry Powers,
Hon. Walter C. Dunton, Justices.
62 Bennington Centennial,
The Senate of Vermont, Hon. Wm. W. Grout, President pro tern.
F. W. Baldwin, Secretary.
The House of Resresentatives, Hon. John W. Stewart, Speaker.
George R. Chapman, Clerk.
Ex-Governors of Vermont.
Other Civic and Military Organizations of Vermont.
Bennington Fire Department.
THIRD DIVISION.
Gen. W. W. Henry, Marshal, Commanding.
STAFF.
Maj. E. P. Fan-, Chief of Staff.
James B. Scully, A. A. G., George Austin, Maj. A. Austin, Buel J.
Derby.
Manchester Cornet Band.
Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, N. H., Maj. A. C. Wallace
Commanding, escorting
His Excellency B. F. Prescott, Governor of New Hampshire.
STAFF.
Col. Solon A. Carter, Chief of Staff.
Col. B. W. Hoyt, Col. Charles A. Gillis,
Col. John Bracewell, Col. -T. E. Pecker,
Col. George L. Ordway, Col. Geo. H. Stowell,
Col. A. W. Quint, Col. Charles H. Greenleaf,
Col. M. A. Haynes, Col. Ossian Ray.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL :
Hon J. B. Smith, Hon. John M. Parker, Hon. Edward Spaulding,.
Hon. Francis A. Cushmau, Hon. Jeremiah Blodgett.
STATE OFFICERS :
Hon. A. B. Thompson, Secretary of State.
Hon. Solon A. Carter, Treasurer.
Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, State Historian.
Wm. H. Sise, Commissary General.
President of the Senate, Hon. Natt Head.
Bennington Battle Day. 63
Speaker of the House, Hon. A. A. Woolson.
Legislature of New Hampshire.
Col. Charles C. Danforth, Clerk of the House.
A. W. Baker, Assistant Clerk of the House.
Manchester War Veterans of New Hampshire Militia, Capt. Geo.
H. Dodge, escorting City Government of Manchester, N. H.
Hon. Ira Cross, Mayor.
Nathan P. Kidder, City Clerk.
Hon. H. R. Chamberlain, City Treasurer.
Hon. John M. Staunton, President of Common Council.
Aldermen and Members of Common Council.
Brown's JJand.
Battallion of New Hampshire Militia, Col. D. M. White, Com-
manding.
Portsmouth Heavy Artillery, Co. K, 1st Reg., Capt. J. D. Vaughn,
Commanding.
Gov. Cheney Guards, Peterboro, Co B 1st Reg., Capt. J. F. Moore,
Commanding.
Stafford Guards, Dover, Co. A, 2d Reg., Capt. J. S. Abbott, Com-
manding.
Hinsdale Guards, Co. C, 2d Reg., Capt. Horace Hosford, Com-
manding.
State Capitol Guards, Concord, Co. K, lid Reg., Capt. George M.
Felt, Commanding.
Commissioned Officers New Hampshire State Militia.
FOURTH DIVISION.
*CoI. John E. Pratt, Marshal Commanding.
STA.FF :
Capt. E. C. Houghton. Chief of Staff.
H. S. Bingham, Assistant Adjutant General,
J. V. Hupf, *Fied. Pratt,
*Andrew Keyes.
Boston Cadet Band, 26 pieces, J. C. Mullaly, Band Master.
64 Bennington Centennial.
First Corps of Cadets, Lt. Col. Thomas F. Edmunds, Commanding,
escorting
His Honor, Horatio G. Knight, Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts.
STAFF :
Maj. Gen, James A. Cunningham, Adjutant General.
Col. I. F. Kingsbury, Assistant Adjutant General.
Col. C. Frank Luther, Assistant Adjutant General.
Brig. Gen. O. G. Atwood, Inspector General.
Col. E. G. Stevens, Assistant Inspector General.
Lt. Col. A. H. Berry, Assistant Inspector General.
Lt, Col. F. Mason, Assistant Inspector General.
Col. Henry G. Parker, Assistant Quai'termaster General.
Brig. Gen. Wilmon W. Blackmar, Judge Advocate Gen.
Col. Win. V. Hutchings, Aide-de-Camp.
Col. Arthur T. Lyman, Aide de-Camp.
Col. Wm. A. Tower, Aide-de-Camp.
Col. Wm. P. Alexander, Aide-de Camp.
Col. George H. Campbell, Military Secretary.
KXKCUTIVE COUNCIL :
Hon. George Whitney, Hon. J. A. Harwood,
Hon. Joseph K. Baker, Hou. Wm. C. Plunkett,
Hon. William Coggswell, Hon. Hugh Toland,
Hon. Harrison Tweed, Hon. Francis Childs.
Hon. Henry B. Pierce, Secretary of State.
Hon. Charles Endicott, Treasurer and Receiver General.
Hon. Julius L. Clark, Auditor of Accounts.
Sergeant-at-Arms, O F. Mitchell.
The Legislature of Massachusetts.
President of the Senate, Hon. J. B. D. Cogswell.
Clerk of the Senate, S. N. Gifford.
Speaker of the House, Hon. John D. Long.
Clerk of the House, George A. Marden.
Bennington Battle Day. 65
FIFTH DIVISION.
Col. L. K. Fuller, Marshal Commanding.
STAKF :
Maj. H. R. Chase, Chief of Staff.
Capt. S. H. Kelley, Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. R. B. Arms, G. C. Noble,
G. S. Dowley, J. G. Martin,
Rev. R. M. Luther, A. C. Mitchell,
A. R. Dunklee.
Boring's Band of Troy, N. Y.
Tibbetts' Corps, N. G. S. N. Y., Col. Joseph Egolf, Commanding.
Tibbetts' Cadets, 7th Co. N. G. S. N. Y., Capt. J. H. Patten,
Commanding.
Fuller Battery, N. G. ot Vt., Lieut. C. R. Briggs, Commanding.
The column moved on time through North street to Pleas-
ant, up Pleasant to Main, and under the Grand Arch to Dewey
street, and thence to the Centennial grounds, where the pro-
cession passed in review before the President of the United
States.
President Hayes then welcomed the procession with brief and appro-
priate words, congratulating the State of Vermont upon the felici-
tous beginning and progress of this centennial occasion, making
reference to the intei'est manifested in her one hundredth anniver-
sary of the founding of the state and the battle of Bennington,
by the visiting officials of her sister states, the military and the
thousands present.
President Hayes concluded by introducing his cabinet. Secre-
tary Evarts spoke briefly, and then introduced Mrs. Hayes, very
happily, as President Hayes' " Molly Stark." This episode caused
great enthusiasm and continued applause.
The procession was then conducted to the Oration Tent ;
the President and officers of the , day, the Orator, the Presi-
dent of the United States and his cabinet, the governors of
*Lineal descendants of those who fought in the Battle of Bennington.
5
66 Bennington Centennial.
states and other invited guests being escorted to the platform
by Chief Marshal A. B. Valentine. Prayer was thereupon
offered by Rev. John Wheelock Allen of North Woodstock,
Conn., a grandson of the fighting Parson Allen, as follows:
PRAYER.
Almighty God ! Our Heavenly Father ! We acknowledge Thee
as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords ! Thou dost exalt the hum-
ble and abase the proud. Thou dost lead Princes away spoiled and
otherthrow the mighty !
We thank Thee, that by Thy guiding hand our Fathers were led
across the sea, and that when they were weak and few in number,.
Thou didst deliver them from savage foes and plant them safely in
a desert land.
We thank Thee tor Thy blessing on their prayerful efforts to
establish in the wilderness, institutions devoted to civil libetry to
education and pure and undefined religion .
We thank Thee that, when these institutions were in peril, Thou
didst unite and inspire their hearts in the great struggle for national
independence, and raise up wise men for council and valiant men
for war.
We thank Thee, that when in the darkest hour of the strife
invading foes met our Fathers in conflict, Thou didst appear for
their defence. They cried unto Thee for help, and Thou, Oh
our God ! didst hear their prayer, and put to flight, the armies of
the aliens.
We thank Thee, that when our independence was achieved the
same Divine aid enabled our Fathers to establish a constitution and.
government, under which we have attained a high position among
the nations of the earth.
And we thank Thee, that when in later years our union as a
nation has been threatened, Thou didst appear in a signal manner
for our relief, and that in the triumphs of Freedom the ends of the
earth have seen the salvation of our God. In gratitude for all Thy
loving-kindnesses and tender mercies, we would take the cup of"
Thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord.
JSennington Battle Day. 67
And we praise Thee, to-day, our Heavenly Father, for the joyful
gathering of this vast multitude, who have come hither from all
parts of our broad land, and who have a common interest in this
occasion. May our hearts beat in sympathy as we commemorate
the soul stirring events of the past. And as we tread the soil where
one hundred years ago to-day the blood of our Fathers flowed in
the struggle for Liberty, may we be moved by their patriotism
catch their inspiration follow them in the march of duty, and so
prove ourselves worthy to be called their descendants.
And hear, our Heavenly Father ! we beseech Thee, our humble
supplications for this nation. Bless Thy servant, the President of
these United States, who through Thy goodness is with us to-day
in these rejoicings. May he rule in Thy fear and according to Thy
most righteous law.
May his Councilors be guided by Divine wisdom in their impor-
tant deliberations.
Rule in our National Congress, and may a spirit of true Patriot-
ism secure such legislation as shall give peace and prosperity to the
whole land.
May Thy blessing rest upon the Governors of this and other
states who are here present, and impart to them Thy favor as they
need. And may our Judges, and all who hold stations of trust and
influence in the land, be just men, fearing God and hating covet-
ousness.
Bless all the industries of the land.
Bless our schools and seminaries of Learning. And bless the
Church planted by Thine own hand. Purify it and prosper it to
the end whereunto Thou didst establish it.
Mete out to us, in all our necessities, Thy special blessings, and
may our heritage be secure and glorious. And crown with success,
we humbly beseech Thee, every laudable effort to make this occa-
sion one of lasting benefit. May the memory of the deeds and
virtues of our Fathers be written not only on marble, but be
engraven upon the tablet of the heart deeper than with a pen of
iron and the point of a diamond. Open Thou the lips of all who
may address us. May their words, fitly spoken, be like apples of
68 Bennington Centennial.
gold in pictures of silver. May we learn the price of Liberty and
be faithful stewards of the transmitted trust.
Hear us, in these our humble supplications. And may the God
of our Fathers, who is our God, be our childrens' God through all
generations. And with one heart and voice we will ascribe all
praise unto Him who giveth us victory and peace through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.
The audience, all standing, united in singing " America."
1. My Country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing :
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring !
2. My native country, thee
Land of the noble free
Thy name I love !
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills ;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
3. Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song!
Let mortal tongues awake ;
Let all that breathe partake ;
Let rocks their silence break.
The sound prolong.
4. Our fathers' God ! to thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light ;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.
Bennington Battle Day. 69
Hon. Edward J. Phelps, president of the day, introduced
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, governor of Yermont, who
said :
GOVERNOR FAIRBANKS' ADDRESS.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is well, and we are glad, that this memorable occasion should
be honored by the presence of citizens and the chief executive officers
of so many of our states, and especially by the presence of the presi-
dent of the United States and his cabinet. The heroic deeds of one
hundred years ago were not done to achieve the independence or lib-
erty of any one colony or state, but to achieve the liberties of America.
Fellow citizens of this great republic, and patriot soldiers, lovers
of human rights and liberty, in the name of the state of Vermont,
I bid you a hearty and most cordial welcome to these commemora-
tive services and hallowed associations. Well will it be if from
them we catch and carry away in some measure the same patriotic
devotion to universal freedom which inspired those valiant heroes
on yonder battlefield one hundred years ago.
Kev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D. D., president of Dartmouth
college, the orator of, the day, was then introduced, and delivered
the following oration :
PRESIDENT BARTLETT'S ORATION.
From the top of Mount Anthony the eye looks out on a pano-
rama of singular extent and beauty. Westward the Adirondacks,
dim with the distance of a hundred miles or more, the Helderbergs
and the Catskills ; southward Greylock, Saddle and Bald; the long
Green Mountain wall on the east ; and the Killington Peak sixty
miles away to the north, outline a vast amphitheatre of hill and
vale, of fertile fields and graceful forests, dotted with thrifty villages
and happy homes. The steam puffs up in sight from half a dozen
railway lines, and there are glimpses of the Hoosack and Walloom-
sac, bordered with manufactories. Nestled invisibly away are
churches and schools and banks and printing presses, here a mine
70 Bennington Centennial.
and there a college. As the day declines, silver streamlets come
glinting forth with reflected sunbeams from the broad expanse of
rich farming lands, a near fountain spreads its lofty spray upon the
air, and at length there settles down over the whole landscape, that
mellow and dreamy hue which makes it seem of some other world.
But this is no dream-land vision. These things all lie on the soil of
three sovereign states, and they are the substantial tokens of industiy,
cultnre, peace and prospeiity, the ripest fruits of republican liberty.
On a bright morning, one hundred years ago to-day, a German
officer, on an eminence five miles from here, looked forth admir-
ingly on a part of this same landscape, then " rife," he said, " with
pastoral beauty" "a wide sweep of stately forests interrupted at
remote intervals by green meadows and fertile cornfields, with here
and there a cottage, a shed or other primitive edifice," and Benning-
ton was " a cluster of poor cottages in a wild country." Around
him was a well appointed military band glittering with arms, some
of them in brass helmets, some in red coats, some in citizens' garb ;
and dusky forms in war-paint hung upon the outskirts. Two miles
this side of him, hidden from his sight, lay another band, ill-armed
and miscellaneously clad, largely in cloth of tow or linen dyed with
butternut or maple, and too deeply absorbed in their daybreak prep-
arations to spend one thought upon the glory of the earth or sky.
Between these two bodies of troops, and in good measure on that
day's struggle, hung pending the question whether the pastoral
beauty of that time should unfold into all the civic freedom and
blessing of this.
The natural theme of our thoughts therefore is, The Place of the
Battle of Bennington in the History of Our Country.
The early days of August, 1777, were a culminating time of
gloom and alarm. For more than a twelvemonth the tide of our
prospects had steadily ebbed until the shoals and reefs were plainly
in sight. In the opening of our great conflict, the first dash of our
arms had carried all before it. The British army and its favorite
generals, Gage, Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne, were penned up in
Boston with bitter memories of Lexington and Concord, then driven
forth to find a shelter in Halifax. Lord Dunmore was expelled
Bennington Battle Day. 71
irom Norfolk, and took refuge on his fleet. Ticonderoga, Crown
Point, St. Johns and Montreal had been taken in rapid succession,
and Quebec alone had escaped. From Canada to Virginia we had
made a clean sweep.
But a change came. Just before our Independence was declared,
the last of our troops were driven out of Canada, in the strong but
true language of the day, " disgraced, defeated, discontented, dispir-
ited, diseased, undisciplined." The day before that Declaration was
read to the army on Broadway, Howe landed on Staten Island the
first detachment of twenty-six thousand troops. Then followed the
disastrous battle of Long Island, the evacuation of New York, the
reverse of White Plains, the surrender of forts Lee and Washing-
ton, the chase of our army through the Jerseys, and the capture
of Charles Lee, the second in command and then the idol of the
army, just as he was writing to Gates a profane attack upon his
chief. And before our great General retreated grimly southward, con-
spired against by his leading officers, distrusted even by John Adams
for his " Fabian Policy," chafed by the internal jealousies of his army,
and baffled of every plan by the incessant changes of his troops,
there came, like some Job's message, tidings from the North, that
our fleet of fifteen sail on Lake Champlain was exterminated, Crown
Point burned and abandoned, and our Northern Army cooped up
in its last stronghold at Ticonderoga. Washington indeed kept
merry Christmas with the Hessians at Trenton, and paid his New
Year's compliments to the British at Princeton. These two flashes
alone flickered over the sombre scene.
The flush and ardor of transient conflicts had now given way to
the tug and strain of protracted war. And what a war ! Often
destitute of tents, blankets, medicines, good clothing and whole-
some food ; short of arms and ammunition ; without money or
credit ; I might almost say, long without an army. For by short
enlistments our troops continually melted away, sometimes in the
presence of the foe. And short enlistments were growing difficult ;
for in these sparse, new, and poor settlements, how could the men
fee spared from their homes ? The camp, too, was as fatal as the
72 Bennington Centennial.
battle field. It was invaded by camp fever and dysentery, and
steadily beleaguered by the small pox. At one time in '76, Schuy-
ler in three months had lost half of his ten thousand men by death
and desertion, and two-fifths of the remainder were on the sick-list.
Each northern state carried special burdens. Vermont waa
engaged in the long and gallant strife for state rights and indi-
vidual ownership of the soil. New York was overrun with loyal-
ists, of whom numbers had been sent to the New England states
for safe keeping, two hundred at one time in the jails and house*
of New Hampshire. The state of New Hampshire, so intensely
patriotic that only seven hundred and seventy-three out of her
whole population had, whether from conscientious or political scru-
ples, refused to sign the pledge to resist the foe " with arms, at the
risque of our lives and fortunes," was yet distracted with the mag-
nitude and multitude of her efforts. I may not weary you with
the long recital. Enough that when a state's militia enrollment
extends from the age of fifteen up to fifty, and her " alarm list " to
sixty five ; and when at length orders are given to draft one-half
even of that alarm list, we may be sure that the strain has reached
her vital forces.
The outlook, also, in these earlier months of the year was for-
bidding. A powerful fleet lay southward at the centre of motion,
ready to strike at any part of our vast coast line. The way wa&
well nigh clear for an early invasion from the North. Canadian sym-
pathies were lost. The Indian tribes, that six months before had
refused to mingle in this " quarrel," as they phrased it, " between
two brothers of one blood," were listening to the enemy. Franklin
was waiting in vain at the French Court for a recognition of our
country.
And now the plot was deepening. Burgoyne in London laid
before King George, in February, a plan to close the war. Howe
had sent across the ocean a still larger scheme, which " would strike
terror through the country" and "break down all resistance to hi&
majesty's troops." Both agreed in this, that one army should move
up the Hudson, another descend from the north and meet at Albany.
Bennington Battle Day. 73
They would thus cut the rebel serpent in twain, and separately
crush its New England head and its Southern body.*
The scheme was a good one. It might have adjourned our lib-
erties for fifty years. Who marred that plot? In England, King
George and Lord George Germain ; in America, John Burgoyne
and Charles Lee. The dull king had a way of meddling in detail
with all the business of his great empire. In the British Museum
you can read, in his own handwriting, his comments on the plan of
Burgoyne, restricting his forces, withholding all discretionary
power, and requiring him simply " to join Howe at Albany. "f But
that equally positive orders were not issued to Howe we may thank
Lord George Germain. The Minister called at his office. The
dispatch, all written, was not u fair-copied." So Germain hurried
off heedlessly to the country. The unsigned dispatch was pigeon-
holed, and was found again after the surrender at Saratoga. \
There have been worse commanders, and not many more polished
gentlemen of his style than John Burgoyne. " A raaa of wit,
fashion and honor," says Macaulay. He eloped with Lord Derby's
daughter, and was forgiven by the family. He wrote elaborate
letters, genteel comedies, and flaming proclamations. " The charm
of his manner," it was said, " neither man nor woman could resist.''
That was left for the Green Mountain Boys. He wore on his
finger a diamond ring given him by the king of Portugal for his
gallant dash at Valencia d' Alcantara, and Burgoyne s Light Horse
was the favored regiment that George the Third loved often to
review. He was a brave officer, a good colonel, and a moderate
general. It is useless to extol him greatly as a commander. He
did three things that are not done by great commanders. He
needlessly underrated his enemy, he lost his best opportunity, and,
in the last resort, he declined the responsibility which would have
*Lord Howe proposed to open the campaign of the Southern army, with
35,000 men in three army corps ; one to cover New Jersey ; one to act on the side
of Rhode Island with a view to reducing Boston ; the third to move up the North
River to Albany and there join the army of the North.
t Fonblanque's Political and Military Episodes, pp. 484 and 487.
Jib. p. 236.
74 Penning ton Centennial.
abandoned an expedition and saved an army. Give him credit for
a good plan. Another man should have executed the plan. Tbat
man was Sir Guy Carleton, his last year's commander, and the Gov-
ernor of Canada. He knew the country, understood the people,
and controlled the preparations. Cautious as well as peaceful, he
was all the more formidable because he was wise, conciliatory and
humane.
But in the high councils of heaven, and the small arithmetic of
King George, it was ordered otherwise. Burgoyne was followed
by the sanguine hopes of the British nation. Lord North looked
for the " speedy quelling of the rebellion." Trading Manchester
had subscribed for two regiments to conquer a market. The coun-
try gentlemen were loudly loyal. The opposition in the Commons
was well-nigh silenced. Bishops and clergy breathed out war ; the
staid pulpits of the Establishment rung with exhortations to smite
the rebels, and even the heart of the humane king became ossified
till he could say, " Every means of distressing America must meet
with my concurrence."
Burgoyne was in Montreal a full month before he applied for
means of transport, and the inadequacy of his supply at last was
a chief cause of his disaster. His body of troops, though smaller
than he asked, was a splendid army corps.* The German soldiers
had learned war when Frederick was at his best, and the British were
** veteran troops of England." A magnificent park of artillery,
and a body of picked cannoniers accompanied the march. The
officers, Phillips and Riedesel, Frazer and Hamilton, Kingston, Bal-
oarras and-Ackland were men of brilliant and various distinction.
For an army of its size, no finer body could have been set down
on this continent.
* Burgoyne had asked for 8,000 regular troops exclusive of artillery, 2,000 Cana-
dians to act as escorts and working parties, and 1,000 Indians, besides a large
number of provincials for transport duties. Ho reports his actual force at 7,351
regulars, 148 Canadian militia, and 503 Indians. This, however, is exclusive of
511 artillerymen, and the accession of lories from the states. But he was obliged
to leave nearly 1,000 men to garrison Ticonderoga, greatly to his regret. He thought
that Carleton should have furnished the garrison, and afterward complained that
it " drained the life-blood of his force."
JBennington Battl* Day. 75
The general knew, or ought to have known, his foe. He was in
Boston when the British army was, as he expressed it " unrecovered
from the consternation of Lexington." He had directed the firing
of the batteries against Bunker Hill, and had handsomely com-
mended the obstinate defense and the orderly retreat. He there-
fore only inposed on himself when he proclaimed to his army that
the enemy were " infinitely inferior to the king's troops in open
space and hardy combat." The event made it even ludicrous in
him to announce that they relied only on " entrenchments and rifle
pieces," and " it will be our glory and preservation to storm." And
it was a still graver folly to threaten that enemy with " devastation,
famine and every concomitant horror." For he only exasperated
when he sought to terrify. Had he had the " thousands " of Indi-
ans of whom he boasted, to do this work, instead of his paltry five
hundred, he spoke to men who had heard a louder war-whoop than
his. They turned his flaming proclamation into doggerel rhyme,
and called him " chrononhotonthologos."
Yet there were anxious hearts as he moved towards Lake Cham-
plain. Men called Ticonderoga the " key of North America."
Schuyler had written to New Hampshire that " the loss of it would
be dreadful, if not altogether fatal to the liberties of the country."
Washington said that the consequences would be " irreparable."
Meanwhile the public mind was feverish with excitement, and the
air thick with alarms. The enemy had entered Newport, headed
for Providence. They had landed at Fairfield. They had destroyed
Danbury. They were expected at Rye. Eighteen ships were seen
above Peekskill. Carleton's boats were said to be at Split Rock,
forty miles from Ticondei'Oga. A cry is raised in New Hampshire
and Connecticut of a " diabolical attempt' 1 by the enemy to spread
counterfeit money. Entrenching tools are found under a barn in
Hollis, and fire arms at Groton. Half the men of Stratford have
joined the regulars. "The tories," wrote Sullivan, "are every-
where lifting their heads." Secret combinations are discovered in
Hillsborough, in western Massachusetts and northern New Hamp-
shire. The New Hampshire Committee of Safety recommend to all
persons capable of bearing arms, constantly to carry them " to
76 Bennington Centennial.
public worship and all places where business leads them ; for we
know not the day nor the hour " of an attack on the borders, and
we must '* stop those infernal traitors among ourselves."
But where get the arms ? The same committee, two days later,,
informed their congressmen that a great number of their militia are
without firearms, and in the half-manned fortress of Ticonderoga
not one man in ten has a bayonet.
On the first of July a line of fifty gunboats and two frigates hove
in sight of Ticonderoga, stretching across the lake from east to
west. The garrison declared themselves ready fur a " bloody fray,"
and Parson Allen was willing to " leave this body of his a corpse
on the spot." On the morning of the fifth day they were amazed
to see a body of red-coats planting a battery on Mount Defiance,
commanding every corner of their fortress. That night came the
order to evacuate. It was received in the fortress literally with
curses and with teal's, and a cry of execration and lament swept
through the country. "Such a retreat," wrote one of the garrison,,
"was never heard of since the creation of the world." Men talked
of treachery. " We never shall hold a fort," said stout John Ad-
ams, " till we shoot a general." Burgoyne wrote home, " The
rebels have no men of military science." King George rushed into
the Queen's apartments shouting, " I have beat them, I have
beaten all the Americans," and he talked of the Red Ribbon of
Bath for his general. But they were all mistaken. The rebels had
men of science. Col. John Trumbull had proved on the spot the
year before, that this very thing could happen. Schuyler and St.
Clair were no traitors. They only blundered. It was a grave error
in Schuyler to accumulate such precious stores and priceless arms
for capture and destruction, in an ill planned and half-defended for-
tress. It was a most lame and impotent conclusion for St. Clair to
boawt, " It the enemy comes hither, he will go back faster than he
came," and within one week to steal away by night.
The news of the loss of Ticonderoga fell on this whole region
like the bursting of a waterspout. For miles along the lake and
up the Otter Creek, the settlers claimed British protection or fled
from their homes. The inhabitants of Albany ran about the streets
Bennington Battle Day. 77
in terror. Williamstown and Stockbridge were crowded with fugi-
tives. The New Hampshire towns along the Connecticut, from
Walpole to Haverill, were sending off messages of alarm. Beza
Woodward wrote from Hanover at midnight, " For God's sake,
come without delay."
But George had not beaten all the Americans, and Burgoyne did
not earn the Red Ribbon. There were then, on these New Hampshire
Grants, in the cautious words of Congress, " those called the Green
Mountain Boys," and they were not ready to resign their home-
steads after the struggle of a dozen years. And that song, though
unwritten then, was singing through their hearts :
" Here halt we our march and pitch our tent
On the rugged forest ground,
And light our fires with the branches rent
By winds from the birches round.
Wild storms have torn the ancient wood,
But a wilder is at hand,
With hail of iron and rain of blood,
To sweep and desolate the land."
Down in Berkshire, there was a company that often had been
disappointed of " a fight." Over in New Hampshire, there was a
gallant body of men, who had held their own at Bunker Hill till
the very last, had led the van at Trenton, fought at Princeton, were
bound for Stillwater and Saratoga and Monmouth and Yorktown.
There was a man whose name was Seth Warner, calm, clear-headed,
resolute, unflinching, every inch a soldier, and acquainted with
every loot of this ground. There was also a man whose name was
John Stark, a born and bred warrior, a man of genuine military
instinct and genius, who could find his place, and hold it too, ready,
when he knew he was right, to take all risks, whether it were the
anger of Schuyler, the censure of Congress, or the widowhood of
"Molly Stark." There was a noted tavern in this town, and when
there were gathered there Ira Allen, Thomas Chittenden, Jonas Fay
and their staunch comrades, there was one catamount on the sign-post
and twelve catamounts within. There was another Committee of
Safety at Exeter, and, while it contained such men as Meshech
78 Bennington Centennial.
Weare, Nicholas Gilman and Josiah Bartlett, the Republic was not
lost " We can repulse them," wrote Ira Allen, " if we have assist-
ance." In three days New Hampshire voted that assistance,
twenty-five companies of Stark's brigade. It was then, when there
was no money in the treasury and no light ahead, that up rose John
Langdon in his place, tendering his money, his merchandise, his
plate : " If we gain our independence, I shall be repaid ; if not,
what matters my property."
The legislature adjourned on Saturday. All that night and the
next day a horseman was riding from Exeter to Concord. Sunday
afternoon he dismounted at the church door, and walked up the
aisle. The minister stopped and said, " Captain Hutchins, are you
the bearer of a message ?" " Yes, Burgoyne is on his march to
Albany. Stark will command the New Hampshire men, and if we
all turn out, we can cot him off." " My hearers," said the Rev.
Timothy Walker, " you who are ready to go, better leave at once.'*
All the men left the house. But Phinehas Virgin had no shoes.
" You shall have a pair," said Samuel Thompson, the shoe-
maker, " before to-morrow morning." Next day those shoes were
marching.
While Warner was sending off his messengers on " fresh horses'*
to call in the militia and alarm the inhabitants of Vermont, and
Herrick was raising his Rangers, all New Hampshire was in a whirl ;.
officers hastening to Charlestown to halt the retreating troops ; sol-
diers just home retracing their steps ; new enlistments ; minute
men, even of the alarm list, summoned to be ready. I hold in my
hand a venerable paper, dated "East Kingston, August 4th, 1777,"
and reading thus : " We, the subscribers, do severally enlist our-
selves or ingage to stand in readiness at a minute's warning, equipt
according to law, with six days' provision, ready to march wherever
called for in the New England States, to which we promise obedi-
ence to our officers. We ingage to stand ready till the 24th day of
September next, Enoch Chase," and thirteen others.
Stark's name was a tower of strength in New Hampshire, and
his officers and men were, in great measure, select citizens, owners
of the soil, good men and true. The brigade chaplain, Hibbard
Bennington Battle Day. 79
was a graduate in the second class of Dartmouth College. A future
Governor and Chief Justice of the state, Jeremiah Smith, had his gun-
stock broken and his face grazed by a musket ball at Bennington.
The members of the several companies were neighbors, friends and
relatives. From the little town of Salisbury, New Hampshire, with
only one hundred and nine ratable polls, forty-two were in the con-
flict. Their captain was the father of Daniel Webster. Among
them were Edward Evans, the schoolmaster, deacon Benjamin
Huntoon, representative Matthew Pettengill, selectman Andrew
Pettengill, and others of the same quality. This one family of
Pettengill sent to the buttle three brothers and their sister's hus-
band ; they were the brothers and brother-in-law of my great
grandfather. One of them died of his wounds. So, in Vermont,
five sons of Jonas Fay were there one of them slain. Massachu-
setts sent lawyers, physicians, a judge and a fighting parson. It
was the best blood of these states that flowed here.
While this commotion was fermenting in the states, Burgoyne
was happy and easy. He was ordering a feu de joie in honor of
his victory, on the very day on which Schuyler was declining to
furnish a soldier or a musket to defend Vermont. Instead of push-
ing on by Lake George and the old road, he halted at Whitehall,
while his troops cut their way through a dense forest, made forty
bridges in sixteen miles, and two miles of log work over one
morass. It may have been, as he claimed, his best course. But
his need of supplies became early apparent, and about the tirst of
August troops were all designated for Baum's expedition. They did
not march until the twelfth. Those ten or twelve days' delay lost
his only chance of success.
For the other John never loitered. Five days after he was noti-
fied of his appointment, he appeared in Charlestown. In advance
of his instructions he was forwarding ti-oops to Vermont, watching
the enemy, and looking up his supplies. It would be amusing,
were it not distressing, to read of his difficulties ; " detained for
want of bullet moulds, as there is but one pair in town ;" vainly
endeavoring to get four cannon mounted ; finding a third of the
powder in store worthless ; in want of kettles and " spirits," and
80 Bennington Centennial.
even " sealing wax and paper." But he makes no apologies nor
complaints, utters no doubts nor fears. As fast as his men come in
by squads, he sends them along. Just as soon as the bullets were
run, Stark and his bullets went off at the enemy. He comes in
sight at Manchester, receiving orders to join Schuyler, and flatly
refusing to abandon Vermont. By two felicitous mistakes, one
when Congress superseded him, and one when New Hampshire
gave him an independent command, he was free to follow his own
sagacity. He chose the course for which Washington had hoped
the enemy would give opportunity, and he fulfilled his own proph-
ecy of the former year, that " a powerful army would come from
the north, which he with the Green Mountain Boys would cut off
wing by wing."*
When all this stir around the Connecticut had reached its height,
things were beginning to move on the Hudson, like the opening of
some tragic romance. The British general had bored his way dog-
gedly through forest and swamp and creek. He looked anxiously
down the river for some trace : of .Howe, but no tidings came. Ten
messengers had gone by different routes, but never one had gone
through. Even the despatch sent by him to Clinton in a silver
bullet from Stillwater, though swallowed by the bearer, was recov-
ered by an emetic, and the messenger hanged as a spy. One only
message from Howe ever found its way to Burgoyne, packed in a
quill, but it came too late and brought no hope. On the very day
(July 30th), when he was writing "I am in total ignorance of
the situation or intentions of General Howe," Washington was
writing thus : " Howe's in a manner abandoning Burgoyne is so
unaccountable a matter, that till I am fully assured of it, I cannot
help casting my eyes continually behind me," Why it was, remained
a standing puzzle in America and Great Britain.
But Charles Lee knew why. When Burgoyne sailed for Eng-
land, Lee was, by his own folly, a prisoner. Blustering and cow-
ardly, ill-man nered and profane, boastful, ambitious and disappointed,
on the 29th of March he laid before Howe an elaborate plan,
* Ira Allen's History of Vermont (Vt. Historical Collections, I, p. 386).
Bennington Battle Day. 81
whereby, he would "stake his life," the rebellion could be crushed
in two months. It was to be a grand movement on Pennsylrania
and the South, accompanied by a proclamation of amnesty. For-
tunately for the country it was followed but partially and tardily.
While the southern expedition was a failure, it abandoned the
northern to its fate.*
It would seem from Burgoyne's precautions and delay that he
shrunk from the expedition to Bennington. But he was nearly out
of provisions. He " knew that here was the great deposit of corn,
flour and cattle, guarded only by militia." Necessity knew no law.
So he chose " the best " of his German troops, and " the select light
corps of the British army," and sent them on their perilous ven-
ture. And with a strangely gratuitous folly, he added to the seiz-
ure of supplies, a long circuit by Rockingham and Brattleboro
round to Albany It is supposed, however, by some, that the written
orders were greatly modified by oral instructions.
Why repeat an oft told tale, of the message to Stark that the
Indians were at Cambridge, and to Baum that the rebels were at
Bennington ; of that*last letter of the Hessian to his general, " wrote
on the head of a barrel," promising to fall on the enemy early to-mor-
row ; of Gregg slowly falling back as Baum advanced, and breaking
down the bridge at Sancoick ; of Stark advancing to his support, and
and in vain offering (battle ; of Baum and his boldest men thor-
oughly startled at last by the coolness and confidence of their foe ;
of that fifteenth of August, stormy with " a hurricane of wind"
and " an absolute torrent of rain ;" of Baum's men toiling all day
long in the merciless storm at their entrenchments, as men toil for
their lives. There was little sleep that night in the British camp.
Through that pouring rain also came the Berkshire militia,
drenched to the'skin, but with their powder dry, and their hearts
* See " The Treason of Charles Lee," by Goerge H. Moore. Bancroft doubts that
Lee's letter had any effect on Howe. His reasons seem hardly conclusive. It is
certain that the letter was in Howe's hands before his plan of campaign appear*
to have been changed. And it is certain that Howe's failure to move northward
" confounded " the British ministers and defeated their plans. So testifies Horaca
Walpole repeatedly.
6
82 Bennington Centennial.
all hot. They had dropped the sickle for the musket. In their
procession rode Rev. Thomas Allen in his old sulky, now become a
chariot of war. Warner's troops and a hundred New Hampshire
men were hastening up under Emerson to complete the victory,,
while Warner himself was with Stark as his counsellor and right
hand man.
The morning of the sixteenth opened in absolute beauty. Not
a cloud. Not a stirring leaf. Raindrops glittered " like diamonds ""
in the trees. The river alone seemed alive, as it rolled along
" swollen and tumultuous." The German officer never forgot that
beautiful scene. For hours not an enemy had been seen nor a sound
of alarm had been heard. All was so peaceful that the leaders
grew confident, and breakfast was ordered, preparatory to action^
But it was the hush of the crouching catamount. Scarcely were
the haversacks unslung and the muskets piled, when the men were
called in all haste to their ranks. The same officer, Glich, looking
out from his zig-zag breastwork on the hill, to his amazement saw
the pickets retiring, the outposts withdrawing, and a strange body
of men emerging from the thicket behind. He watched in alarm
as they marched and countermarched conspicuously in sight. Two-
of their officers rode forth to reconnoitre ; and as the British can-
nonier fired his harmless shot he did not know that he aimed at
Warner and Stark. Suddenly Glich heard a trampling behind in
the forest on the right. It was Herrick and his Rangers in their
uniform of green. Then came a shout and a rattling fire in the
rear on the left. It was Nichols of Amherst, giving the signal to
begin. From before sunrise they have wound in single file through
the forest, and now with a green twig in every hat band, they come
forth. Scarcely had the sound of the first tire died out when the
Indians broke and fled. A column pushes forward on the tory
breastwork this side the river. It is Stickney and Hobart, and for a
badge every man has a corn husk in his hat. At the same signal
the main body moved up in front and the battle raged on every
side. The tories fled, and as they climbed the slippery steep behind
them, came rolling down beneath the shots of our marksmen. For
two hours, from three to five o'clock, the fire was one continuous
Bennington Battle Day. 83
roar. Those death-dealing columns closed in nearer and nearer.
At eight paces distance they picked off the cannoniers from their
guns. Still nearer they came until the flashes met. The ammuni-
tion cart exploded within the entrenchments, and at the sound our
men rushed up, scaled the breastworks, and leaped down within.
Then came a terrible clashing of sword and gun-stock and bayonet.
Gigantic John McNeil strikes down four Hessians with the butt of
his gun. In five minutes twenty men broke through to the forest.
The rest were all prisoners, or dead or dying. They fought gal-
lantly, and their leader died a soldier's death.
The work was done, and the soldiers dispersed for rest and for
the promised plunder. John Calef was hunting up his kettle and
saddle, Samuel Small his horse, and Parson Allen his surgeon's pan-
niers with the bottles. Stark rallied his men to secure the victory.
A hogshead of rum was ordered up. Before it could be served out,
word came that a British reinforcement was but two miles
away. The wearied troops left the rum untasted, and marched
to the new conflict. Through " bottomless roads," with ill-fed
horses and upsetting wagons, Breymann had crawled along, " scarce
half a mile an hour," but in season to meet his doom. From San-
coick Mill, the Tory colonel, Skene, hurried him up, but never a
hint did he give that Baum's fate was sealed. Half a mile this side
the mill, he saw, through the woods, armed men in jackets and
shirt sleeves, for the day was intolerably hot, climbing the hill-
side on his left. A call to them from Skene was answered by a
volley of musketry from the birches and the sumachs, and the sec-
ond battle began. A battallion of chasseurs moved up the height
and two camion poured grapeshot along the road. But the shot
struck the tree tops, and our men from behind the tree trunks fired
down into the full ranks with deadly aim. But at length wearied,
oppressed with heat, some of them chewing on their bullets for
thirst, outnumbered and outflanked, our troops were slowly falling
back, when a Major on a black horse rode up, shouting, " Fight
on, reinforcements close by." With the words a grape-shot struck
out two teeth from the black horse's mouth, but the rider
spurred on. Behind him up came Warner's fresh troops. They
84 Bennington Centennial.
opened right and left, and the tide of battle turned. The Tory,
Skene, sword in hand, still waved on the artillery. But Thomas
Mellen dropped his own musket, too hot to hold, seized a dead
Hessian's gun, and down came the Tory's horse. Skene cut the
traces of an artillery horse and disappeared. The fight was long
and obstinate. Many of the Germans on their knees called for
quarter. The main body was driven back and their cannon cap-
tured. The pursuit continued until eight o'clock, and darkness
alone saved the remnant of Breymann's force. Our troops slept
that night under the open sky, some of them with a corn-hill for a
pillow. In the morning they woke so stiff they could scarcely move.
The faces of Stark and of Captain Webster are said to have been
as black as Indians, after the battle. But those swarthy faces
beamed with honest joy and patriotic pride; and as the news
rolled away to Lincoln and Schuyler and Washington, to the Coun-
cils of Safety in New Hampshire arid Vermont, and to Congress in
session, it came like a flash of bright sunlight, after the gloom of
an Arctic winter. Stark thought he had paid the enemey "a proper
compliment for the affair at Hubbardton." Lincoln called it " a
capital blow." " A great stroke," said Washington, " A signal
exploit," said Massachusetts and Congress.
Yes it was greater, more signal, more capital, than any of them
then knew. The numbers engaged were not great, though larger
than they are commonly given. The whole iorce of Baum and
Breymann appears to have not been far from 1,500.* Of the Amer-
*The numbers on both sides in the battle of Beunington have undoubtedly been
placed too low. Burgoyne saw fit to report Bamn's whole force at "about 500
men." (Canada Appendix, p. xxii.) But he gives the German troops at 200
whereas.it is known from returns made to the Duke of Brunswick (H. B. Daw-
son's Historical Magazine, p. 294), that they amounted to 374. The British, Ame r -
ican and Tory prisoners taken amounted to 230, "without reckoning those who
were killed in the battle and many who escaped by flight." " There can be little
doubt," as Gov. Hall well remarks, " that the number of men brought into action
by Baum exceeded 700 besides 100 Indians." Breymann's reinforcement consisted
of 64-t men, according to the German returns. (Dawson, ib. p. 304.) This corres-
ponds with the public statements of the time.
Bennington Battle Day. 85
lean forces there are no complete records. We only know from the
rolls in the office of the Adjutant General of New Hampshire, that
Stark's brigade consisted of exactly 1,523 officers and privates, of
whom one company was probably at Charlestown, and others may
have been unfit for duty. The diary of Capt. Peter Kimball of
Boscawen, also informs us that the spoil was divided among 2,250
men. Of these not less than two thousand must have been present
at the battle. The numbers were small. But it was a great thing
for raw militia to meet the best trained soldiers of Europe, greater
yet to storm their entrenchments, greatest of all for men almost
" To take the stores and cattle,
That we had gathered then,
Burgoyne sent a detachment
Of fifteen hundred men."
Gen. Lincoln, writing from Bennington on the I8th of August, says : " The num-
ber the enemy had in the field cannot be ascertained, perhaps 1,500." This state-
ment, of course, rested on the best information that could be obtained on the spot
by the proper authorities.
Many diverse siatements have been made concerning the American forces. Col.
Carrington, in his " Battles of the Revolution," (A. D. 1876, p. 332,) gives them as
I do, at " nearly or quite two thousand." I am able to give the number of the
New Hampshire troops from official returns. In Hobart's regiment there were
five companies, as follows: Capt. Walker's company, officers, subalterns, and
privates, 60. Webber's, 53. Elliott's, 45. Post's, 52. Hendee's, 62. Total, 219.
In Stickney's regiment, ten companies, viz. : Webster's, 64. Dearborn's, 82. Tay-
lor's 72. McConnell's, 93. Sias's, 48. Bayley's, 55. Kimball's, 69. Clarke's, 54.
Oilman's, 45. Wilson's, 35. Total, 617. In Nichols' regiment, ten companies '
Runnels', 70. Wright's, 61. Ford's, 56. Goss', 82. Bradford's, 58. Stone's, 68.
Parker's, 71. Carleton's, 62. Mack's, 40. Wilson's, 33. Total, 601. Add to
these 20 staff officers, and the entire number of Stark's brigade was, by official
authorithy, 1,523. Of these one company was left by Stark at Charlestown to guard
the stores, and two companies sent to the heights of land between Charlestown and
Otter Creek. (See Stark's letter, August 2, 1777.) The company at Charlestown
unquestionably remained there, but the other two companies were called in before
the battle, as it appears from the statement of Thomas Mellon of Capt. Clark's
company, that he was sent first to Manchester, then with a hundred others under
Lieut. Col. Emerson, down the valley of the Otter Creek; and that having returned
to Manchester, they were ordered off for Bennington " late in the afternoon of
rainy Friday," arriving next day in time to join in the battle. Deducting the one
company left at Charlestown would leave not less than 1,400 of Stark's men at
Bennington. Stark himself says, " I rallied all my brigade." This statement is
86 Bennington Centennial.
destitute of bayonets to charge and destroy a body armed to the
teeth behind their breastworks and cannon. It was the most
remarkable affair of the war. Is there a more brilliant exploit
recorded in the annals ef warfare ?
It was a " signal ex ploit." It signified what the Yankee soldier
could do when he fou ght for his home. It signified what a Yankee
General could do, backed by a trusty and trusting band of his
neighbors and friends, and left to the guidance of his own military
genius. It signified a second time to the Bri tish, what Lexington
had told them before, that no enemy could move through New Eng-
land, except on his bier. It signified to the British General, what
he confessed nine weeks later, that his opinions of the rebel troops
were " delusive." It signified to the Indians that it was time to
corroborated by a letter ot Meshech Weare, chairman of the New Hampshire Com-
mittee of Safety, dated August 4th, which says : " I was informed to-day by a letter
from General Stark that he had sent off from Number 4 (Charlestown) 700 men to
join Col. Warner at Manchester, and that he should follow the next day with
5500 more, and Jhad ordered the remainder to follow him as fast as they came into
No. 4. His whole brigade will be together in a few days, and will consist of a t
least 1,500 men." These authorities would seem to settle the question.
The lack of records renders it more difficult to get at the facts concerning the
Vermont and Massachusetts troops. Rev. Joseph White of Williamstown, Mass.,
late secretary of the Board of Education, thought the number from Massachu-
setts to be not more than 150. They are generally given at 140. Professor Perry
f
of Williamstown thinks that the Massachusetts troops were as many as those o
Vermont. It is known, however, that some companies which started, did not
arrive in season. The Vermont troops were Herrick 's Rangers, some militia raised
by the state, of which there were, two companies from Ben nington and vicinity,
commanded by Capts. Robinson and Dewey, and a small body from the east of the
Green Mountains, under Capt. Williams, together with Warn er's regiment. War-
ner's regiment is stated by Silas Walbridge, who belonged to it, to have been
reduced to less than 150 at Hubbardton, and is given in the Vermont Historical
Magazine (quoted by Rev. I. Jennings) at 130. The roll of Robinson's company
of militia, and the only document extant, shows 76 men. If Dewey is supposed
to have as many men, it would be a liberal allowance. Williams' men there is no
account of, but he had written from Manchester to Gen. Stark on the 28ch of July,
saying: "The troops under my command are constantly returning home, and
without immediate help from you I shall be destitute of any." The number of
Herrick's rangers, so far as I can learn, is unknown. He was appointed colonel,
and instructed to raise the force, on the 15th of July, and the fund to support them
was voted on the 28th. Jonas Fay calls them (in the authentic text, Vt. His. Soc.
Bennington Battle Day. 87
^abandon the British service. It signified to the insurgent Tories
that they better depart or be still. It signified to the neighboring
states and to Congress that the New Hampshire Grants were cer-
tainly to become Vermont. And on the spirit of the nation the
army and the people the effect was magical. Well did criers pro-
claim it around the streets of Boston, and all the bells ring out the
victory .
It was a " capital exploit." It was the definite beginning of the
distant, but now certain end. Confessedly, it " at once paralyzed
Burgoyne's operations." It rallied in flocks the forces that stopped
him at Stillwater. Bennington meant Saratoga, too, where when
Burgoyne looked northward, John Stark lay in the rear. This
cluster of events determined the treaty with France, and thus
furnished openly the arms, ammunition and aid which before were
given only in secret. It astounded the ministry into "conciliatory "
Bills, too soon for King George and too late for America. It prob-
ably stimulated Spain into its war with Great Britain, encouraged
the disaffection of Ireland, fostered the British opposition at home,
and thus embarrassed the Government. It hastened hither the for-
eign military skill which did so much for our armies. It cooled off
the hope of Canadian and Tory help, and detached the last band
of Indian allies. " The very existence of the infant state of Ver-
mont," wrote Ira Allen long afterward, " their families and prop-
Col., p. 203,) a " company of rangers " in the same connection in which bespeaks
of " Slark's brigade and parts of Symond's regiment." If we reckon the Vermont
troops at five hundred and those of Massachusetts at perhaps two hundred and
fifty, it would give a total corresponding very closely with the statement in the
diary of Capt. Peter Kimball, Bo^cawen, that the plunder taken at Benuington
was divided between 2,250 men. Now Stark's 1,523 and Symond's 250, with 500
from Vermont, would make a total of 2,273 a close approximation. Fully coin-
cident with these numbers is Baum's statement on the 14th, that five prisoners
" agree that from 1,500 to 1,800 men were at bennington ;" and Glich's statement :
41 It was accurately ascertained that not fewer than 1,800 men were at Bennington."
This was before the arrival of the Berkshire men and Warner's regiment, and
apparently one hundred of Stark's men from Manchester. The suggestions made
concerning the troops from Vermont and Massachusetts, are made without posi-
tiveness. All statements, as I understand it, must be conjectural. The figures
concerning the New Hampshire men are from official returns, and are authentic.
88 Bennington Centennial.
erty, were all pending on the event." We might almost call it our
Thermopylae, only that our Leonidas and most of his troops sur-
vived to strike other blows for their country.
It is a singular token of the skill of our marksmen, and the
bewilderment of the foe, that while the British " left two hundred
and seven dead on the spot," and many others mortally wounded,
our loss was but thirty killed, and about forty wounded. Thirteen
tories, " buried in one hole," mos tly shot through the head as they
looked over the breastwork, told of the aim of the New Hampshire
sharp shooters, and the bayonet of William Clement, that never
was withdrawn from the skull of another, told of the hand-to-hand
conflict that closed the strife. But there was mourning on our
side. The chief havoc was in the regiment of Nichols, which gave
the signal and opened the fight on the hill. In each of four hon-
ored homes in Bennington there were orphans and a widow. Four
New Hampshire officers were killed, and two died of their wounds-
Ten of their townsmen, privates, were laid with them in the grave.
Chaplain Hibbard in his old age, remembered well that 4k burial
service " as the most mournful occasion of his life. New Hamp-
shire sent two of her foremost men, Josiah Bartlett and Stephen
Peabody, "to do everything in their power to assist the sick and
wounded." Let the names of those dead be carved here on a mon-
ument that shall be coeval with this state and this nation, and while
the grass grows on these mountain sides, and the granite rock lies
firm and solid over beyond the Connecticut, let the name of Seth
Warner be green in Vermont, and the name of John Stark lie
embedded in the heart of New Hampshire.
Friends and fellow citizens : The records of the past speak to us
in vain, unless they speak also for the future. Many a suggestive
thought clings to this historic spot. And first of all, the battle field
of Bennington is as commemorative of piety as of bravery. I should
be false to the truth of history, did I fail to recognize the strong reli-
gious spirit in which this victory had its preparation and achievement
The smoke of the battlefield mingled, as it rose, with the incense
of prayer. Each of the three states that shared the victory had
appointed in the first half of August its special Fast Day, in view of
Bennington Battle Day. 89
the approaching conflict. The Berkshire men fired no shot in the
battle till their pastor had prayed with them to the God of battles.
Col. Nichols is said to have knelt with his men in prayer before he
led them to the onset. McClary, on the previous Sabbath, was
exhorting his soldiers to remember the Lord's Day, and the bullet
from his fatal wound and the bible from his breast pocket were long
preserved together in his family. All day long, while the sound of
the cannon came pealing from the battlefield, in the churches of
Bennington and Williamstown the voice of prayer was ascending,
and it never ceased till tidings came of victory. John Stark for-
warded to New Hampshire the Hessian equipments as trophies of
" that glorious victory given them by the Divine being who over-
powers and rules all things." The men that achieved our deliver-
ance here feared God, and they feared nothing else.
" They came as brave men ever come,
To stand, to flght, to die ;
No thought of fear was in their heart,
No quailing in the eye ;
If the lip faltered, 'twas with prayer,
Amid those gathering bands,
For the sure rifle kept its poise
In strong, untrembling hands."
This consecrated spot speaks to us also a lesson of fraternity.
This region was once the New Hampshire Grants, and Benmng-
ton's charter transmits the name of Benning Wentworth, a New
Hampshire Governor. Nine-tenths of the early settlers of Ver-
mont came from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The troops of three commonwealths fought in noble rivalry and
with equal courage for the safety of these homes and for the com-
mon weal. Their dead sleep side by side. And as I look over the
roster of those regiments I read the Welsh name of Evans, the Nor-
wegian Peterson, the Scotch Webster and Bohonnon. The names
of McGregor, McClary, Gregg, Stark and their companions,
show that the Scotch-Irish furnished some of the best fighting
stock of America, while the great bulk of those troops were
of pure Anglo-Saxon blood. So was it on the broader scale
90 Bennington Centennial.
throughout the war. The name of Gen. Sullivan's ancestors
was O'Sullivan. Lafayette was already with Washington.
Koskiuzco the Pole was about to plan the entrenchments at
Saratoga, and his countryman Pulaski was now a volunteer and
a prospective martyr for American liberty. And though those
German troops that we fought on yonder heights, had been
sold like sheep in the shambles and fell here like sheep in the
slaughter, we may not forget that it was Germans and Dutchmen
who ten days before had defeated St. Leger at Oriskany, and that
Herkimer was dying of Lis wounds even while Stark was winning
this victory ; nor may we forget the faithful De Kalb already in our
ranks, and Steuben, who made our fighters into soldiers, and our
soldiers into au army, then died in poverty and slept in a long for-
gotten grave. And why need I mention the names of Duportail,
Gouvion, Radiere, Launoy, Fleury, and the Chevalier Armand?
"Out of twenty-nine major generals in our Revolutionary war,
eleven were Europeans." The toil and blood of many races pur-
chased our land of rest and privilege. To many races let it be a
home of privilege and blessing. Yea, they have come, Scandanivi-
ans and Welsh and Irish and Scotch and Hebrews and Italians. Six
millions of Germans are gathered voluntarily on the soil of our
country. Here let them flourish. Five millions of Africans, here
not by their own will, toiled and suffered, but not on the battlefield,
and their deliverance too, came in due time. A hundred and fifty
thousand Chinese are but the avant-couriers of millions to follow.
Let them too come on with their industry and economy. The free
friction of our free institutions shall wear off from them at length
the rust of ages, and stamp them with the superscription of this
great Republic. Does it not stand written in the Declaration made
by this new State, seven months before the battle, that " the inhab-
itants that may hereafter become resident, either by procreation or
by emigration within said territory, shall be entitled to the same
privileges and on the same conditions" as "the present inhabitants"
and as " of any of the free states of America !" We have but to
be true to those civil principles for which the Green Mountain
Boys fought, and to that God to whom Nichols and Allen and
Bennington Battle Day. 91
McClary prayed before they fought, and then shall these vast bodies
of diverse elements, enough to have changed the character of
half the empires of Christendom, be assimilated by the same wonder-
working power as heretofore ; and that Constitution which has
been foolishly called a " rope of sand," shall continue to be a
wall of adamant around us all.
But Bennington teaches, too, that the foreigner must come hither
to enjoy, and not to destroy, our institutions ; as a law-abiding citi-
zen, never as a lawless invader. He may not mistake the home of
freedom for a land of license ; nor think that when he has escaped
the terror of the gens d'armes abroad, he may inaugurate a Reign
of Terror here. The Communists who burned down the Tuileries
and the Hotel de Ville, cannot, under the name of Brotherhoods
and Unions be suffered to make bonfires of our railway stations and
our warehouses. Hostile bands will no more be permitted to plun-
der our trains of merchandise, than formerly to sieze the stores of
Bennington. And if Breymann, with the best troops of Europe,
might not obstruct this great highway with his cannon, still less
may the Flynns and Loshers and Zepps, with ruffian hands, arrest
the movements of our great steam thoroughfares, and paralyze
the whole business of the country. The strong arm of the nation
must teach them that if they will not work, neither shall they
forcibly arrest the honest work of other men. No mob, though it
be forty thousand strong, shall trample on the laws and rights of
forty millions. And one grand lesson that should signalize the
opening of this new century, is, that all hostile and violent demon-
strations upon peaceful citizens shall be as thoroughly and as sum-
marily quelled as they were on this spot one century ago. When
bands of men patrol our streets with threats in their mouths and
weapons and firebrands in their hands, it is war, and they are ene-
mies. It is no time for blank cartridges but for point-blank shot.
Next after the riot act and the warning to disperse, come the bay-
onet and the bullet, grapeshot and canister. At Pittsburgh, three
weeks ago last Saturday and Sunday, O for one hour of Warner's
regiment and Stark's brigade ! It would have cleared the way from
92 Bennington Centennial.
New York to San Francisco.* And here, on the borders of that
old battle-field, and in the freshness of these glorious memories, let
these noble bands of Green Mountain Boys, who have passed in
eview before us to-day, lift up their right hands to Heaven and
swear that the descendants of those whom the best, soldiery of
Britain and Germany could not expel from their farms and their
homes, shall never be driven from their lawful labors for an hour
by the floating scum of Europe or America.
But we are reminded here that some old enmities are dead or
dying. Six weeks ago I searched in vain on that Hessian hill for a
trace of those entrenchments which once blazed with hostile fires.
Long silent too has been
" The drum suspended by its tattered marge,
That rolled and rattled to the Hessian's charge."
Even so four years ago I stood in the old home of my ancestors in
England, whose occupants a century ago were probably in full sym-
pathy with the Government against whom my American progeni-
tors were contending with sword and musket ; but I was there a
welcome guest. And but just now in the palace where the
demented George was hardening his good-natured heart against
our country, the British Queen received to her home circle our
great Captain President, while the whole nation strove to do him
honor. Thank God that British hands no longer strike at Anglo-
Saxon lives ; that English blood no longer drips from fratricidal
wounds, but upon both sides of the wide Atlantic flows fresh and
strong in sympathetic hearts. We celebrate to-day the valor that
achieved our liberties, without a thought of bitterness towards
those from whom we inherited and from whom we wrested them,
'Very Britons from very Britons.
And let us also rejoice to-day that these Centennial commemora-
*It will be remembered that at this time occurred the series of riotous proceed-
ings along our Railways, beginning at Pittsburg, with immense destruction of
property and some lose of life, extending to Chicago and the Far West, and for a
time arresting travel and business over most of the great northern Railway lines.
Bennington Battle Day. 93
tions have come in to throw the vail over later and bloodier wounds,
that Concord and Bunker-Hill and Benningtou are super-imposed
upon Antietam and Gettysburgh and the Wilderness. It is well
that by-gones should at length be by-gones. I am one of those
who thought that for their slaughter of a million lives and their
assaults upon the Nation's life, a dozen chief criminals should have
hung between the heavens and the earth. But it was not so done.
Another policy pi-evailed. This mighty nation, of all the nations
of the earth, could pardon and yet live. The cup was full of bitter-
ness, but we drank it down, and now we may throw away the
dregs. For, southern Soldiers have strewn their flowers on the
graves of their northern conquerors, and the southern Governor of
South Carolina has pledged protection to the liberated slave. As
in 1777 the tide of battle turned, so in 1877 at length has turned
the tide of peace. This year, for the first time in our national his-
tory, the work of our earlier and our later great wars of this event-
ful century is accomplished. We dwell at last in "a real and
homogeneous union of free commonwealths into one harmonious
Republic, where no sovereign state is pinned to its fellows by fed-
eral bayonets," and no fugitive for liberty is remanded by federal
courts to his chains ; but American citizens are every where free to
govern themselves. We look hopefully down the broad opening
vista of peace, progress and prosperity. What tongue dares
foreshadow the tale which, if God will, shall be told here one
hundred years hence this day ?
Ultima, (jumaei ventt jam carminis cetas;
Magnus ab integro smclorum nascitur ordo.
All honor to the brave and honest Chief Magistrate who, after a
decade of fruitless experiment and smouldering strife, had the good
manhood to break away from all narrow and partisan restraints,
cast himself upon the sound sense and Christian sentiment of the
American people, and lead off this new order of the centuries.
And let the East and the West and the North and the South say,
Amen ! and Amen !
94 Bennington Centennial.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT'S ODE.
At the conclusion of the oration Professor J. W. Churchill
read the following Ode, prepared for the occasion by "William
Ciallen Bryant :
On this fair valley's grassy breast
The calm, sweet rays of summer rest,
And dove-like peace benignly broods
On its smooth lawns and solemn woods.
A century since, in flame and smoke,
The storm of battle o'er it broke,
And, ere the invader turned and fled,
These pleasant fields were strewn with dead.
STARK, quick to act and bold to dare,
And WARNER'S mountain band were there,
And ALLEN, who had flung the pen
Aside to lead the Berkshire men.
With fiery onset blow on blow
They rushed upon the embattled foe
And swept his squadrons from the vale,
Like leaves before the autumn gale.
Oh never may the purple stain
Of combat blot these fields again,
Nor this fair valley ever cease
To wear the placid smile of peace.
Yet here, beside that battle-field,
We plight the vow that, ere we yield
The rights for which our fathers bled,
Our blood shall steep the ground we tread.
And men will hold the memory dear
Of those who fought for freedom here,
And guard the heritage they won
While their green hill-sides feel the sun.
Bennington Battle Day. 95
After the reading of the Ode the following hymn, prepared
by Mrs. Marie Mason, was sung :
1. One hundred years ! a nation's joys
Resound along the prospered way
That Stark and his Green Mountain Boys
Made ours one hundred years to-day.
6. God bless the standard of the free!
God bless this peaceful, happy land.
Our fathers' God ! we lift to Thee
Our praise for gifts on every hand.
8. And for our country's honored head,
Our reverent lips ask this alone :
That Thou wilt guide his feet to tread
In foot-prints of our Washington.
11 . Our counselors with wisdom fill ;
Let parties die ; let factions cease ;
Let all men seek with single will
Our country's unity and peace,
12. Then not in vain the patriot blood
Was poured upon the crimsoned clay
Where side by side our fathers stood,
One hundred years ago to-day.
PRESIDENT HATES' REMARKS.
In response to repeated calls President Hayes spoke as
follows :
Ladies and Fellow Citizens :
I need not say to you that I am grateful for this greeting. I am
greatly obliged to those who had charge of this celebration for
their courtesy in giving me an opportunity to enjoy with them the
ceremonies of this day. I am quite sure none of us will ever forget
what we have here witnessed. That notable event, the battle of
Bennington, so great a step towards national independence I a.m
96 Bennington Centennial.
sure we feel it has been fitly celebrated to-day. Only think of the
procession that we beheld an hour or two ago citizen soldiers
disciplined soldiers from Vermont, from Connecticut, from Massa-
chusetts and New Hampshire. But more touching than all in the
long procession were the veterans of the Union army survivors of
the twelve hundi'ed battles that saved the nation and made liberty
throughout the world forever possible. And what eye was undim-
med as we saw proudly marching with his comrades that maimed
soldier walking with his crutch ? But, my friends, I must not
detain you. Among the pages of the speech to which we have
listened, packed full as each page was with interesting matter touch-
ing that great event of one hundred years ago, no one page in it
was more valuable than this which I hold in my hand, containing
the muster roll of a company of minute men who fought here in
the cause of independence. Is there not some merit s under existing
circumstances, in my also becoming a minute man ?
SECRETARY EVARTS.
Hon. William M. Evarts, Secretary of State of the United
States, being called for, made the following excuse for not
speaking :
Mr. President Ladies and Gentlemen ;
It is fair that I should warn you that, though I am very slow to
begin a speech, I am much slower to end it, and I know your only
safety is in my retiring before I commence.
POSTMASTER GENERAL KEY.
Hon. David M. Key, Postmaster General of the United
States, in response to calls, spoke as follow :
My friends :
This call is grateful to me. I do not accept it as a personal com-
pliment, but as an indication of fraternal feeling on the part of our
northern friends to their erring southern brethren.
Bennington Battle Day. 97
ATTORNEY GENERAL DE YENS' SPEECH.
Hon. Charles Devens. Attorney General of the United
States, was then called for, and responded as follows :
It is said to be one of the maxims of the Chinese philosopher,
Confucius (I have never read him), " Let your speech be short that
the remembrance thereof may be long." I will, therefore, follow
the example of the gentleman who has preceded me, and will detain
you but a few moments to tell a brief anecdote which has some
-connection with the celebration of to-day a story with a moral.
Perhaps I had better tell the moral first, for I know that in reading
vsop we used to skip the moral. It is simply this : That in the cause
of patriotism, however weak we may be, we may all do something.
And the story is this : Although loath to confess it in the presence
of so many ladies, it is something more than thirty years ago that
I, a young lawyer, was invited to deliver an oration on the Fourth
of July before my tellow citizens of the state ot Vermont at Brat-
tleboro. There were still left at that time a few of the survivors
of the Revolutionary army. Three or four were waiting in a room
of the hotel, where I was with them, my oration simmering inside
of me, and a good deal embarrassed, as I am now, a constitutional
bashfulness I shall never get over. There came in to these three
or four old gentlemen one somewhat younger than they, but still
considerably over seventy. " Gentlemen," he said, " I am not a
revolutionary soldier, but I should like to ride with the revolu-
tionary soldiers to-day. I would like to explain my claim to do so,
and then have you decide it." He was an easy, cheery, hearty old
man, and of course the others readily gave him permission. He
went on to say that when he was a boy, about nine years old, his
father kept a ferry somewhere on the Connecticut, at Putney or
Dummerston, I think, just above Brattleboro. " There came to
the ferry to cross one day," said he, " while my father was away
and I was at home alone, two men, one of whom seemed of supe-
rior rank to the other. They were soldiers evidently, though there
was little uniform among men in those days. They wished to
cross the river ; said they must cross. I replied that I was only a
boy and could not run the boat alone, and that even if they should
7
98 Bennington Centennial.
assist me over I could not get back. They said they would help
me to cross, and some of the neighbors would help me back. I
undertook it, and when we had crossed I said to the superior gen-
tleman, when my father comes home I wish to be able to tell him
who it was I carried across the ferry. ' Well,' said he, ' you may
tell him it was General Stark.' Six weeks after that I heard of the
battle of Bennington. And now," said he, " I claim to be the boy
who carried Gen. Stark across the Connecticut River on his way
to fight the battle of Bennington, and I should like to ride with the
revolutionary soldiers." Of course, the answer was that they all
thought him a good enough revolutionary soldier for them,
even if he was but nine years old at the time of the battle.
E. W. STOUGHTON.
Hon. E. W. Stoughton, (since United States Minister to Rus-
sia,) was called for, and wittily excused himself, as follows :
I am not, ladies and gentlemen, a member of the president's
cabinet, and it has been suggested that it is just as well for the
country that my advice has never been taken about anything.
Hon. George W. McCrary, Secretary of War, was next
called for, but he had left the tent, having been suddenly sum-
moned to Washington. General Banks and others were
expected to speak, and were called for, but the president of the
day stated that it was already past the hour for the dinner, and
they did not respond.
Bennington Battle Day. 99
THE DINNER.
At the conlusion of the exercises in the tent, the multitude,
preceded by the president and officer of the day, the orator,
the President of the United States and his cabinet, the several
governors and other invited guests Mrs. Hayes being escorted
by Gov. Yan Zandt of Rhode Island, and Mrs. Gqv. Fair-
banks by President Hayes proceeded to the banquet-hall, where
the guests sat down to a sumptuous repast spread by Dorling,
the Boston caterer. To use the language of a newspaper' corres-
pondent, this was an elegant affair, the tables being waited
upon by Green Mountain Girls. As one hundred years ago
the grandmothers of these ladies prepared food for the use of
the Green Mountain Boys, New Hampshire troops, and Berk-
shire county men while the Bennington battle was being fought,
so now in time of peace, on this centennial occasion, they volun-
teered to wait upon the distinguished guests of the state.
Divine blessing was invoked by the Rev. Dr. Bartlett, Pres-
ident of Dartmouth College.
After the dinner, Hon. Edward J. Phelps, presiding, pro-
posed
THE HEALTH OF THE PRESIDENT,
In these words :
Ladies and Gentlemen :
You will all, I arn sure, have anticipated the first sentiment,
which in giving direction to your festivities it is ray duty and my
great pleasure to offer you. We are honored to-day by the presence
of many very distinguished guests. Foremost among them all is the
100 JSennington Centennial.
chief magistrate of the United States. The dignified office he
occupies will always and everywhere be honored by Americans,
whoever may be its incumbent. But it is not the office alone that
we desire now to honor. I should do injustice to your feelings as
well as to my own, if I failed to say that it is not less the man who
so admirably fills it ; the man who has shown us that he means to
be president of the whole country, and not of a part ; the man who
has so addressed himself to the high and critical duties of that
great office, that he has not merely satisfied the promises of his
friends, but has disarmed the criticisms and hostility of his enemies.
I give you, therefore, ladies and gentlemen, as the first sentiment
appropriate to this occasion, and the nearest to your hearts, not
merely the health of the President of the United States, but the
health and long life of RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, President of the
United States.
The band played the national anthem.
THE PRESIDENT'S RESPONSE.
Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen :
I would be glad fitly to thank my friends of Vermont for the
kind way in which they have received me. But I am not in the
habit of making after dinner speeches. I hope therefore to be
excused, if without further words I now take my seat.
TOAST TO THE QUEEN.
President Phelps then said :
We are celebrating, to-day, the anniversary of a victory over the
troops of Great Britain. But we can rejoice in the fact that it is
more than sixty-five years that peace has reigned between us and
the mother country long may it continue. We are one race, and
are combined by the closest ties ; too close I trust ever again to be
severed. I am happy to state that a courteous and gratifying cor-
respondence has taken place in relation to this celebration between
governor Fairbanks and that excellent nobleman, Lord Duffe/tn,
Governor General of Canada, who was invited to be present on
this occasion. He writes to say that if it were not that h?s duties
Bennington Battle Day. 101
called him to the West, he would have been happy to have
been present, and would doubtless have responded appropriately in
his official capacity to the sentiment I am about to propose.
Mr. Phelps then read a letter from His Excellency Lord
Dufferin, excusing himself from attendance.
LORD DUFFERIN'S LETTER.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, )
OTTAWA, CAN., July 26, 1877. j
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your veiy
courteous communication of the 23d iust., containing an invitation
to me from the president and members of the Bennington Battle
Monument Association to be their guest at the centennial celebra-
tion of the independence of Vermont as a state, and the battle of
Bennington. But for my approaching visit to Manitoba, I should
be most happy to accept the hospitality of your Excellency and
the association of which you are the president. I trust that you
will be good enough, while expressing to the members of that
association my extreme regrets at being unable to avail myself of
their very kind invitation, to wish them at the same time every
success in their centennial celebration of the 15th and 16th of
August next. With regard to the suggestion that in the event of
my not being able to be present on the occasion above referred to,
some other persons might act as my representative, I shall have
much pleasure in consulting my Ministers on the subject, with the
view of complying with the wishes of the Bennington Battle Mon-
ument Association.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
DUFFERIN.
TOAST TO THE QUEEN.
Mr. Phelps continued :
We should not be mindful of the true proprieties of this occasion,
if we failed to remember with respect that illustrious lady, who
through so many years of blameless life, has been more than queen
102 Bennington Centennial.
of Great Britain. She has been queen in all the virtues, and queen
in the hearts of all her people. I give you then, ladies and gentle-
men, the health of her most gracious majesty, Victoria, queen of
Great Britain. God bless her.
The band then played the English national anthem, after
which Mr. Phelps called upon Hon. William M. Evarts, Sec-
retary of State, and said :
The profession to which I belong and in which he has achieved
so great distinction, has only lent him to the public service, and
will gladly welcome him back to the happier walks of professional
life, when he can be spared from his present distinguished duties.
And I doubt not when he returns to us he will be ready to say :
" Wherever I wander, there's no place like home."
SECRETARY EVARTS' RESPONSE.
Mr. President ;
I should know a little better that "there's no place like home,"
if I knew a little more exactly where my home is, but I am very
glad to be here with you to share in the honors of this great day.
Since I have been here I have looked out from the hospitable mansion
of our host, Mr. Tibbetts, upon the town of Sunderland, which was
my father's birthplace ; and I find that the family of Fay that contrib-
uted so much to that battle and shared so greatly in its glory is of
the same blood with mjself. If I could find myself as well treated,
and enjoy myself wherever I travel as I have in coming to Ben-
nington, I might well say, wherever I may be, that there is no
place like home.
And now, in regard to the majesty of England, the majesty of
that nation and of that gracious lady, the queen, is it not the best
token of the great and Christian character of the nation and of her-
self that on the celebration of a battle fatal to the power of her
ancestry, and so glorious for the prosperity of this country, that
we should receive such a letter from the governor general of Can-
ada, the representative of the British crown? It is fitting that we
should respond at our festival with royal homage, with the martial
Bennington Battle Day. 103
and loyal airs of England. Let us in looking back upon the mother
countiy, yield to her most gracious majesty the queen our homage
to her as a woman which we deny to a queen. I believe, Mr. Pres-
ident, that had queen Victoria been on the throne instead of George
the Third, or if we had postponed our rebellion until queen Victo-
ria reigned, it would not have been necessary, and if there had been
any rebellion at all, it would have been on the part of England.
Now this battle of Bennington was important as part of the great
campaign which secured American freedom and independence.
The great object the British had in view then was to divide the
north from the south, and if that had been done, the colonies would
not have been divided from England. And let us understand that
what the courage and the patriotism of northern men and southern
men would not permit to be done, could not be done by the cunning
of the British cabinet in the power of the British arms. The stress
of war with the mother country in 1812 and 1816 only bound more
closely the ties between north and south, and then the great nation
determined before this structure that its care was to meet the respon-
sibilities df a great and powerful people launched out on the second
century of its being. It should be tried and tested as the workman
does his work, to see whether that Union on which hostile foes could
make no impression, can be burst asunder by the energies of its
own people, no other people being able to do it. And let me say
to you, as the engineer and architect strains the structure to the
utmost pressure, in the enhanced energies of that conflict, the
strength of the American union is proof against all social, foreign
and civil strife. Let me also add that if neither political nor mili-
tary power can burst this union, neither can society. It is the
people that is absolutely free now, and absolutely equal now. It is
the people that knows its rights, and that will protect them from all
invasion of the hostile foe and jealousy of hatred, and the wrath of
this people, with its thunderbolts, shall strike in the name of the
whole people. Mr. Evarts closed his speech by referring to the fact
that had been brought to the notice of the American people by a
distinguished writer (Artemas Ward), who had declared himself
willing to sacrifice on the altar of his country all his wife's relations,
104: Bennington Centennial.
but John Stark went farther than that, and declared himself willing
to sacrifice his wife's husband.
INTRODUCING GOVERNOR PRESCOTT,
Mr. Phelps said : Many states have sent us noble representatives,
such as we shall never forget. But New Hampshire has come herself,
lust as she did a hundred years ago, with Gen. Stark at her head.
Without her we should have made a poor figure then, and a very much
diminished figure now. She feels, as she has a right to feel, that
this is her celebration as well as ours. And therefore have come
the concourse of her people : that fine military array and choice
music that have been displayed before us ; those eloquent orator's
who have addressed you ; and foremost of all, her governor and his
staff. And such a governor ! The opportunity of taking him by
the hand has added a new joy to the occasion. You will be loath,
I know, to separate without hearing a word from him, and I there-
fore propose the health of Gov. Prescott.
RESPONSE OF GOVERNOR PRESCOTT.
Mr. President and fellow Citizens of the United States :
I thank you for the complimentary manner in which you have
introduced me, and for the generous allusion you have made to
New Hampshire. After the masterly oration to which we have
just listened, by the eminent scholar and polished orator selected by
Vermont from my own state, in which he has so fully and so justly
recounted the heroic deeds of our citizens, it might seem appro-
priate for me to remain a silent listener to the words of these emi-
nent men, who have gathered here from every section of the country
to participate in the reconsecration of this battle ground. But
I cannot remain wholly silent, lest, so remaining, I appear false to
the trust committed to me by my fellow citizens, on an occasion
when the heroic acts of our fathers are being celebrated in speech,
and song, and military display. I rejoice that the chief magistrate
of the nation is here, with his cabinet, to witness the enthusiastic
loyalty of our people.
We have come, Mr. President, a long journey, to join with Ver-
mont and Massachusetts in this great demonstration, commemora-
Bennington Battle Day. 105
tive of one of the most decisive battles of the revolutionary war,
in which it fell to the lot of New Hampshire to bear a conspicuous
part. How well she bore herself one hunch'ed years ago to-day, on
yonder fields, has been eloquently set forth by your distinguished
orator. Vermont had her heroes on that memoi'able day. Massa-
chusetts, as usual, was at the front, to ward off and stay the pro-
gress of a common foe to the colonies, and then I do not say
now a foe to popular liberty everywhere. It was New Hamp-
shire's good fortune to be fully represented then, and I feel sure
the cause did not suffer at her hands.
It has never happened that the soil of New Hampshire has been
stained in battle by the blood of her own citizens or of her countrymen,
but it has been freely shed on other fields, to establish and maintain
this pi'ecious inheritance. Without invidious comparison, I will
venture the assertion, that no one of the colonies, in proportion to
its population and resources, furnished more or braver or truer men
in the i-evolutionary war than did New Hampshire. I cannot, I
will not attempt to recount all their deeds. At Bunker Hill, under
the same gallant leader, John Stark, who successfully led our citizen
soldiery on yonder fields, the New Hampshire forces outnumbered
by far all the other troops engaged ; and the same is true of the
fields we are now re-dedicating. They were present at Trenton, and
unflinchingly opened the fight ; they served with distinguished
valor at Princeton ; under the immediate command of Henry
Dearborn they were the first to lead off and engage the enemy at
Saratoga; they were present at the surrender of Bui'goyne ; they
were at Hubbardton, and Newport, and Monmouth ; they stood
together at Yorktown when their great work had been accomplished,
and the sceptre of George the Third faded from their soil, and
they were permitted, through their patriotic devotion and sacri-
fices, to see the great struggle culminate in the permanent estab-
lishment of a free and independent nation.
You delight to honor your Aliens, your Chittendens, your War-
ners, your Fays, and hosts of others, as you ought, whose names
we heard on yesterday, while we hold in perpetual remembrance
and honor our Stark, our Scammel, our Poor, our Sullivan, our
106 JBennington Centennial.
Cllley, our Dearborn, our Whipple, our McClary, our Reeds,
Meshech Weare, Matthew Thornton, Josiah Bartlett, all patriots,
and John Langdon, who pledged all he had to pay the expenses of
his friend Stark on this expedition. When a cause is supported by
such material, there can be no failure.
It is well to allude to the distant past, but I cannot forget the
near. In 1812 we had our McNiel and our Miller, and in 1848 our
soldiers did gallant service in Mexico. In the late war of the
rebellion, the New Hampshire troops, inheriting the valor of their
fathers, upon one hundred and fifty battle-fields fought to maintain
our union ; and from Bull Run to Appomatox Court House, they
were found on almost every sanguinary field.
New Hampshire is represented here to-day by our soldiers and
our citizens, who have come hither to join with you in this peaceful
commemoration of an event of great historic importance. Gath-
erings like this are of infinite value. They keep alive the memories
of the past, and inspire the people with renewed patriotism and a
stronger love for our common country.
This certainly is a beautiful scene, this vast concourse of people,
gathering on this spot so charming and picturesque, to swear anew,
over the dust of our patriot dead, their devotion to our beloved
country ; and, sir, so long as you hold this dust, New Hampshire
will, in the future as in the past, be ready with you to defend it,
that it may repose quietly under the protection of the same free
government that has guarded it so well for one hundred years.
Mr. President, I may be allowed one word further. Vermont,
through His Excellency the Governor, extended a cordial invitation
to New Hampshire to be present and participate in these festivities.
That she heartily accepted the invitation this vast concourse proves.
It only remains for me to thank you in her behalf, for your abound-
ing courtesies, and for your manifold kindnesses and attentions to
her numerous representatives here to-day.
INTRODUCING HON. E. W. STOUGHTON,
Mr. Phelps remarked :
We have heard a good deal of what Vermonters have done at
home, and much might with equal felicity be said of what Vermont
Bennington Battle Day. 107
has done for the world by those she has sent away from home.
Among the number of those who have returned to us this day
as visitors to their native soil, I see before me one who went away
as a boy so long ago that he would, perhaps, hardly wish me to refer
to dates, and who comes back a representative of the first profes-
sional and social rank in the city of New York, but with an undi-
minished love, I well know, for the state of his birth. I have great
pleasure in introducing Mr. E. W. Stoughton.
MR. STOUGHTON'S RESPONSE,
Nothing but that malicious disposition which induces lawyers to
put their professional brethren in an awkward predicament has led
my brother Phelps to call me out here. I see before me thousands
of men and hundreds of women. I never could talk well before
more than twelve men at any onetime, and I never could talk success-
fully to more than one woman at a time. The orator of the day spoke
about the Vermont men at Bennington leaving their rum untouched
and responding to the attack of the British. The fact was that the
New Hampshire troops had drank all there was. When Seth
Warner came up with one hundred sober Vermonters, he found the
New Hampshire Boys inspirited to be sure, but rather in a demoral-
ized condition. When the enemy saw these one hundred sober Ver-
monters, they took to flight, and so the victory won by New Hamp-
shire was made secure by Vermonters, Now I shall close the few
observations I intended to make by saying, that if the men who
fought that battle could have looked forward to this day and have seen
themselves enthroned in the affections of forty millions of people,
they would have felt that all the sacrifices, all the slain, all that
went to secure a victory that was dear to them upon that field, was
well repaid by this day.
INTRODUCING GOVERNOR FAIRBANKS,
Mr. Phelps said : Among all the governors who are our honored
guests upon this occasion, we must not forget our own. We have
weighed him as accurately as if upon his own scales, and he has not
been found wanting. And I ought to say here that the success of
108 Bennington Centennial.
this celebration has been in large measure owing to the untiring
efforts, the tact and the courtesy of Gov. Fairbanks. I have
pleasure in proposing his very good health.
GOVERNOR FAIRBANKS RESPONSE.
Governor Fairbanks, in a few brief words, extended a cor-
dial welcome to #11 the guests present in the name of the people
of Vermont. If the president would allow him, he would take
the liberty of calling upon ex-governor Stewart, speaker of the
Vermont legislature.
SENATOR EDMUNDS' REMARKS.
Gov. Stewart kept himself secluded and did not respond,
whereupon Senator Edmunds' name was called, and that gen-
tleman, rising in his seat said :
When the battle is in its utmost crisis, and the regulars have
run away, we have always called 'for volunt ecrs, and here I am.
My friend, Gov. Stewart, who has never failed in a real crisis, seems
to have dropped out now. To be the founder of a state is, perhaps,
the greatest glory that can fall to a man. There may be some-
where great heroes, there may be somewhere great priests and
apostles, but the greatest homage is due to those who have
founded free and independent states. And so to-day, after a
hundred years' existence, what better sentiment can we invoke
for an occasion like this than that of reverent homage to the
memories of those great men, some warriors, some statesmen,
some fanners, some shopmen, who founded this republic? It
is not one pursuit or calling that makes a state ; it is all those
heroes who fought and died, and have their monuments in the
perpetual memories of the people. When we look back on the
history of a hundred years, what better can we do for the next
century than to hope that the same principles that have kept this
union solid in its unity, and at the same time free and independent
in its separate state rights, shall continue to prosper forever more.
JBennington Battle Day. 109
INTRODUCING POSTMASTER GENERAL KEY.
In calling out Postmaster General Key, Mr. Phelps alluded
to the great pleasure we have all had in receiving, as one of
our guests, the distinguished gentleman from a southern
state, whose presence in the cabinet was an earnest that
the administration of the government was no longer sectional,
but national ; and expressed the hope that as this was the first
time he had penetrated so far towards the north pole, he might
carry home with him as favorable an opinion of us as we have
formed of him. He called upon Postmaster General Key.
POSTMASTER GENERAL KEY'S REMARKS.
If I had not partaken of such an excellent dinner, no doubt I
t;ould have made a better speech I confess I have felt very
grateful for the generous reception which I have received. That
same spirit of patriotism which one hundred years ago inspired
alike the men of the north and of the south, now extends alike to
all sections of our country, and I hope that when my friend, Sena-
tor Edmunds, and you, Mr. President, meet at the next great cen-
tennial, we shall find all over this broad country the same spirit
of amity that now exists.
INTRODUCING ATTORNEY GENERAL DEVENS,
Mr. Phelps said : No cabinet can be made up without an Attor-
ney General, whose principal duty is to speak. How well the
present incumbent can pei'form that duty, we had a chance to learn
this morning. I am sure I shall not be forgiven by the ladies, (and
not to be forgiven of them were " to be damned already,") if I
should fail to afford them as well as ourselves the pleasure of hear-
ing him again. I therefore beg leave to introduce Attorney General
Devens.
RESPONSE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL DEVENS.
I am very sorry that you are to have such a performance after
such a magnificent preface. It has been a great pleasure to join
with you upon this occasion of such deep interest an occasion of
great value, if we can carry away something of the patriotic spirit
110 Bennington Centennial.
that possessed the men who fought here. While every thing that
is said must always be inferior to brave deeds that are done, it is
not the less true that none could have listened, as we have listened
this morning, to the beautiful oration and description of the battle
of Bennington, without feeling lifted up to a higher plane, and to
nobler inspirations. As senator Edmunds has said, the highest
honors are for the founders ol states. But when such a state has
for a hundred years shown its capacity to preserve law and order ;
when it has given comfort and sustenance, liberty and la w, for that
period to a people among whom if few are rich none are poor, it
has shown that it has a right to be. All the states that once
claimed jurisdiction in Vermont are represented to-day. I am sure
New York and New Hampshire are ready to relinquish their claim ;
and Massachusetts, although her title to the whole of it was as
good as to any part, always had an extreme delicacy about claiming
more than two-thirds. But while we are ready to relinquish those
claims to-day, we shall never give up our share in the battle of
Bennington. We are here to maintain and assert that right.
Such is the power of association, that fair as the scene is about'
us, it is fairer for the brave deed that was done here. Beautiful as
the mountains are that lift their heads around us, they are the more
beautiful and noble because of the brave men who here gave their
lives for country. I am glad to observe that " old Greylock," the
monarch of the Berkshire hills, as well as the mountains of Ver-
mont, look down upon the place where the children of Massachu-
setts, and New Hampshire, and Vermont, rest together in their
glorious graves.
The battle that was fought here was an irregular one, yet it was
a piece of singular good fortune that among its leaders were two
men of the capacity of Stark and Warner. And I am gratified
that full justice has been done to the remarkable military capacity
of Gen. Stark. But the force they led was a force of brave men
hastily drawn together by the inspiration of their own patriotism.
Aside from that lesson of patriotism, it seems to rne, when we con-
sider the character of the fight, that there is another yet to be
drawn, and that is, that in a free government those who undertake
Bennington Battle Day. Ill
to carry on that government have to rely upon themselves. Every
country which has a ruling class must be wretched and oppressed
unless that class does its whole duty. And if, in this country, we
assume the people to be, as they are, the ruling class, they must
assert their rights and must attend to all their duties. They cannot
postpone or transfer them to anyone else. They must watch over
the government and interest themselves in it, and guard it in all its
functions and in all its departments. And from these men whom
we have commemorated we can carry away the great lesson that
by the simplicity of manly and dignified lives we may best check
that corruption which seems always able to fasten itself upon great
governments, and may stand together with heroic hearts in all that
makes for the peace and honor of the union, and the safety and
happiness of its people.
INTRODUCING SENATOR MORRELL,
Mr. Phelps said : We had hoped for the pleasure of the company
of the Secretary of the Treasury, but he was unfortunately prevented
from being present. He is probably engaged, like the king in the
nursery tale, " in his counting house, counting out his money," and
preparing, I hope, for the resumption of specie payments. As the
next best thing, however, I am happy to be able to give you the name
of a distinguished gentleman from our own state, who, if he is not
Secretary of the Treasury, is at least fit to be, as we shall all admit.
And to say something for himself in that capacity, I venture to
call upon senator Morrill.
RESPONSE OF SENATOR MORRILL.
It is true, Mr. President, that you notified me you were going to
call upon me for a brief speech, but I could not think you were in
earnest, as no one knows better than yourself that members of
congress never make brief speeches. Nevertheless I shall for once
try to be brief.
The crowd of visitors brought together here yesterday and to-day
offer sufficient proof that we have assembled to celebrate no ordi-
nary occasion, but to celebrate a great historical event of the
revolution, or the battle of Bennington, and also for the purpose of
112 Bennington Centennial.
commemorating another event, and that is the birth of a state, of
a free and independent state never a colony of king George, and
never under territorial tutelage. We sat in nobody's lap, although
the Yorkers showed a strong disposition to hug us, and, in looking
over this beautiful country, I can hardly blame them for their
affection. Very likely, if it had not been for Ethan Allen, who
thought the Green Mountain Boys altogether too big to be hugged,
we might have gotten into rather too close quarters for comfort.
It will be remembered that Vermont was the first state to be
admitted into the union, (after a little "reluctant amorous delay"
on the part of congress,) on a square footing with the original
thirteen, and I have seen on the cars yesterday aud to-day many
battle-scarred gentlemen who have reason to remember that in our
more recent conflicts we have shown a stout disposition to be the
last state to go out.
I have always pitied anybody so unfortunate as not to have been
born in Vermont, and especially those who are unable to claim any
share in the glory of the battle of Bennington. It was a battle
gallantly fought and won, and in its results it was big with the fate
of the nation. I trust that we shall always rally to every call, as
to the sound of a trumpet, which summons us to commemorate
that revolutionary event, so honorable to the ancient virtues of the
people of our state.
INTRODUCING MR. ALLEN.
Mr. Phelps, in a few fitting words, introduced Hon. Thomas
Allen as a prominent citizen of St. Louis, a native of old
Massachusetts, and a grandson of the celebrated " fighting
parson Allen " of the revolution, and particularly of the battle
of Bennington.
RESPONSE OF HON. THOMAS ALLEN.
Mr. President, Ladies and Fellow Countrymen :
A man cannot be held responsible for his ancestry, but, in regard
to his posterity, he is, to a certain extent, to be held answerable for
his own. I have heard it said that the British lost their colonies
by mismanagement, and the numerous battles they fought to
Bennington Battle Day. 113
conquer them, by bad generalship. I am quite confident that I am
indebted to the bad marksmanship of the Hessians and tories in the
battle of Bennington for the life I enjoy, and for the honor of
being called here to-day. It is my fortune, as announced by the
president, for better or worse, according to the family record, to be
a grandson of the Rev. Thomas Allen of Pittsfield, Massachusetts,
and to bear his name, and that was his name, and not " Parson,"
as one might infer from the signs and banners to-day in Benning-
ton. If I have been prospered, possibly it is attributable to the
fact that I have endeavored to honor the name I bear, and in some
ways to follow the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor.
And so yesterday, hand passibus equis, I came here, sir, from
Pittsfield, on the route my grandfather came to Bennington just one
hundred years ago that day, and in my own carriage as he came in
his. Possibly his horse may have been a Narragansett nag. Mine
came with me from that then almost unknown region, a thousand
miles away, but now the very heart of the country, known as Mis-
souri ! I inquired as I came along if that was the road that parson
Allen took to Bennington just one hundred years ago ? The
reply was " they guessed it was " they knew no other. Of course,
the inhabitants of a century ago had long since disappeared, and
but few of their desceudents remain in the old places. Doubtless
the country was at that time a wilderness, and this road infested
more or less with 'lurking tories and savages. Probably it was
simply blazed or notched. The gentleman (president Hayes) who
sits by your side, like all other western men, knows what a blazed
road is. But now, sir, behold how changed ! I saw the banks of
the Housatonic studded with factories ; I saw the farmers peacefully
at work gathering their crops ; I saw the cattle and the sheep upon
a thousand hills ; I heard the busy hum of industry in the valley
of the Hoosac, and the roar of that lion of modern progress, the
locomotive, I heard at Pittsfield, at Williamstown, at Pownal, and
even here on these beautiful slopes of Bennington. And, sir, as
elated with glorious traditions, the eye kindled and the heart
dilated, I breathed the pure air, admired the scenery and enjoyed
the general freedom, I could not but feel joyous and grateful that
8
114 Bennington Centennial.
these improvements and blessings were among the boons secured
to us by the heroic efforts of our grandfathers at Bennington.
And I could not but feel proud of the fact that if I can boast of
no other title to nobility, it is sufficient for me to be able truly to
say, " I am a descendent of one of the heroes of Bennington ! M
I have been asked, since I have been upon this ground, how it
happened that parson Allen came to take so notable a part in the
battle of Bennington that his grandchildren, along with those of
Stark and Warner, are invited to participate in this celebration ?
He was the first minister of the Congregational society of Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, and settled there as such in 1764, at the age of
twenty-one. The country was then new, and society in a formative
condition. He became a leader in all the affairs of the town, and
in politics as well as in religion. His heart and mind became
earnestly engaged in aiding that cause which sought to establish a
church without a bishop and a state without a king. He believed
in no mediator but Christ and in the management by the people of
their own church affairs. His politics were a natural outgrowth of
his religion. He became an ardent and active whig of the revolu-
tion. He was chairman of the committee of public safety. He
urged what he deemed just views of political rights, as well as
religious duties, in his addresses and writings, and extended his
efforts into neighboring towns, and even into the state of New
York. He corresponded with Gen. Schuyler at Albany, and with
Gen. Pomeroy at Cambridge. He did not hesitate to join the hue
and cry against the tories, and to rally the whigs. He has been
accused of taking his musket with him into the pulpit, but such
was the state of constant alarm at one time that the accompaniment
of arms was advised as a common necessity. His labors were inces-
sant, in preaching the Gospel and disseminating the seeds of liberty.
He had counseled with his cousin, Ethan Allen, who concocted at
Pittsfield the capture of Ticonderoga, which was done " in the
name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." He
was a chaplain at the battle of White Plains in the fall of 1776.
His brother, Solomon, was a lieutenant in the army, and had charge
of Maj. Andre in his removal and delivery to Washington at West
Bennington Battle Day. 115
Point. His brother, Jonathan, was a major in the army, and
derived his commission from the president of congress. His
'brother Moses, a chaplain to the army in the south, was taken pris-
oner by the British, and lost his life in attempting to escape from a
prison ship, and was deemed so great a rebel that the British refused
his body decent burial. His brother, Joseph, was a lieutenant, and
with him came to Benningtou. He had been a month at Ticonde-
roga, just previous to the battle of Bennington, and, while there,
made a stirring address to the soldiers, urging them to stand to the
post like men, and not surrender to the enemy, then in sight, "pre-
ferring," as he said, " rather than flee in disgrace, to leave his body
a corpse on the spot." This was the approach of Burgoyne, one
of whose batteries was no sooner planted on Mount Defiance than
the garrison of Ticonderoga, under Gen. St, Clair, moved off in the
darkness of the night, to be pursued as soon as discovered,
and to be overtaken and severely punished at Hubbardton.
*' How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war have
perished," exclaimed parson Allen, indignant at what he thought
at the time to be a cowardly evacuation. He had returned
to Pittsfield somewhat discouraged, but he had not rested long
when messengers from Stark came raising the alarm through Berk-
shire county that Burgoyne was marching on Bennington. With-
out any hesitation, he rallied his people in his " meeting house,'*
and made them a speech which impressed itself on the memory of
3, generation. " All of you who will go to meet the enemy, follow
me!" i nd away the parson went, in his parochial sulky, on what
he calls " his tour to Bennington," twenty-two going with him, and
seventeen following the next day, gathering volunteers as they
went. He arrived here in a drenching rain on the night of the
15th of August, and without delay reported to Gen. Stark. " Here
we are with our men from Berkshire. We have been frequently
called out, but have never been led against the enemy. We have
now resolved, if you will not let us fight, never to turn out again."
" You would not march now, in the dark and rain, would you ?"
replied Gen. Stark. " No, not just this minute," said the parson.
"Then," continued Gen. Stark, " if the Lord once more gives us
116 jBennington Centennial.
sunshine, and I do not give you a chance to fight, I will never ask
you to come again." These, then were the circumstances under
which parson Allen made his appearance hei'e. And when you
remember the chagrin and disappointment wkich the Berkshire
people had experienced, and their dissatisfaction with Gen. Schuy-
ler, commanding the northern department, you will perceive the
logic and justification of parson Allen's bold speech to Gen. Stark.
Who were these Berkshire men who gave Massachusetts the claim
I have heard asserted by only one man (Gen. Devens) here to-day
to share the glories of this battle ? Why, sir, the orator of the day
has limited them to one hundred and fifty. We think he is mis-
taken. Our traditions claim that there were two hundred and fifty
to three hundi-ed, including a few Stockbridge Indians, and they
came from Williamstown, Lanesboro, Hancock, Pittsfield, Rich-
mond, Stockbridge and other places, and were commanded by Col.
Simonds of Williamstown, and Lieut. Col. Rossiter of Richmond.
They were made a part of Gen. Stark's reserve, destined to face
the enemy's cannon, assail the tory breastworks and the pass at the
bridge in front.
The morning of the I6tb broke clear, and soon commenced the
bustle of preparation. When the adjutant was beginning to place
his squadrons in the field, parson Allen said to him : " We will do
our fighting in good time, but we will first join in prayer." And
then the Berkshire men, with Lieut. Col. Rossiter, gathered around
him, and such a prayer went up to the God of Armies to " teacb
their hands to war and their fingers to fight " as inspired the men
with true courage and strong faith that the Almighty was with
them. Then when the order came to advance, parson Allen,
moved by a sense of duty, went boldly to the front, and, rising
upon a fallen tree in full view of the enemy, demanded the sui-ren-
der of the tories. The reply was: "There's parson Allen; let's
pop him !" Hostile bullets whistled by him, or struck about him,
but did not hit him. Having thus relieved his conscience, he
jumped down from his eminence, and turning to his brother, Lieut.
Joseph Allen, who had followed him, said, " Now, Joe, give me a
musket ; you load and I'll fire." And thus reducing his preaching
JBennington Battle Day. 117
to practice, his gun went off at the enemy, and he was gratified to
find himself and hia followers no longer kept back by the restraint
of red tape and timidity. The glorious battle and its results are
well known, recited and sung, and we have come here to celebrate
the one hundredth return of that memorable day. The orator of
the day said : " The work was done, and the soldiers dispersed for
rest and the promised plunder ;" one for his kettle, one for his
horse, others for rum, and " parson Allen his surgeon's panniers
with the bottles." It is true, I believe, that Mr. Allen found the
panniers of a Hessian surgeon on the field, containing square glass
bottles, filled with wine. He took them, not as Mr. Stoughton says
the New Hampshire boys did, to drink the wine, but transforming
himself into the good Samaritan, to administer the cordial to the
weai'y and the wounded. And who were these Hessians, who
thus fought our grandfathers ? They were the hirelings which the
British government obtained of the hated Frederick II, Elector of
Hesse-Cassel in Germany. For the 15,000 to 20,000 hired for this
war, it is stated, on English authority, that the Elector was paid
3,000,000. A son of mine, and bearing the same name, visited
Wilhelmshohe last year, and while there reminded me that the
enormous sum paid by the British for the hire of the Hessians was
squandered with shameful extravagance in building up and adorning
those gardens and galleries which make that place the Versailles ot
Germany. These hirelings were so abominated by our people that
they were accused of all sorts of Dlood-thirstiness and barbarism,
and even a pest which destroyed the wheat was attributed to them,
and it bears to this day the name of the Hessian fly.
Here Mr. Allen was requested to suspend his remarks, and
Mr. Hayes, President of the United States, rising, said " he
was much interested, and regretted he could not stay to hear
the remainder, but the train was appointed to leave at six
o'clock," and so the President and his cabinet and party left
the tent and the grounds.
Mr. Allen, resuming, said that he was aware that it was getting
late, and proposed to finish his speech at the next centennial. Some
118 Bennington Centennial.
persons said : " No, go on, go on ; these are the facts we want,""
&c. Mr. A., continuing : My remarks are already too long, and I
will conclude with a few words more. I am reminded of an anec-
dote. My grandfather, being a clergyman, was once asked by a
son, my father, whether he had ever killed a man. His reply was :
" My son, I don't know. But I remember that near the close of
the day at Bennington, I observed a flash behind a bush at our left r
which seemed to take effect upon our men. I raised my musket
and fired at the bush, and I put out the flash." The inference
was that Hessian or tory was laid out on the other side. In a com-
munication subsequently made to an invitation to meet Gen. Stark,
he commended the patriotism of the ladies of Bennington, who-
zealously stripped their bedsteads of cords to enable our men to
tie their prisoners so that they should not escape.
Mr. President, the battle of Bennington cut the hamstring of the
British lion in the north. It so crippled him, and so encouraged
and rallied our grandfathers, that Burgoyne fell an easy prey
to superior numbers at Saratoga in the ensuing October. There
was a chain the enemy was forging and stretching by the Hudson
from Canada to New York that was thus forever broken and cast
away. And in this light the battle of Bennington appears second
in importance to none that was fought during the revolutionary
war. To the combined volunteer forces of New Hampshire, Ver-
mont, and Berkshire county of Massachusetts, we are indebted for
the glorious results of the 16th of August, 1777. Ever memorable
and honorable should we hold the men by whose heroic efforts the
victory was achieved. As these states were honored and their
cause saved by these, their brave sons, the event deserves to be
celebrated, and monumental granite should rise to mark the spot
and perpetuate its glories. As for the descendants of parson Allen,
inheriting his spirit of patriotism, some of them have been in every
war carried on under the flag of the United States since the revo-
lution. Some sixty of them to-day living in this land, but scattered
from Maine to Texas, take a lively interest in this day's celebration,
and will, no doubt, according to their ability, take equal pride and
pleasure in contributing to perpetuate the glorious memories of the
\
Bennington Battle Day. 119
battle of Bennington. In their name I beg to thank you for the
honor of being remembered, invited and recognized on this
occasion.
INTRODUCING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KNIGHT.
In introducing Lieut. Gov, Knight of Massachusetts, Mr.
Phelps expressed the very general regret that the governor of
the state of Massachusetts had been unable to attend. He
referred to Massachusetts as not only the greatest of the New
England states, but eminently entitled to a conspicuous place
in the celebration of an event in which her sons had so honored
a share ; and begged leave to introduce as her representative,
the Hon. Horatio G. Knight, Lieutenant Governor of Massa-
chusetts.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KNIGHT'S RESPONSE.
Mr. President :
I am very glad that most of what I might, could or would have
said on this occasion has already been better said by gentlemen
who have preceded me. Time will not permit me to say much, and
there is no occasion for my saying anything.
In a certain sense, Massachusetts men are performing here to-day
the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. The absence of our
excellent governor and the cause of his absence are deeply regretted
by us all. He has been looking forward to this day with lively
interest, and were he present he would doubtless enjoy and add to
the interest of the occasion. No one can regret more than myself
that he is not here to make a fitting response to your call. I say
fitting response, for such it would sui'ely be. The governor of
Massachusetts, like the governors of the other New England states,
to whom pleasant allusion has been made, and some ot whose
voices we have heard to-day, is one who does not merely occupy
the position, but completely fills and adorns the high office to which
he has been called.
It has often been said that there are no spots in New England
more rich in historical associations than Bunker Hill, Concord
120 Bennington Centennial.
Lexington and Bennington. While Massachusetts claims a share
in the victory that was won here one hundred years ago, it is true,
as has already been intimated that but few Massachusetts men
were engaged in the battle. More would have been present had
the battle been delayed a few days ; for you remember that while
fighting parson Allen was here praying for his men, that the God
of Battles would " teach their hands to war and their fingers to
fight," and the good people of Williamstown and Pittefield were
praying for the success of our arms, many others who had
started, or were about to come from Massachusetts to take
part in the conflict, were met and turned back by the good
news that the battle had been fought and the victory won, and that
Molly Stark was not made a widow. It was indeed a glorious
battle. The men of Berkshire may well be proud of the part taken
in it by their fathers ; it may well be commemorated by speech and
song, and all such demonstrations as we witness here to-day. Its
memory will doubtless be kept green in the hearts of the American
people so long as the republic endures.
Mr. Knight then spoke of the interest felt on the occasion by the
people of Massachusetts, as indicated by the presence of some of
her senators and representatives in congress, both branches of her
legislature, the executive council, the heads of departments, the
personal and military staff of the governor, and the first corps of
Independent Cadets, together with many of her private citizens,
all of whom had come in the same fraternal and patriotic spirit
that animated the men of Berkshire who came in 1777.
After alluding to the action of the Massachusetts legislature in
making an appropriation for the prospective Benuington monument,
he expressed thanks for the invitation to participate in the exercises
of the day, lor the cordial reception that had been given, and
the abounding hospitality that had been exercised by the men
and women of beautiful Beunington, and closed by expressing
the earnest hope that the patriotic associations of the day
might inspire all present with renewed thankfulness to our God
and the God of our fathers, who had so greatly blessed and pros-
pered us during the past century.
Bennington Battle Day. 121
INTRODUCING PRESIDENT BARTLETT,
Mr. Phelps said : We cannot forego the pleasure of a few parting
words from the gentleman who has given xis this morning so admira-
ble and eloquent an address, and who, therefore, needs no introduc-
tion to this audience. I propose the thanks of the assembly to
President Bartlett, for the great pleasure and instfuction we have
received from him.
RESPONSE OF PRESIDENT BARTLETT.
Mr. President :
After the long and kind attention which this great audience has
already given me, I will detain them only with a word of thanks
and of personal greeting. It is good to be here, upon Vermont's
chief historic ground, and on this her great gala day. It is a
pleasant thing to come from the State of New Hampshire to these
" New Hampshire Grants," and to the old town which commemo-
rates, in its name and charter, the Benning Weutworth who gave
to our Dartmouth College the original five hundred acres on which
it stands. And I am glad to represent here to-day that old college
which furnished the chaplain for the fight a hundred yeai's ago, and
to share personally in the blood that waxed hot and flowed on that
memorable day. The citizens of New Hampshire are here to con-
gratulate their brethren of Vermont. We rejoice with you in the
presence of these illustrious guests. We ai'e glad that our honored
President and his associates should look out on this fair scene, the
splendid prize of the victors. It is an odd blending of opposites
that they see, this sumptuous repast so near the site of the Cata-
mount tavern, this most democratic of commonwealths that never
elects a Democratic governor, this most warlike of states, in which
to-day the sole function of the police is to tell the stranger his way,
and perhaps oddest of all, the grave temperance joke of our distin-
guished friend from New York. For we chiefly rejoice that the
gallant men who fought and won that fight, had no mist on their
brains, no vagueness in their aim and their stroke, and that they left
no cloud on their name.
This closed the exercises of the banquet.
LETTERS FROM INVITED GUESTS.
LIEUT. GENERAL P. H. SHERIDAN.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, >
CHICAGO, JULY 31. )
To the Hon. Horace Fairbanks, President Bennington Battle
Monument Association and Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : I have just returned from a five weeks' trip in the
west, and among other letters awaiting my action, I find yours of
the 2d inst., including a copy of a resolution of the monument
association, and also your cordial invitation to be present on the
loth and 16th of August next at the centennial celebration of the
independence of Vermont and the battle of Bennington. I am
very sorry to be obliged to decline the invitation, but from present
appearance I shall be kept busy with my military division for some
months to come. No man living has a higher appreciation of the
patriotism of the sons of the sires of 1777 than I have, and no one
knows what the descendants of the Green Mountain Boys can do
upon hard fought fields better than I do, and I feel that it is emi-
nently fitting that we do everything in these centennial years to-
honor the memory of the fathers of the republic. Trusting that
your celebration will be worthy of its objects, I am, sir, with great
respect, your obedient servant,
P. H. SHERIDAN.
Lieut. Gen I. U. S. Army.
GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON OF VIRGINIA.
WHITE SULPHER SPRINGS, Aug. 6th, 1877.
Chas. M. Bliss, Sec., etc., etc. :
DEAR SIR : I have had the honor to receive the letter of July
21st, in which you invite me to " attend and participate in the cel-
ebration of the one hundredth year of the existence of Vermont as
a state, and the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington."
Bennington Battle Day. 123
It would gratify me inexpressibly to meet on two such occasions,,
the descendants of the earliest asserters, by battle, of American
liberty. But my personal obligations will not permit me to avail
myself of the privilege you confer, although I appreciate very
highly that privilege, and the feelings that prompted your associ-
ation to confer it.
Earnestly hoping that these two centennial celebrations may be
continued to the end of time, I am
Most respectfully and truty yours,
J. E. JOHNSTON.
P. S. The hope that the "obligations " might cease induced me
to delay this acknowledgment. J. E. J.
GOVERNOR HUBBARD OF CONNECTICUT.
HARTFORD, Conn., July 26, 1877.
To the Honorable Horace Fairbanks, President, &c. :
DEAR SIR : I am in receipt of your kind invitation to attend the
coming centennial celebration of the independence of your state
and of the battle of Bennington. I have delayed its acknowledg-
ment until now in hope that I might find myself able to accept
your courtesy, and convey in person to the association you repre-
sent the greeting of the sister state of Connecticut. I find,
however, at last, that I shall be obliged to deny myself this pleasure.
But although compelled to be absent, suffer me to present by a
single word a word of homage to the memory of the glorious
dead whose heroism you commemorate, and of salutation to your
gallant commonwealth the younger sister of the original thirteen,
born and cradled in the revolution. Denied admission in the con-
federacy, with an intrepidity which has scarcely a parallel in history
she erected herself into a sovereign state, and, separate and alone,
declared her independence, not only of Great Britain, but of a sister
state which did in violation of the tenth commandment, covet her
lands ; gave her blood and treasure without stint to the common
struggle for liberty, kept her constancy and her loyalty to the com-
mon cause, unseduced and unshaken to the end. Honor and glory
124 Bennington Centennial.
then to your noble state, the " Lone Star" of the revolution, and
to the heroic dead who sleep in her green bosom in blessings ! The
atate of Israel Putnam and Jonathan Trumbull, which furnished to
your forefathers their great soldier, Ethan Allen, and their first
governor, Thomas Chittenden, sends homage to the memory of the
Green Mountain Boys of the revolution, and centennial congratula-
tions and sisterly greetings to their sons and daughters.
With renewed acknowledgments for your courtesy, I have the
honor to be, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,
R. H. HUBBARD.
GOVERNOR HUBBARD OF TEXAS.
AUSTIN, May 24th, 1877.
To His Excellency Horace fairbanks, Governor of Vermont,
and President of the Bennington Monument Association :
DEAR SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your complimentary invitation to be present and participate with
your association in celebrating the one hundredth anniversaries of
the independence of Vermont, and of the battle of Bennington.
It would afford me great pleasure to accept your invitation, and
be with you to mingle my congratulations with those of the
descendants of the " Green Mountain Boys " of the revolution, but
my official engagements will doubtless prevent my attendance on
these suggestive anniversaries.
With sentiments of high esteem, I have the honor to be very
truly and respectfully yours,
R. B. HUBBARD.
GOVERNOR WILLIAMS OF INDIANA.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 22, 1877.
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
invitation conveyed by you to attend and participate in the centen-
nial celebration of the independence of Vermont as a state, and the
Bennington Battle Day. 125
centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington, at Bennington,
Vermont, on the 15th and 16th days of August next.
Please accept for yourself and the association over which you
preside my thanks and best wishes for the success of your cele-
bration.
It would afford me pleasure to be present on that occasion, but I
fear that my duties here will prevent.
Respectfully yours,
JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
GOVERNOR MATHEWS OF WEST VIRGINIA.
WHEELING, WEST VA., May 22, 1877.
1o Sis Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : I have just received your kind invitation to partici-
pate in the centennial celebration of the independence of Vermont
as a state, and the centennial celebration of the battle of Benning-
ton, on the 15th and 16th of August next.
It would give me great pleasure to be present on these interesting
occasions, and I hope to be able to attend, but can not now say
whether I shall be able to leave home at that time.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY M. MATHEWS.
GOVERNOR VANCE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
RALEIGH, K C., May 30, 1877.
2 o His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont and Pres-
ident of the Bennington Battle Monument Association :
DEAR SIR : I take pleasure in acknowledging the reception of
your very courteous invitation to attend the centennial celebration
of the independence of Vermont as a state, and the centennial
celebration of the battle of Bennington on the 15th and 16th of
August next, and to assure you of my high appreciation of the
invitation.
126 Bennington Centennial.
I would be most happy to accept, but the exigencies of my office
are such as to prevent so long an absence from my state.
With the assurance of my best wishes for the great success of the
celebration, and that a grand and happy time may be had,
I am yours very respectfully,
ZEBULON B. VANCE.
GOVERNOR COLQUITT OP GEORGIA.
ATLANTA, GA., June 16, 1877.
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : Your polite invitation to attend and participate in
the centennial celebration of the independence of Vermont as a
State, and the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington is
before me. I cannot so far in advance give you any degree of
assurance that I can avail myself of your kind invitation, but will
say now, that most heartily sympathising in the object of your con-
templated celebration, I shall take the greatest pleasure in uniting
with you on that occasion if my official duties will permit.
Most respectfully yours,
ALFRED H. COLQUITT.
GOVERNOR McCREARY OF KENTUCKY.
FRANKFORT, KY., May 26,1877.
Hon. Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont and President of
Bennington Battle Monument Association :
DEAR SIR : The kind invitation of your association to attend the
centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington and the inde-
pendence of the state of Vermont, tendered me through you as its
president, is at hand, and I can only regret that official engagements
will prevent me from attending.
Respectfully yours,
JAMES B. McCREARY.
Bennington Battle Day. 127
GOVERNOR STONE OF MISSISSIPPI.
JACKSON, Miss., May 25, 1877.
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
MY DEAR SIR : I have the honor to return you my most sincere
thanks for your courteous invitation to attend and participate in the
centennial celebration of the independence of Vermont as a state,
and the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington on the
15th and 16th of August next.
I assure you, my dear sir, that it would afford me great pleasure
to accept your invitation and be present and participate in the pro-
ceedings of your association, but my engagements are such as to
compel me to deny myself that pleasure.
I fully sympathize with the principles and purposes of the asso-
ciation and tender my best wishes for the success of your centennial
celebrations.
I am most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. STONE.
GOVERNOR MILLER OP ARKANSAS.
LITTLE ROCK, May 25, 1877.
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
courteous letter tendering to me the invitation ot your association
to attend and participate in the centennial celebi'ation of the inde-
pendence of Vermont as a state, and the centennial celebration of
the battle of Bennington.
I regret that the pressure of official duties renders it impossible
for me to have the pleasure of joining you in person. I am, how-
ever, permitted that of sincerely congratulating your commonwealth
upon the completion of its first century ot existence as a state, and
upon the recurrence of an anniversary so glorious as that of Ben-
nington. Peculiarly honorable, of course, to the State upon whose
soil it was fought, the recollections aad triumphs of such an event
are yet the property of the whole American people ; and I claim
128 Bennington Centennial.
for myself and the citizens of my own state our share of interest
in their commemoration.
With fraternal wishes I remain, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
W. B. MILLER.
GOVERNOR PORTER OF TENNESSEE.
NASHVILLE, TENN., July 31, 1877
To His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont :
DEAR SIR : I have postponed an answer to your invitation to
attend and participate in the centennial celebration of the inde-
pendence of Vermont as a state, and the centennial celebration of
the battle of Bennington, in the hope that I might gratify a wish I
have long had to visit the New England states, but I now find that
I shall be compelled to forego that pleasure for the present.
With thanks for your attention, I have the honor to be, very
respectfully yours,
JAMES D. PORTER.
SENATOR MATTHEWS OF OHIO.
CINCINNATI, August 6, 1877.
MY DEAR SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your note of July 21, inviting me in the name of the Bennington
battle monument association, and as its guest to attend and partici-
pate in the celebration on the 15th, at Bennington, of the one
hundredth year of the existence of Vermont as a state.
I regret very much to say that my engagements here make an
acceptance of your hospitality impracticable, otherwise it would
have been a privilege and a pleasure to accept it.
Yours truly,
STANLEY MATTHEWS.
C. M. BLISS, Secretary of the Association.
Bennington Battle Day. 129
SENATOR BAYARD OF DELAWARE.
WILMINGTON, DEL., August 1, 1877.
Charles M. Bliss, Secretary :
DEAR SIR : On my return home, yesterday, I received the invi-
tation of your association to attend and participate on the 15th
instant, in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of
Vermont's existence as a state in the Union, and on the day follow-
ing, the celebi'ation of the anniversary of the American victory at
Bennington.
A prolonged absence has caused an accumulation of my duties
here, which forbids my leaving home for some time, and therefore
I am compelled with many regrets to decline your kind invitation.
It is with sincere satisfaction that I witness these exhibitions of
respect for the worthy deeds of our forefathers, and the evident
disposition of our fellow countrymen everywhere to cherish the
memory of their patriotic ancestry, especially in times like the pres-
ent, when public and private virtue so need the reinvigorations ot
such examples. Vermont is rich in such associations, and in field
and council her sons have done good and honorable service, which
has redounded to the honor and welfare of the whole country.
In the glory of her past history, which you now commemorate, we
all, as Americans, claim a share, and in her present prosperity, I
am sure that we all must heartily and sincerely rejoice.
Truly and respectfully, your friend and fellow citizen,
T. F. BAYARD.
GEN. GARFIELD OF OHIO.
MENTON, O., August 7, 1877.
Charles M. JSliss, Esq. :
DEAR SIR : Yours of the 30th ult., inviting me to attend the
centennial celebration at Bennington on the 15th inst., came duly
at hand. I regret that my engagements do not make it possible
for me to accept. I delayed answering a day or two in hopes that
I might see my way to attend, as I am about to make a journey to
9
130 Bennington Centennial.
Quebec, and thought it possible I could take in Bennington on
my way, but it does not appeav possible to do so.
Very truly yours,
J. A. GARFIELD.
A GREETING FROM MICHIGAN.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., August, 1877.
The sons and daughters of Vermont in the Grand River valley
of the Peninsular state send greeting to the people of Vermont on
this centennial celebration of the battle of Benuington August 16th,
1877;
Although remote from our Green Mountain home, we have never
ceased to cherish and love the old state, among whose hills and
vales our childhood was spent. We have been upon her mountain
tops, sported by her crystal streams, and played upon her green
slopes. We retain a just pride in the virtue, intelligence and pat-
riotism of her people, and in her illustrious citizens whose names
adorn the annals of the republic. We do not forget that in the
darkest days of our colonial struggle for freedom and independence
the people of Vermont declared to the colonies and to the world,
"We are a state !" We treasure in grateful remembrance, and
with unfeigned joy, the heroic deeds of those patriotic sires who
fought and won upon the field of Bennington, and with you were
the names of Stark, Warner, Chittenden, Allen and their compat-
riots who sustained victoriously the heat and burden of a struggle,
the results of which have rolled down a century of time with stu-
pendous and increasing force in their molding and beneficent
influence upon the nations of the earth.
Accept our congratulations and most cordial greetings, and permit
us to join with you in commemorating the first centennial of the
battle of Bennington, our common heritage.
In behalf of the Vermont society of Michigan,
SOLOMON L. WHITNEY, ]
NAPOLEON J. SMITH,
GERSHOM N. BRIGHAM, } Committee.
JAMES H. MCKEY, |
HEALEY C. AKELEY, J
Bennington Battle Day. 131
REV. E. H. CHAPIN.
PIGEON COVE, MASS., July 26, 1877.
Mr. C. M. Bliss ;
DEAR SIR : Permit me, through you, to return my sincere thanks
to the association of which you are the secretary, for the invitation
with which they have honored me, and also to express my extreme
regret that the state of my health renders it very doubtful whether
I can be in Bennington at the celebration on the 16th of August,
and I am therefore compelled to decline.
Very truly yours,
E. H. CHAPIN.
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.
ASHFIELD, MASS., July 30, 1877.
C. M. Bliss, Esq. ;
DEAR SIR : I am sincerely obliged by your invitation on behalf
of the centennial association to attend the celebration at Benning-
ton on the 15th and 16th of August, and am sorry that I am unable
to accept it. But we shall all rejoice and celebrate with you
wherever we may be, and if any true American refuses, his wife
ought to sleep a widow that night.
Yours truly,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.
REV. LEONARD BACON.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS., August 1, 1877.
Charles M. JBliss, Secretary :
DEAR SIR : The invitation addressed to me at New Haven found
me here. My hearty thanks are due to the association for the honor
which they confer by inviting me to partake with them in the
double celebration of the fifteenth and sixteenth insts., but I find
132 Bennington Centennial.
that it will Dot be possible for me to be there ; and while I claim
no near relation to the Green Mountain Boys of a hundred years
ago, I remember that one of my ancestors and others of my father's
kindred found homes and graves in Vermont. As a citizen of Con-
necticut I am proud to read on the maps of your state so many
names of our old towns, like Windsor, Hartford and New Haven,
reminding us that what is now Vermont was once as a western
reserve, and was at a later date called New Connecticut. And as a
citizen of the United States I give thanks to God, not only for
what Vermont was and was doing a hundred years ago, but also for
all her hardy and heroic sons have contributed in peace and war
by tireless industry, by daring enterprise, by genius of artist and
poet, by philosophic scolarship, by wise and faithful statesmanship,
by the patriot blood that has consecrated many a field of battle,
and by self-sacrificing zeal in the service of the Prince of Peace, to
the stability, the wealth, the beneficences, and the renown of our
National Union.
Respectfully and truly yours,
LEONARD BACON.
JOHN O. WHITTIER.
DANVERS, MASS, August, 1877.
C. M. Bliss, E$<I. :
MY DEAR SIR : I regret deeply that I cannot be present at
the Vermont centennial celebration, to which thy letter invites me.
The state of my health will not permit, and the same reason pre-
vents me from attempting to embody in verse the spirit and feeling
of the great occasion. The record of Vermont throughout the
century of her existence has been one of which her sons have every
reason to be proud. Your sister states and the neighboring prov-
inces of the fair dominion which stretches along your border will
not fail to be represented at your gathering, and the congratulations
of the Canadas will mingle with those of Massachusetts and New
Hampshire . The cause of peace will be strengthened by such a
celebration. To me, as a life long opponent of human slavery,
Bennington Battle Day. 133
Vermont has been a subject of especial interest. Her soil has
never been polluted with slavery, and her sons were among the first
to oppose the encroachments of the detestable wrong elsewhere.
With my very best wishes for the complete success of your cele-
bration,
I am very truly yours,
JOHN G. WHITTIER.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
CONCORD, MASS., July 25, 1877.
DEAR SIR : I acknowledge the kind invitation which you have
sent me to join in the celebration of the 15th and 16th of August
at Bennington. If I were a few years younger I would probably
obey your request, but in my seventy-fifth year I can only thank
you and stay at home.
R. W. EMERSON.
To CHAS. M. BLISS, ESQ., SEC.
CHIEF JUSTICE PIERPOINT OF VERMONT.
VERGENNES, August 7, 1877.
G. M. Bliss, Esq. :
DEAR SIR : Your note of invitation in the name of the Benning-
ton battle monument association was received this morning. It
would give me great pleasure to be present and participate in the
celebrations at Bennington on the 15th and 16th insts. But since
my return from the session of the supreme court at St. Albans, last
week, I have not been well, and for a day or two was quite ill.
Years of experience have taught me to avoid as far as possible all
excitement and fatigue in hot weather, and especially during the
month of August. In view of my present condition and what I
may reasonably anticipate should I go to Bennington, I feel com-
pelled to decline the very kind invitation extended to me by your
association.
Yours most respectfully,
J. PIERPOINT.
134 JBennington Centennial.
BISHOP DE GOESBRIAND.
BURLINGTON, August 7th, 1877.
Secretary Charles^M. Bliss ;
SIR : I highly appreciate the honor conferred upon me by the
invitation of your association to be present as its guest at the great
celebrations at Bennington. I regret that previous engagements
will prevent me from participating in the said celebrations. I
return cordial thanks to your honorable association, and hope that
your labor will be crowned with full success. God grant that the
celebration of the forthcoming anniversaries may help to perpetu-
ate and increase the patriotism of the sons of Vermont.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
L. DE GOESBRIAND.
Bishop of Burlington, Vt.
Sunday Services. 135
SUNDAY SERVICES.
The services in the several churches of Bennington, Sunday,
August 12, had a more or less direct reference to the events
to be commemorated during the week, and it is therefore
deemed appropriate to here make a brief reference thereto, the
materials for the same having been obtained from the imper-
fect reports published in the newspapers of the day.
At the " banquet tent," on the centennial grounds, religious
services were held before the First Regiment of the National
Guard of Vermont then holding their annual encampment at
Bennington by Rev. Daniel C. Roberts, rector of St. Thomas
(Episcopal Church) of Brandon, assisted by Rev. George C.
Jones, rector of St. Peters Church, Bennington, and Rev.
William Walker of Herkimer, N. Y.; the sermon being deliv-
ered by the chaplain, from the words found in the twenty-first
verse of the eleventh chapter of Luke : " When a strong man
armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace."
At the First Church, services were conducted under the
direction of the pastor, Rev. Isaac Jennings. The history of
the church having recently been published, no historical ser-
mon was delivered, but the sons of two former pastors were
invited to preach. In the morning, after the usual preliminary
exercises, a sermon was delivered by Rev. Frederick G. Clark,
D. D., of New York City son of Rev. Daniel A. Clark, pas-
tor from 1826 to 1830 from John i : 29 : " Behold the Lamb
of God which taketh away the sins of the world ;" and in the
evening, by Rev. Edward T. Hooker of Castleton son of
136 Bennington Centennial.
Rev. Edward W. Hooker, D. D., pastor from 1832 to 1844
from the third verse Jof Jude : " Beloved, when I gave all dili-
gence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was need-
ful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints."
The Baptist services were held at Free Library Hall, where
the pastor, Rev. R. M. Luther, after prayer by Rev. Mr. Hil-
liard, preached a historical sermon, taking for his text the
words of the ninety-first and ninety-second psalms.
At the Methodist church, in the morning, a centennial dis-
course was preached by Rev. H. L. Grant, the pastor, from
Psalms xxxiii : 12 : " Blessed is the nation whose God is the
Lord ; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own
inheritance."
At St. Peters (Episcopal) church, the services were conducted
by the rector, Rev. George G. Jones, assisted by Rev. William
Walker of Herkimer, N. T., the sermon being by Rev. Daniel
C. Roberts of Brandon, from the 12th, 13th and 14th verses of
the 14:7th Psalm : " Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem ; praise thy
God, O Zion. For He hath strengthened the bars of thy
gates ; He hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh
peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of wheat."
SERVICE OF PRAISE AT THE FIRST CHURCH.
A union service of praise was held at the old First Church,
Bennington Center, at four o'clock in the afternoon, the house
being filled with a large and interested audience. The interior
of the church edifice was tastefully decorated. The pulpit was
covered by the national flag. In front of the gallery, which
extends around three sides, were flags representing all nations,
while festooned streamers were pendent from the ceiling to the
gallery ; and about equi-distant between the pillars supporting
Sunday Services. 137
the gallery, were hanging baskets of potted plants. The com-
munion table was covered with boquets of flowers tastefully
arranged.
The services opened with the reading of a portion of the
forty-fourth Psalm, verses one to eight, as follows :
" We have heard with our ears, God, our fathers have told us,
what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
" How Thou didst drive out the heathen with Thy hand, and
plantedst them ; how Thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
" For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,
neither did their own ai-m save them : but Thy right hand, and
Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou hadst
a favour unto them.
" Thou art king, O God : command deliverances for Jacob.
" Through Thee will we push down our enemies : through Thy
name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
" For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
" But Thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them
to shame that hated us.
" In God we boast all the day long, and praise Thy name for-
ever. Selah."
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Daniel C. Roberts (Episco-
pal) of Brandon, Chaplain of the First Regiment National
Guard of Vermont, followed by an
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY REV. ISAAC JENNINGS,
pastor of the church. After a few well chosen words of intro-
duction, he said, substantially :
I welcome you, my Christian friends, in the name of the First
church, and invite you all to join with us in this service of praise.
It would be very appropriate to indulge in remembrances on this
occasion, but our brief time will not permit, and the history of this
church is very well known to most if not all of us. We wish you
to bring the memories of all your churches with you, and sing the
158 Bennington Centennial.
songs of praise that God offers blessings to us all. Nor would we
confine the spirit of these services to the churches in Bennington.
"We would remember that this is a common centennial, and all the
churches are repi'esented in this service. I invite you to pour out
your voices and hearts. Let even those who are not accustomed to
sing join with us now ; we certainly can sing if we have the right
spirit in us.
The following hymns, were sung during the exercises, the
choirs of all the churches in town being present by invitation,
and participating in this part of the service :
America.
1,120, S. H. B. 1. My county, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty, cfcc.
Italian Hymn.
1,111, 8. H. B. 1. God bless our native land !
Firm may she ever stand,
Through storm and night ;
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of winds and wave,
Do Thou our country save
By Thy great might.
2. For her our prayers shall rise
To God, above the skies ;
On Him we wait :
Thou who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry,
God save the State !
REMARKS OF REV. MR. PATRIDGE.
Rev. L. C. Patridge, pastor of the Congregational church at
North Bennington, was then introduced, and spoke substan-
tially as follows :
This is a solemn place to me, because I feel that we stand where
the members of this church stood one hundred years ago, with hearts
trembling with hope and with fear, determined to do the best they
Sunday Services. 139
could, trusting in the Almighty God to drive back the strong
invader and rescue their country from oppression's fearful power.
But my heart is glad to-day, because a hundred years has proved
that God heard their prayer, and gave them wisdom, firmness and
power to meet their foe and hurl him back to his own death. I
thank God that the cheek of virtue need not tingle, nor the heart
of truth tremble with shame at the remembrance of our fathers'
deeds. We thank God that the clearest shining of a hundred years
has not revealed a single principle for which our fathers died of
which we are ashamed to-day. We must be a power for good in
the homes and institutions of this country for the future as our
fathers have been in the past. Vermont was the first child of the
new republic, and her parents have been proud to call her daughter.
Her influence has been felt as an inspiration in all departments of
government, and in all other nations of the world. We thank God
that we still have faith in the virtue and integrity of our state. She
will not shrink from danger. We thank God that we stand in this
holy temple, and with uncovered heads and open hearts pledge our-
selves by God's grace to fulfill the expectations of the nations of
the world, and of our waiting ancestors on the other side of the
river, in all future history.
Then followed the hymns :
Jfear.
859, 8. H. B. 1. Let saints below in concert sing
With those to glory gone :
For all the servants of our King,
In earth and heaven, are one.
2. One family we dwell in Him
One church above, beneath,
Though now divided by the stream
The narrow stream of death.
3. One army of the living God,
To His command we bow ;
Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
140 Bennington Centennial.
4. Ev'n now, by faith, we join our bands
With those that went before,
And greet the ransomed blessed bands
Upon th' eternal shore.
Dundee.
1,116, 8. H. B. 1. O Lord, our fathers oft have told,
In our attentive ears,
Thy wonders in their days performed,
And elder times than theirs.
2. For, not their courage, nor their sword
To them salvation gave ;
Nor strength that from unequal force
Their fainting troops could save.
8. But Thy right hand and powerful arm,
Whose succor they implored ;
Thy presence with Thy chosen race,
Who Thy great name adored.
4. As Thee, their God, our fathers owned,
Thou art our sovereign King :
Oh, therefore, as Thou did'st to them,
To us deliverance bring !
5. To thee the triumph we ascribe,
From whom the conquest came ;
In God we will rejoice all day,
And ever bless thy name.
REMARKS OF REV. MR. GRANT.
The next speaker was the Rev. H. L. Grant, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, Bennington, who spoke substan-
tially as follows :
It is regarded as a fact, for which I do not pretend to vouch,
that when one of the mightiest battles of this country was fought,
there was a sound that indicated that a truce was to be had ; and
the roar of artillery and rattle of musketry were hushed, and when
lifted the cloud of the smoke of battle, the fair and peaceful sun
shone down upon the contending forces as they met at the brook
Sunday Services. 14:1
to slake their thirst while terms of capitulation were being made
at headquarters. There, stretching their hands across the brook,
they greeted each other and shouted for joy when tidings of peace
reached their ears. This is a day of truce, when the business man
lays aside his business anxieties and cares ; when the partisan finds,
as he looks into his heart, that party passion is hushed ; when the
sectarian, as he views the past, remembers that there is but one
God ; and the masses of the people of these New England states
are coming hither, or their representatives, and under one flag,
under the inspiration of one prayer, pledge anew their allegiance
to their God and their country. Glory to God on high, and peace
on earth, good will to men ; and our hearts open with joy as we
look into the mysterious future, and behold a republic founded on
the principles of that golden rule that Jesus enunciated on the
mount.
Then followed the hymn :
Martin.
1. Praise to God, immortal praise,
For the love that crowns our days ;
Bounteous source of every joy,
Let thy praise our tongues employ :
All to thee, our God, we owe,
Source whence all our blessings flow.
2. All the blessings of the field,
All the stores the gardens yield,
Flocks that whiten all the plain,
Yellow sheaves of ripen'd grain ;
Lord, for these our souls shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.
3. Clouds that drop their fatt'ning dews,
Suns that genial warmth diffuse,
All the plenty summer pours
Autumn's rich o'erflowing stores ;
Lord, for these our souls shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.
14:2 JBennington Centennial.
4. Peace prosperity, and health,
Private bliss and public wealth,
Knowledge,with its gladd'ning streams,
Pure religion's holier beams,
Lord, for these our souls shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.
REMARKS OF REV. MR. ARMSTRONG
The next speaker was Rev. C. B. Armstrong, pastor of the
Methodist church, Hindillsville, who said :
It seems very appropriate that we should come together this
afternoon to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to that God who
has thus far brought us on our way. During the past God has been
with us, and it is right and proper that we should acknowledge that
wise providence that has so guarded and kept us. The blessings
that we have received are national, political, social and domestic ;
and above all we should thank Him for spiritual blessings, The
history of this nation depends largely upon the blessings under
God which the blessed gospel of Christ has secured to us. The
church has a history as well as the nation, and an experience. The
last century has given the church an experience that will benefit it
in the future. Throughout all the history of the church there have
been times when we have been enabled to see the hand of God.
During the darkest days it has been enabled to look to God, who
will bring all things to pass for the good of His children.
The following hymn was then rendered ;
Hamburgh.
1. Salvation doth to God belong,
His power and grace shall be our song ;
From Him alone all mercies flow,
His arm alone subdues the foe.
2. Then praise this God, who bows His ear
Propitious u> His people's prayer ;
And though deliv'rance He may stay,
Yet answers still in His own day.
Sunday Services. 143
3. O may this goodness lead our land,
Still sav'd by Thine Almighty hand,
The tribute of its love to bring
To Thee, our Saviour and our King ;
4. Till every public temple raise
A song of triumph to Thy praise ;
And every peaceful, private home,
To Thee a temple shall become,
REMARKS OF REV. MR. HENRY.
Rev. Foster Henry, pastor of the Baptist church, North
Bennington, then spoke substantially as follows :
The mutual relation of the church and the state is a thought
which has impressed my mind a good deal since I came into this
house ; and it seems to me that if I was called to describe the influ-
ence of the church upon this community and upon the state of
Vermont, and also the state itself upon the church, and could bal-
ance these two and show the conservative influence of each upon
the other, I should be able to realize a fact that would be valuable
on this occasion. I will say here that I am amazed in this presence,
and in view of the history of this community. I am amazed at
the spirit which the fathers had who settled this town members
of churches and citizens who stood high as such in all the relations
of life that they were so united in conserving society here, and in
handing it down to posterity. This is amazing to me when I think
of the character of the first settlers of this community. The
speaker said that he felt proud of Vermont, and closed by saying,
it is necessary that the church should be conservative in its influ-
ences. Let us then in the future, as members of Christian churches,
ever be ready to come to the re'scue of the lost by our efforts.
He was followed by the singing of hymn 1,114, S. H. B. :
Nurtmburg.
1. Swell the anthem, raise the song ;
Praises to our God belong ;
Saints and angels ! join to sing
Praises to the heavenly King.
144 Bennington Centennial.
2. Blessings from His liberal hand
Flow around this happy laud :
Kept by Him, no foes annoy ;
Peace and freedom we enjoy.
3. Here beneath a virtuous sway,
May we cheerfully obey ;
Never feel oppression's rod,
Ever own and worship God.
4. Hark ! the voice of nature sings
Praises to the King of kings ;
Let us join the choral song,
And the grateful notes prolong.
REMARKS OP REV. MR. READ.
Rev. E. G. Read, pastor of the 2d Congregational church,
Bennington, spoke briefly. He said that he had learned one
thing during the afternoon, and that was that the people of
Bennington could sing. He was glad to find it out, and hoped
that this congregational style of singing would be kept up in
the future. He referred briefly to that praise meeting which
Paul and Silas held long ago in the Roman prison, and urged
his hearers to rise up body and soul and enter into this glori-
ous service of praise.
Then followed hymn 523, S. H. B. :
Lenox.
1. Blow ye the trumpet, blow,
The gladly solemn sound !
Let all the nations know,
To earth's remotest bound :
The year of jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
2. Jesus, our great High Priest,
Hath full atonement made :
Ye weary spirits, rest,
Ye mournful souls be glad :
The year of jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Sunday Services.
8. Exalt the Lamb of God,
The sin-atoning lamb;
Redemption in His blood
To all the world proclaim :
The year of jubilee is come,
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
4. The gospel trumpet hear,
The news of heavenly grace ;
And, saved from earth appear
Before your Saviour's face ;
The year of jubilee is come ;
Keturn, ye ransomed sinners, home.
The singing was followed by an address from the Rev. Geo.
G. Jones, rector of St. Peters (Episcopal) church, Bennington.
He said that we stood under the shadow of a great event. He
would ask the Supreme Ruler to accept this tribute of praise.
"We would not forget the heroes of these great days, but would*
ever cherish their memories, and preserve the undimmed lustre
of their names, and be thankful that while they nobly fought,
they are now at rest with God.
" Coronation " was then sung by the choir :
1. All hail, the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall :
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all !
2. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God,
Who from His altar call ;
Extol the stem of Jesse's rod,
And crown Him Lord of all !
8. Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all !
10
146 Bennington Centennial.
4. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng,
We at His feet may fall !
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all !
REMARKS OF REV. MR. LUTHER.
Ths last speaker was Rev. R. M. Luther, pastor of the Bap-
tist church, Bennington, who was very brief in his remarks.
He said that he had but a single thought to add to those which
had been suggested by the previous speakers, and that thought
was, that a nation's greatest danger was not from foreign foes.
If the heart of the nation be corrupt ; if the very soul of its
life has been eaten out by evil and corruption and crime, we
may look in vain for the hero in the hour of the nation's peril.
The cure for all perils of national life is to be found in the
ever blessed gospel of Christ.
Then were sung five stanzas from Mrs. Mason's " Centennial
Hymn," closing with the Doxology, as follows :
Old Hundredth.
\. One hundred years ! a nation's joys,
Resound along the prospered way,
That Stark and his Green Mountain Boys.
Made ours one hundred years to-day.
6. God bless the standard of the free !
God bless the peaceful, happy land,
Our fathers' God ! we lift to Thee
Our praise for gifts on every hand.
8. And for our country's honored head,
Our reverent lips ask this alone :
That Thou wilt guide his feet to tread
In footprints of our Washington.
Sunday Services. 147
11. Our counselors with wisdom fill ;
Let parties die ; let factions cease ;
Let all men seek with single will .
Our country's unity and peace.
12. Then not in vain the patriot blood
Was poured upon the crimsoned clay,
Where side by side our fathers stood,
One hundred years ago to-day.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow !
Praise Him, all creatures here below !
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host !
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !
The exercises were closed by the Benediction, pronounced
byjhe Rev. Isaac Jennings, pastor of the church.
148 Bennington Centennial.
ADDRESS
DELIVERED BEFORE THE VERMONT EDITORS? AND PUBLISH-
ERS' ASSOCIATION, AT BENNINGTON, AUGUST 14, 1877, BY
ELIAKIM P. WALTON OF MONTPELIER
Light ! more light ! is the constant ciy from the cradle to the
grave ; light for all things in earth and heaven ; light for the eyes,
the mind, the soul. Doubtless God can create a world of darkness,
and people it with eyeless creatures, as down in the depths
of the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, where no ray of sun-
light has ever pierced, He has created eyeless fish ; but the
record is, that in the divine design for man, light was the
first element that was necessary, even for omnipotent power, in
working out that design. " And God said, Let there be light : and
there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good : and
God divided the light from the darkness." This was the first act
in that divine drama which will not be completed until there shall be
" a new heaven and a new earth, where there shall be no night,"
and the dwellers there shall " need no candle, neither light of the
sun, for the Lord God giveth them light." Light, therefore, was
the beginning, and is destined to be the end, of God's work for
man. Without light the earth would have had no heat ; no vege-
tation for the support of man or beast ; no beauty of sky and land-
scape, of form and flower ; no beauty that man should desire it
but utter desolation. Most fitly, therefore, " outer darkness " was
Christ's synonym for hell. Since, then, God Himself gave to light
the first place and the highest dignity in the order of his own
work, and is at last to make it His greatest glory for God Him-
self is the light and glory of heaven it is not presumptuous to
say that the light-givers of the earth are entitled to stand in the
Mr. Walton's Address. 149
first rank among all orders of men, and to be honored by all, pre-
cisely to the degree in which they honor themselves in the noble
professions into which they have been called.
And who are the light-givers ? Of old they were mainly the
prophets, priests, apostles historians, oratoi'S, philosophers, poets
Christ being the greatest of teachers, the highest of priests, " the
light of the world. " In our day they are the teachers of all true
knowledge, the preachers of all truths, and, I boldly add, the
hei'alds of good tidings to all men the editors, publishers, and
printers whose duty it is to gather up all that is good from all
light-givers, and send it, as the sun sends its rays, into every corner
of the earth, refreshing and gilding all it touches, and gladdening
all who behold it. We have been wont, after the best authors,
rulers and statesmen, to give the highest honors to the learned
professions the teachers, the preachers, the lawers, and the physi-
cians : but pray tell me what profession needs so much learning as
that of the editor ? His field is the world ; nay, it embraces both
worlds ; it covers priest-craft and king-craft all the professions
all arts all sciences all literature in short, all knowledge,
human and divine all phases of practical life, all fancies of the
ideal, and all promises of the eternal. The editor should be a walk-
ing dictionary and encyclopaedia combined : his head should con-
tain all the libraries within his reach; his judgment should be
perfect, his heart pure, his character spotless, and his hand apt in
penning the loftiest thoughts to instruct, and the lightest trifles to
amuse. Many editors have reached nearly up to this ideal ; many
more have approached it ; and I am glad to believe that the general
tendency is in the right direction. Journalism has come to be rec-
ognized, in some of the colleges, as a high profession, and within
the last quarter of a century, the colleges of Vermont have sent
out men who have adorned it. Raymond and Spaulding were
giants among the editors of New York city, and both were gradu-
ates of the University of Vermont ; and to the credit of the practi.
cal printers, who have had no advantages of high school or college,
I have only to name Horace Greeley.
150 Bennington Centennial.
This brings me to the practical printers, from the highest to the
lowest, as light-givers from the foreman down through the com-
positors, and pressmen and women, to the smutty little " devil " of
the printing-office. They are all light-givers, and pre-eminently so.
The statesman, the preacher, the jurist, the author, the editor and
the publisher are capable of being great lights in the world, but
only through the practical printer. Christ addressed barely a few
thousands of people, while by the practical printer He has spoken
to millions upon millions, and will speak to them until all shall have
had the glad news of salvation. "Without the printers, the orator,
the statesman, the jurist, no matter how great, could address at
most but a few thousands of people ; the poet and the historian
could only go from house to house and inn to inn and repeat their
tales, as did Homer and the troubadours, or write out a few copies
and deposit them in libraries ; but the printers make all the world
their audience. The publishers and practical printers, then, for
their great usefulness, are fairly entitled to stand in high estimation
by the side'of the authors and editors, whose works they issue to
the world, crystalized and perpetuated in the printed page, to
instruct or amuse not merely the people of their own day, but of
many future generations.
On another occasion, this theme may be profitably developed, by
some one more competent than I am, into an elaborate discussion
of the dignity, the duties and the responsibilities of the professions
which this'Association represents. I have suggested it for your
reflection, hopeful that your own consideration of it will lead you
to higher aims, a better improvement of your great opportunities,
and a better discharge of all your duties to the public.
And now I turn to a topic more pertinent to this historical occa-
sion, to wit, the earliest printers in Vermont. They were not large
and brilliant lights, but as a candle set on a bushel. Their little
light went a little way, for there were but few people then, even
within the limits of the whole state, and no mail routes, so that
the subscription-lists must necessarily have been small. Neverthe-
less the first light-givers were very useful to the state, which had
been compelled to go elsewhere for the state-printing ; and useful
Mr. Walton's Address. 151
also to the people within their reach, in giving the news of the day,
and discussing, by our then best writers, subjects of the greatest
public importance. But more largely they were useful in stimula-
ting a taste for reading, and a demand for more printers, books,
and newspapers, so that in this centennial year, the profession in
Vermont ranks fully as high as in any other section of the country
outside of the metropolitan cities. Let us then accord due honor
to the first adventurer in the field of Vermont journalism.
The first printing pi-ess in Vermont was probably brought by
Samuel Gale, who was married in Brattleborough in 1773, a sur-
veyor under New York in that year, and appointed clerk of Cum-
berland (now Windham) county court in 1774. He was an
Englishman by birth, well educated, a gentleman in manners, and
a Tory in politics. As clerk of the court, he of course fought on
the court side in the Westminster massacre of 1775, and for that
he was arrested and imprisoned by the Whigs, and his property
was confiscated by Vermont. In fact he was so long in prison,
under different authorities, that he abandoned the country on his
release by the Continental Congress, and took office in Canada, and
subsequently a pension from the British government. The evi-
dence that he brought the first printing press into Vermont is
meagre, yet tolerably satisfactory. The " writing office," (so runs
the record) " of one Pale" at Westminster, was confiscated to the
use of the state by the legislature in 1780. The name of Pale does
not appear in Thomas' History of Printing, neither does that of
Samuel Gale, he not being a printer ; but it is obvious that the P
instead of the G is a natural clerical error. There is ample evi-
cence that Gale was at Westminster in 1774-5, as clerk of the court ;
that he was a man of leai-ning, ambitious of authorship at Philadel-
phia in 1772, and actually an author subsequently in England. The
most reasonable inference is, that Gale brought printing materials
with him to Vermont, with the intention of using them, though by
reason, possibly, of his short residence in the state and a lack of
printers, there is no evidence that these materials were ever used
by him.
152 jBennington Centennial.
The next press, brought for the use of Vermont, was established
at Dresden, now Hanover, N. H., in 1778, by Timothy Green and
Judah Paddock Spooner. In both Thomas' History and Zadock
Thompson's Vermont, it is stated that they set up their press at
Westminster in that year ; but Thomas subsequently stated, that
they first went to Hanover, printed a newspaper for a short time,
and afterward removed to Westminster and printed the first newspa-
per in Vermont. June 11, 1778, Dresden and Hanover (now one
town), and other New Hampshire towns were annexed to Vermont,
and in October, 1778, Dresden, Hanover and nine other New Hamp-
shire towns were represented in the Vermont legislature, and on
the second day of the session it was " Voted and resolved that
Judah Paddock and Alden Spooner be, and are hereby, appointed
printers for the General Assembly of this state." A proclamation of
Governor Chittendeu, dated June 3, 1779, was " Printed by Judah
Paddock and Alden Spooner, printers to the General Assembly of
the state of Vermont."* The first union of New Hampshire towns
with Vermont was dissolved in February, 1779, and it is therefore
probable that the brothers Spooner removed their office from Dres-
den to Westminster in that year, and that Timothy Green had taken
the place of Alden Spooner. However that may be, it is certain
that the first newspaper within the present limits of Vermont was
issued at Westminster, February 12, 1781. I will describe it from
a copy in the library of the Vermont Historical Society :
The sheet measures 17 x 12 J inches Isaiah Thomas called it pot
paper. Alas ! how many printers and printing offices in Vermont
have since " gone to pot !" the type to the smelter and refiner, to
come out anew, brilliant as silver, to print the wisdom that is more
precious than gold ; and the poor printers, I would gladly hope with
*The sermon of Rev. Aaron Hutch inson, preached before the Convention a t
Windsor, July 2, 1777, was prepared for the press September 6, 1777. It WM
printed at Dresden, " by Judah Paddock and Alden Spooner," but when does not
appear. The first book I have met with, printed at Dresden with a date, is an
English grammar by Hon. Abel Curtia of Norwich, "printed by J. P. & A
Spooner, 1779." It is claimed that this was the first English grammar written
and printed in this country.
Mr. Walton's Address. 153
Benjamin Franklin, to " appear once more in a new and more elegant
edition, revised and coi'rected by the author." I read the title :
" Vol. 1, Number 8. Ihe Vermont Gazette or Green Mountain
Post Boy. Monday, April 2, 1781.
" Pliant as Reeds, where Streams of Freedom glide ;
Firm as the Hills, to stem Oppression's Tide.
" Westminster, Printed by Judah Paddock Spooner & Timothy
Green." I will state its contents, and first the class most profitable
to the publishers the advertisements : there are four, viz. a notice
of an application for a meeting of the proprietors of the town of
Dorset ; a commissioners' notice ; a promise of reward for settlers
in the town of Killington (now Sherburne) ; and the standing adver-
tisement in every Vermont newspaper for many years, of " Cash
given for any kind of Cotton and Linen Rags." Next, I turn to
the editorial, eight lines in all, announcing an adjourned session of
the General Court at Windsor, meaning the Legislature, to consider
a proposed union of a large pai't of New Hampshire with Vermont ;
and a report of the capture of Genei'al Arnold with all his troops.
And now for the news: two columns and a half are given to revo-
lutionary war news, and three columns to foreign news, the last
being more than can be found ordinarily in any number of a Ver-
mont newspaper of the present day. On the fourth page is a " Par-
nassian Packet," containing an ode on charity ; and I complete the
list of contents by noticing a well written political article by a con-
tributor, the first of a series against the annexation of part of New
York to Vermont, which was then proposed in Western Vermont,
as a balance to the New Hampshire territory that was coveted by
Eastern Vermont And this reminds me of a prominent feature in
the early newspapers of Vermont to which I will barely advert.
The editors, Matthew Lyon excepted, paid little attention to politi-
cal matters, leaving these to their contributoi's, among whom were
the ablest men in the state the Aliens, Chipmans, Bradleys and
Robinsons ; and in both politics and literature, contributions were
frequent from Nathaniel Niles, Chief Justice Tyler, James Elliot,
Thomas Green Fessenden the poet, and probably on rare occasions
from Chief Justice Prentiss, who waa an associate and friend ot
154: Hcnnington Centennial.
Thomas Green Fessenden. This list of contributors can be consid-
erably extended, proving that the best minds in the state were
zealous for the public good, and some of them, doubtless, for their
own.
Another remarkable feature in the early Vermont newspa-
pers, growing partly out of the lack of other matter, was the
republication in full of official reports and other public docu-
ments, and voluminous political works. Among these I remember
one, on American politics, by Anne Robert James Turgot, an emi-
nent statesman of France, written to the Rev. Dr. Richard Price
of England, who was also very eminent as a political writer, and so
highly esteemed that Congress invited him to become a citizen of
this country. Turgot's pamphlet provoked a volume by John
Adams, in defense of the American constitutions : a fact which
amply proves that the early Vermont printers exhibited a very strong
light to the people fed them with strong meat rather than milk
for babes. They peimitted the ablest writers to speak for them-
selves. I have really doubted whether the old and comparatively
small newspapers of Vermont were not, for the two peculiarities
which I have named, better teachers in public matters than the far more
pretentious newspapers of our own day. The prevailing fashion
now is, to filter everything through the editor's brain ; and if the
water be crystal, and the brain foul what ? I suggest, therefore,
to the editors before me of course without intimating that their
brains are foul whether an occasional exchange of editorials for
selections of a solid sort will not give better bread and wine to your
hungry patrons, and real relief to your over- worked brains. Right
over against the inclination of most editors, high and humble, to
fill their columns with original matter, I put this proverb : " Seest
thou a man that is hasty in his words ? there is more hope of a
fool than of him." Certainly I believe that we can often show
more wisdom by selecting the words of others than by multiplying
our own.
To Connecticut is Vermont indebted for the first governor, the
first most ninent jurist, the first printers, and the first newspaper ;
Mr. Walton's Address. 155
and to Massachusetts for the second governor, the second newspa-
per, and for the Connecticut printers who first came to Vennont.
Timothy Green the third of New London, Connecticut, was a
descendant of Samuel Green of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who
was the immediate successor to the first printer in New England,
and the ancestor of a long line of printei's and publishei's. To this
Timothy Green is due the honor of originating the first printing
office and newspaper in Vermont, although he was never a citizen
of the state, but sent his brothers in-law, Judah Paddock Spooner
and Alden Spooner, to run the oflice. The Spooners were descend-
ants of William Spooner, who was indentured as an apprentice to
John Holmes, gentleman, at New Plymouth (now Plymouth),
Massachusetts, in March, 1637 ; so that if Connecticut was our
mother, the good old Bay State was our prolific grandmother.
Prolific I say, for among her descendants in Vermont were Judah
Paddock Spooner of Westminster, Windsor and Fair Haven ;
Alden Spooner of Windsor ; Jeduthan Spooner of Burlington and
St. Albans ; Wyman Spooner of Royalton and Chelsea, who has
recently been honored as Lieutenant-Governor of Wisconsin ;
Anthony Haswell of Bennington ; and a pretty long list of gradu-
ates from the office of Isaiah Thomas of Worcester, Massachusetts.
These and others of the early printers and publishers of Vermont
were all useful men in their day lights in the little circles in which
they dwelt several of them honored by the people, notably Mat-
thew Lyon and two of the Spooners and doubtless all of them
were worthy of higher honors and richer rewards than usually fal
to the craft, evenjinthis day of greater light, deeper culture, and
higher civilization. But let us not complain ; it is honor enough
for any man to be a good editor or a good printer, since the pro-
fession has the widest of all fields of honorable labor, and the
noblest of all ends that of doing good.
156 Bennington Centennial.
THE VERMONT CENTENNIAL COMMIS-
SION.
President.
EDWARD J. PHELPS.
Vice-Presidents.
Hiland Hall, Bennington.
Ryland Fletcher, Cavendish.
Frederick Holbrook, Brattleboro.
J. Gregory Smith, St. Albans.
Paul Dillingham, Waterbury.
John B. Page, Rutland.
Geo. W. Hendee, Morristown.
John W. Stewart, Middlebury.
Julius Converse, Woodstock.
Asahel Peck, Jericho.
W. H. H. Bingham, Stowe.
Burnam Martin, Chelsea.
Geo. N. Dale, Island Pond.
W. W. Grout, Barton,
Jed P. Ladd, Alburgh.
Secretary.
CHARLES M. BLISS.
Treasurer.
MILO C. HULING.
Centennial Commission.
157
Executive Committee.
Henry G. Root, Bennington.
Milo C. Ruling, Bennington.
A. B. Valentine, Bennington.
Geo. A. Merrill, Rutland.
Carroll S. Page, Hyde Park.
Joseph Battell,
J. Boynton,
John Dwyer,
Loyal D. Eldridge,
George W. Grandey,
H. C. Hunt,
H. C. Johnson,
Henry Lane,
William P. Nash,
Julius North,
Alfred M. Roscoe,
E. S. Stowell,
A. S. Tracy,
Amos Aldrich,
Enos Adams,
William B. Arnold,
George J. Bond,
B. E. Brownell,
William Burgess,
Orrin Bates,
Chas. H. Barber,
Nathan Bottum,
H. B. Bottum,
Austin E. Bartlett,
J. K. Bachelder,
J. E. Buck,
ADDISON COUNTY.
Charles Burt,
G. R. Chapman,
E. S. Dana,
Albert A Fletcher,
A. C, Harris,
Calvin B. Hulbert,
L. E. Knapp,
Joel H. Lucia,
D. W. Nash,
John Pierpoint,
Edward Seymour,
James M. Slade,
F. E. Woodbridge.
BENNINGTON COUNTY.
Samuel F. Harris,
Isaac Jennings,
Thomas Jewett,
J. R. Judson,
Samuel Keyes,
Duane L. Kent,
Edward Kinsley,
A. P. Lyman,
Levi A. Lincoln,
J. V. D. S. Merrill,
Thomas McDaniels,
William P. Mattison,
J. Montgomery,
158
Bennington Centennial.
E. B. Burton,
John W. Beebe,
W. H. Beebe,
E. G. Bacon,
Hiram Bingham,
James Bullock,
Charles M. Bliss,
Henry E. Bradford,
G. W. Bradley,
Asahel Booth,
Henry Booth,
George Benton,
Samuel H. Brown,
Franklin Blackmer,
Harmon Canfield,
A. P. Childs,
E. S. Chandler,
Mason S. Colburn,
John V. Carney,
Sidney Colviu,
Ezra Crawford,
Hiram Cole,
J. Halsey Cushman,
Eugene O. Cole,
L. B. Chandler,
Da rid Carpenter,
Frederick G. Clark,
Barber Chase,
Charles E. Dewey,
Elijah Dewey,
Elijah Downs,
G. K. Davis,
G. W. Farwell,
Elijah D. Fillmore,
Austin Fenn,
Abram B. Gardner,
Norman Millington,
John L. Mason,
Silas Mason,
Loveland Munson,
James B. Meacham,
A. L. Miner,
E. N. S. Morgan,
L. P. Norton,
Daniel O'Donnell,
F. H. Orvis,
Abraham G. Parker,
Trenor W. Park,
Augustus H. Potter,
Henry J. Potter,
J. E. Prest,
Henry W. Putnam,
Milo Pierce,
I. F. Paddock,
John E. Pratt,
Daniel Robinson,
George W. Robinson,
Alfred Robinson,
Moses Robinson,
F. Q. Robinson,
H. G. Root,
Lyman Rogers,
Milo G. Remington,
George Rockwood,
Daniel Romaine,
W. Bradley Randall,
Benjamin R. Sears,
Dwight Riddle,
Samuel B. Sanford,
C. R. Sanford,
Olin Scott,
S. S. Scott,
Centennial Commission.
159
Solomon W. Gardner,
Samuel J. Gardner,
J. H. Guild,
A. P. Graham,
F. W. Goodall,
Dwight P. Gates,
A. J. Gray,
Frank Guiltinane,
Luther R. Graves,
Eben Graves,
Rudolph Goldsmith,
R. B. Godfrey,
Irving E. Gibson,
Seth B. Hunt,
Milo C. Ruling,
A. W. Harwood,
A. M. Ruling,
Solomon Howard,
James R. Houghton,
Chas. E. Houghton,
P. T. Hubbell,
Jerome J. Hill,
Henr> D. Hall,
John V. Hall,
'Thomas H. Hall,
Reuben T. Hurd,
William E. Hawks,
J. C. Houghton,
Michael Healy,
John Healy,
E. D. Blodgett,
James D. Bell,
Henry C. Belden,
Henry Chase,
C. M. Chase,
D. K. Simonds,
Tarrant Sibley,
Clark Stone,
P. M. Sanders,
Sidney B. Squires,
George H. Simmons,
J. N. Scranton,
Asa D. Stewart,
David F. Squires,
John T. Shurtleff,
Charles W. Swift,
A. H. Tucker,
Dwight Taylor,
Charles Thatcher,
E. M. Thompson,
A. B. Valentine,
John W. Vail,
Marcus Whipple,
Thomas White,
C. C. Wheeler,
Pliny Wright,
Frank C. White,
Charles E. Welling,
Fernando West,
A. W. Wilmarth,
Edward Walbridge,
Jonas Wilder,
Albert Walker,
George W. Yates,
E. R. Yale.
CALEDONIA COUNTT,
George E. Eaton,
Franklin Fairbanks,
H. E. Folsom,
Luke P. Poland,
A. E. Rankin,
160
Bennington Centennial.
Bliss N. Davis,
Charles S. Dana,
Joseph R. Delano,
Calvin H. Blodgett,
M. H. Buckham,
George H. Bigelow,
G. G. Benedict,
George F. Edmunds,
T. W. Fisher,
Samuel Huntington,
Joseph D. Hatch,
H. C. Leaven worth,
A. N. Merchant,
Horace Adams,
H. A. Cutting,
Lawrence Brainard,
Herbert Brainard,
Bradley Barlow,
Oscar S. Ricksford,
Albert Clarke,
Park Davis,
Willard Farrington,
Ethan A. Hull,
A. B. Jewett,
L. Millis,
F. McGettrick,
H. W. Conro,
Nathan G. Hill,
Jonathan Ross,
C. M. Stone,
S. S. Thompson.
CH1TTENDEN COUKTY.
E. D. Mason,
Theodore S. Peck,
Daniel Roberts,
Bradley B. Smalley,
E. M. Sutton,
George B. Safford,
C. M. Spaulding,
L. G. Ware,
T. E. Wales.
ESSEX COUNTY.
Z. M. Mansur,
David S. Storrs.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
John W. Newton,
E. Henry Powell,
Homer E. Royce,
S. E. Royce,
Worthington C. Smith,
Hiram Skeels,
Albert Sowles,
E. A. Sowles,
F. S. Stranahan,
Charles Wyman.
GRAND IST.E COUNTY.
Jerome Hutchins,
Buel Landon.
Waldo Brigham,
H. Henry Powers,
Centennial Commission.
LAMOILLE COUNTT.
Edwin Wheelock.
161
ORANGE COUNTY.
J. W. Bliss,
George Crane,
Edward Conant,
W. H. DuBois,
Roswell W. Farnham,
Edward P, George,
George H. Blake,
Charles Carpenter,
J. W. Currier,
D. M. Camp,
Charles L. Allen,
Rodney C. Abel,
Jesse Burdett,
H. H. Baxter,
A. C. Bates,
George R. Bottum,
J. B. Bromley,
B. H. Burt,
A. S. Baker,
Samuel W. Burnham,
William H. Bryant,
John N. Baxter,
Charles W. Brigham,
J. W. Cramton,
John Cain,
11
John Lynde,
Justin S. Movrill,
William R. Shedd,
George L. Spear,
Stephen Thomas.
ORLEANS COUNTY.
E. P. Colton,
Stephen M. Davis,
N. T. Sheaf.
RUTLAND COUNTT.
Henry Hall,
Joel M. Haven,
Solomon W. Jewett,
Cyrus Jennings,
Charles H. Joyce,
L. G. Kingsley,
P. Redfield Kendall,
Henry F. Lothrop,
E.JA. Morse,
C. A. Mott,
E. L. Ormsbee,
Redfield Proctor,
S. F. Paige,
Wm. R. Page,
E. A. Pond,
162
JSennington Centennial,
George H. Cheney,
H. W. Cheney,
Frederick Chaffee,
C. D. Childs,
Jonas Clark,
Merritt Clark,
Henry Clark,
E. Foster Cook,
John A. Conant,
C. H. Congdon,
S. M. Dorr,
W. C. Dunton,
M. G. Everts,
C. H. Forbes,
G. H. Fox,
Henry F. Field,
George E. Graves,
S. L. Griffith,
Middleton Goldsmith,
Charles P. Harris,
J. B. Harris,
L. P. Howe,
E. V. N. Harwood,
E. W. Homer,
Frederick Billings,
Franklin Butler,
James Barrett,
Artemas Cushman,
Dudley C. Denison,
Gilbert A. Davis,
Wm. M. Evarts,
M. C. Edmonds,
W. C. French,
Luther O. Green,
S. B. Pettengill,
John J. Parris,
J. J. R. Randall,
L. W. Redington,
W. Y. W. Ripley,
D. W. Rodgers,
S. W. Rowell,
L. E. Roys,
Edward H. Ripley,
John A. Sheldon,
Charles Sheldon,
N. T. Sprague,
M. O. Stoddard,
N. P. Simons,
A. H. Tuttle,
Edward Temple,
Wheelock G. Veaiey,
Aldace F. Walker,
Chauncy K. Williams,
Samuel Williams,
John C. Williams,
John Williard,
Z. V. K. Wilson,
E. O. Whipple.
WINDSOR COUNTY.
Hugh Henry,
D. C. Hackett,
H. H. Harlow,
Wm. D. McMaster,
Crosby Miller,
Prosper Merrill,
H. L. Rodimon,
N. B. Safford,
W. H. Walker,
Ervin J. Whitcomb.
Centennial Commission.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
163
Hiram Atkins,
J. W. Brock,
George O. Boyce,
N. W. Braley,
John W. Clark,
J. A. Coburn,
L. Bart Cross,
W. P. Dillingham,
C. S. Dana,
Charles Dewey,
Edward Dewey,
J. Y. Dewey,
Albert Dwinell,
George M. Fisk,
B. F. Fideld,
Horace Fitield,
E. E. French,
Henry K. Field,
M. D. Gilman,
S. B. Gale,
Homer W. Heaton,
J. H. Hastings,
J. H. Holden.
Charles H. Heath,
H. A. Huse,
E. P. Jewett,
Lester Kingsley,
James R. Langdon,
Charles E. Alexander,
John F. Alexander,
William Adams,
William Austine,
J. P. Lamson,
Horace Lyford,
W. S. Martin,
George Nichols,
O. W. Orcutt,
John A. Page,
P. P. Pitkin,
J. M. Poland,
George A. Putnam,
Timothy P. Redfield,
Ira Richardson,
Philander Riford,
C. A. Reed,
George W. Reed,
G. W. Randall,
Charles T. Sabin,
W. A. Stowell,
George Shepard,
Fred E. Smith,
J. S. Spaulding,
George W. Tilden,
A. N. Tilden,
J. K. Tobey,
Charles W. Willard,
S. L. Wiswall,
E. P. Walton,
George Wooster.
WINDHAM COUNTY.
O. S. Howard,
D. A. Hammond,
Josiah G. Higgins,
William Harris,
164
B^nnington Centennial.
David Arnold,
John Aiken,
Hosea F. Ballou,
Hosea B. Ballou,
E. T. Butterfield,
O. E. Butterfield,
John L. Butterfield,
A. A. Butterfield,
F. G. Butterfield,
Leonard Brown,
Lorenzo Brown,
J. R. Ball,
Horace Birchard,
Richards Bradley,
Francis W. Brooks,
George J. Brooks,
Herbert F. Brooks,
William H. Bigelow,
George B. Boyd,
S. N. Bemis,
A. B. Bailey,
Charles Barrett,
Ambrose H. Burgess,
John A.. Butler,
S. Wright Bowker,
H. W. Brigham,
Fred O. Burditt,
Austin Burchard,
Haynes E. Baker,
George H. Babbitt,
J. D. Bridgman,
Augustus Chandler,
Lafayette Clark,
George E. Crowell,
R. W. Clarke,
Fred W. Childs,
William Han-is" Jr.,
Moees H.|Harris,
Broughton D. Harris,
Fred H. Harris,
George W.^Hooker,
George Howe,
N. Sherman Howe,
H. D. Holtoo,
Kittredge Haskins,
Seth N. Herrick,
\\ . S. Jenkins,
Laban Jones Jr.,
Tyler L. Johnson,
J. Henry Kidder,
Harry R. Lawrence,
Henry Lane,
Henry C. Lane,
W. W. Lynde,
D. P. Leonard,
O. C. Merrifield,
Joseph G. Martin,
J. L. Martin,
Wm. O. Miller,
Abijah Muzzy,
J. W. Melendy,
Benj. E. Morse,
Samuel P. Miller,
Franklin Moore,
Ed. L. Norton,
Stephen Niles,
F. W. Olmsted,
D. Stewart Pratt,
N. F. Perry,
E. A. Plimpton,
Francis Phelps,
James Phelps,
Centennial Commission.
16*
W. H. Coiling,
N. F. Cabot,
Edward Crosby,
William B. Cutting,
Ansel B. Collins,
Milo R. Crosby,
Charles N. Davenport,
Charles H. Davenport,
Joseph Draper,
Henry Devens,
George S. Dowley,
O. D. Gray,
AveryJ. Dexter,
Dana D. Dickinson,
Josiah B. Divoll,
Jacob Esty,
Julius J. Estey,
William H. Esterbrook,
Charles F. Esterbrook,
C. B. Eddy,
Charles K. Field,
Levi K. Fuller,
E. A. Fitch,
Olin A. French,
John A. Farnsworth,
William H. Follett,
Wyman Flint,
O. C. Fitts,
Francis Goodhue,
Eleazer Gorham,
Oscar Garfield,
Jerry J. Green,
H. O. Gillett,
J. B. Holden,
H. N. Hix,
Samuel L. Hunt,
J. H. Russell,
E. L. Roberts,
L. M. Reed,
Wm. Robertson,
John Robertson,
Charles B. Rice,
W. H. Rockwell,
John C. Richardson,
David E. Bobbins,
F. E. Ray,
George Slade,
Abishai Stoddard,
Edgar W. Stoddard,
R. S. Safford,
A. N. Swain,
A. Stevens,
NorrisL. Stetson,
L. N. Sprague,
George Spafford,
Jed Stark,
Alpheus H. Stone,
Oscar L. Sherman,
Henry S. Smith,
John L. Simonds,
Albert J. Simonds,
Parley Starr,
E. C Sargent,
Royall Tyler,
James M. Tyler,
L. M. Tucker,
H. H. Wheeler,
James H. Williams,
S. M. Waite,
E. L. Waterman,
William G. Wyman,
A. A. Wyman,
166 Bennington Centennial.
E. L. Harrington, George L. Walker,
Wm. H. H. Holton, Lewis S. Walker,
Henry H. Holton, Asa Winchester,
Luke Y. Higley, Brutug M. Whitney,
Simon W. Houghton, Addison Whithed,
Alexis B. Hewitt, Dan P. Webster,
A. C. Howard, S. E. Wheat.
The Battle of Bennington.
BY HON. HILAND HALL.
INTRODUCTORY.
In the following account of the battle of Bennington, only the
leading facts are attempted to be given, numerous interesting and
exciting incidents being necessarily omitted.
In order to have a just appreciation of the battle and its conse-
quences, it is necessary to call to mind the condition of the country
and of the state at the time of its occurrence.
The campaign of 1776 in the northern department had been
disastrous to the American arms. After suffering severe losses,
our forces had been driven from Canada in great distress, and the
enemy, by the destruction of the American flotilla, had obtained
full command of the waters of Lake Champlain. Great numbers
of troops were arriving at Quebec from Europe, and a fearful inva-
sion was expected at the opening of the lake in the spring. To
meet such invasion extensive works had been erected at Ticonde-
Battle of JBennington. 167
roga, on which great reliance was placed. But they were defective
in arrangement, and but partially manned, and on the approach of
Gen. Burgoyne, with a powerful army, Gen. St. Clair found they
would be wholly untenable, and felt compelled to abandon them.
The rear guard of his retreating army, under the command of Col.
Seth Warner, was overtaken the next day, July 7, 1777, at Hub-
bardton, by a large body of the enemy t and after a brave resistance,
during which many were killed and wounded on both sides, was
overpowered by numbers and obliged to give way. The greater
portion of St. Claii''s force succeeded in forming a junction with
Gen. Schuyler at Fort Edward, while the remnant of Col. Warner's
regiment, about 140 strong, took post at Manchester.
Burgoyne's army, numbering about 9,000 men, was equipped and
iurnished with every war-like material that wealth and skill could
supply, and consisted mostly of British and German veterans, with
bodies of Canadians and Tories, and a formidable horde ot Indians.
Its commander expected to make a triumphant march to Albany,
there to be met by an army from New York, and thus, by obtaining
the control of the Hudson River, and cutting off New England
from the other states, to complete the conquest of the country for
the King. He had already issued a flaming proclamation, threat-
ening destruction to the lives and property of all who should oppose
him, but promising protection and security to those who should
give him their adhesion, and offering payment " in solid coin " for
all provisions that should be brought to his camp. On the 10th of
July, having reached Skenesborough, now Whitehall, he issued
another proclamation in which he directed " the inhabitants of Cas-
tleton, Hubbardton, Rutland, Tinrnouth, Pawlet, Wells and Gran-
ville, with the neighboring districts ; also the districts bordering on
White Creek (Salem), Camden, Cambridge, &c., &c.," to send ten
persons or more from each township to meet Col. Skene at Cas-
tleton on the 15th, who would " communicate conditions upon
which the persons and properties of the disobedient might yet be
spared." The proclamation concluded with the following barbarous
threat : " This fail not under the pain of military execution"
168 ^Bennington Centennial.
To a large portion of the frontier inhabitants, Burgoyne's army
appeared irresistible. If he should let loose his horde of savages
upon them, which in his first proclamation he said " amounted to
thousands," there would seem to be no escape for them. Great
numbers from those towns, and some from towns still further to the
south repaired to Col. Skene, and taking the oath of allegiance to
the Crown, some from choice and some from supposed necessity,
received written protections for their security. Of these many
took up arms against their country, and joined the invading army.
But the more patriotic portion of the inhabitants, scorning sub-
mission to the invaders, abandoned their homes to the mercy
of the enemy, and taking with them such of their effects as
they were able to transport, fled to the south, some stopping in
Bennington, but most of them going on to their friends in Berk-
shire county and Connecticut. Berkshire county, in the language
of a contemporary, was " burdened with these fugitives." Nearly
all of the territory between Bennington and the route of Burgoyne
towards the Hudson and Albany was thus made, in effect, an ene-
my's country, and Bennington became a frontier town.
Prior to the revolution the territory of Vermont was known by
the name of the New Hampshire Grants, over which the govern-
ment of New York claimed jurisdiction, and also the title to its
lands. This claim was disputed by its inhabitants, who after a long
and severe controversy, had by a convention of their delegates held
at Westminster on the 17th of January, 1777, declared the territory
an independent state. At the time of the evacuation of Ticonderoga
by St. Clair, a subsequent convention of the new state was in session
at Windsor, engaged in the work of framing its new constitution of
government ; and the abandonment of that post left the families of
many of its members in immediate peril. At the news of this
alarming event the constitution was somewhat hurriedly adopted,
and having appointed a Council of Safety to manage the affairs of
the state until the regular government could be put in operation,
the convention adjourned.
The Council of Safety thus constituted, met first at Manchester,
but soon adjourned to Bennington, where it continued in permanent
Battle of Bennington. L69
session throughout the year, adopting and carrying into effect the
most energetic measures for protecting the state against its foreign
as well as its domestic enemies. Pressing messages having been
sent to New Hampshire and Massachusetts for aid, such of the
militia as could be gathered were called out to strengthen the
force of Col. Warner at Manchester, where an attack was appre-
hended. A permanent force to patrol the frontiers and to guard
against any covert outbreak of the Tories in their midst, was
indispensable, and to provide means for maintaining such a force,
and to meet their other expenses in defending the state, the Council
ordered the property of those of their inhabitants that had joined
the enemy to be sequestered and sold. A proper fund being thus
secured, a regiment of Rangers was organized under the command
of Col. Samuel Herrick, which did efficient and valuable service to
the state and country.
New Hampshire responded nobly to the call of the Vermont
Council. The Assembly at once ordered a large poi'tion of their
militia to be organized into a brigade and placed under the com-
mand of Gen. John Stark. He had served with credit and honor in
the previous French war, and as colonel at Bunker Hill, and in Canada,
and under Washington at Trenton and Princeton, but Congress had
promoted junior officers over him, and he had resigned his commis-
sion and retired from the service, though he retained the same
patriotic ardor as before. He was reluctant to be placed under
officers he had outranked, and there was also at the time a very
general distrust in New England of Gen. Schuyler, who was in
command of the northern department ; for which reasons Gen.
Stark's written instructions were of a discretionary character. He
was directed " to repair to Charlestown, No. 4," and when the troops
were collected there, " to take the command of them and march
into the state of Vermont, and there act in conjunction with the
troops of that state, or any other of the states, or of the United
States, or separately, as it should appear expedient to him, for the
protection of the people or the annoyance of the enemy."
Crossing the Green Mountain from Charlestown with the greater
part of his command, Stark reached Manchester on the 7th o
170 Bennington Centennial.
August, where he met Gen. Lincoln, who had been sent from Still-
water by Gen. Schuyler to conduct his militia to the west bank of
the Hudson. Stark communicated his instructions and declined
obedience on the ground of the dangerous conditiou in which it
would leave the people of Vermont, and because he believed Bur-
goyne would be more embarrassed in his operations by his remaining
on his left than by his joining the army in front. But for this
refusal of Stark, which was founded on the soundest military view
ol the state of affairs, Bennington would have been in a measure
defenseless, and would doubtless have fallen a prey to the enemy.
At Manchester Stark found that a considerably large body of
the enemy, which for some time had been at Castleton, threatening
Manchester and to cross over to Connecticut river, had marched to
the Hudson, he with his force passed on to Bennington, where he
arrived on the 9th. He was accompanied by Col. Warner, whose
continental regiment was left at Manchester under the command of
Lieut. Col. Samuel Safford. At Beunington Gen. Stark encamped
for a few days, collecting information in regard to the position and
designs of the enemy, and consulting with the Council of Safety,
and with Col. Warner relative to future operations.
The progress of Burgoyne towards Albany had been so retarded
by the natural difficulties of the route, and the obstructions thrown
in his way by the Americans, that it was nearly a month after his
departure from Ticonderoga, before he reached the Hudson river.
Here he found himself so deficient in provisions, and also in cattle
and carriages for transportation, that he was much embarsassed
about the means for advancing further. Learning that the articles
he most needed had been collected in considerable quantities at
Bennington as a convenient depot to supply the American forces,
he resolved to seize them for the use of his own army.
For this service Lieut. Col. Baum was selected. Burgoyne in
his letter to the English Ministry states the force under his com-
mand to have consisted of 200 dismounted dragoons, " Captain
Frazer'g marksmen [called, also, rangers], which were the only
British, all the Canadian volunteers, a party of Provincials [Col.
Petere' corps of Tories], 100 Indians, and two light pieces of can-
Battle of JBennington. , 171
non, the whole detachment amounting to about 500 men." There
is no doubt this number is too small by several hundreds. The
German official accounts give the number of the troops of Baum
at 374, instead of 200 ; and of the British, Canadians and Tories,
the prisoners taken in the action amounted to 230, as will be seen
hereafter, which would swell Baum's force to over 600, without
reckoning those who were killed in battle and the many who
escaped by flight. There can be little doubt that the number of
men brought into action by Baum exceeded 700, besides his 100
Indians. Col. Skene, at the request of Burgoyne, had accompanied
the expedition, that the German commander might have the benefit
of his better knowledge of the country, and of his supposed influ-
ence with its people.
PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE.
Baum set off with his force on the 13th of August, and arrived
the same day at Cambridge, sixteen miles from Bennington. Early
the next morning he reached Sancoick, a small settlement near the
mouth of the White Creek branch of the Walloomsac river about
half a mile below the present village of North Hoosick. Here he
found a party of Americans in possession of a mill which they
abandoned on his approach, and in the mill, on the head of a barrel,
he wrote Burgoyne an account of his progress, informing him that
"by five prisoners taken here they agree that 1.500 to 1,800 men
are at Bennington, but are supposed to leave on our approach."
They did leave on his approach, but not in the direction he had
anticipated. The old mill at Sancoick is still standing and in use
by John W. Burke, the present owner, and is about eight miles from
Bennington.
Gen. Stark, on the 13th, had received information from scouts
that a party of Indians was at Cambridge, and he sent Lieut. Col.
Gregg, of his brigade, with 200 men to stop their progress, but
during the night he was advised that a large body of troops, with
artillery, were in the rear of the Indians, and that they were
advancing towards Bennington. He immediately sent to Manchester
for Col. Warner's continental regiment, and also for the neighboring
172 JBennington Centennial.
militia to rally to his support. On the morning of the 14th he
assembled his brigade, and in company with Cols. Warner, Wil-
liams, Herrick and Brush, went out to meet the enemy. He had
marched about five miles when he met Gregg on his retreat from
Sancoick and the enemy in close pursuit. Stark drew up his men
in order of battle, but Baum halted in a commanding position, and
the ground occupied by Stark being unfavorable for a general
attack, he fell back about a mile and encamped. His encampment
was in the northwest part of Bennington, on the farm formerly
owned by Paul M. Henry, on the hill upon which a dwelling has
lately been erected by Lewis Northouse, the present proprietor.
The Walloomsac river is a branch of the Hoosick, fordable in
most places, having in general a westerly course, but which after
passing Stark's encampment runs in a northern direction tor half a
mile, then westerly for a mile and a half, where it turns suddenly
to the south, and pursues that course for three-quarters of a mile or
more. Here, on the west side of the river, Baum halted and made
his arrangements for defense. On the top of a thickly wooded
hill, which rises abruptly three or four hundred feet from the west
bank of the stream, he posted the greater part of his Germans,
under his own immediate command. This position was west of the
sudden bend in the stream, and Baum's front to the east was well
secured against an attack by the precipitous ascent of the hill on
that side, which impracticable ascent extended from his camp for
half a mile along the bank of the river to the bridge at the southern
foot of the hill, over which the road from Bennington to Sancoick
and Cambridge passed. On the top of this hill Baum prepared
entrenchments of earth and logs to resist attacks from the west and
on his flanks.
For the defense of the important pass at the bridge Baum
caused a strong breastwork to be thrown up on the high bank of
the river, on which was mounted one of his cannon, in charge of a
body of German grenadiers. Two small breastworks were also
erected on opposite sides of the road, near the west end of the
bridge, which were manned by Frazer*s marksmen ; and the posi-
tion was still further strengthened by posting all the Canadians in
JSattle of Bennington. 173
log huts which were standing near the bridge on both sides of the
river. This point is where the river is now crossed by the covered
railroad bridge, about three miles from North Bennington on the
route to Troy.
Baum, on his way from the Hudson and at his encampment,
had been joined by a considerable number of Tories, many of them
under the lead of Col. Francis Pfister, a half-pay British officer of
wealth and extensive influence, who occupied an imposing residence
erected by him on the west bank of the Hoosick, near what is now .
known as Hoosick Corners. These, with most of Peters' corps of
loyalists, were posted on a hill east of the stream, forty or fifty rods
to the southeast of the bridge. Here strong works of defense
were erected, known as the " Tory breastwork," and of which Col.
Pfister is understood to have been placed in command. On its
right was a sharp ravine, and both flanks would have the protection
of ball and grape from the cannon at the bridge. The other cannon,
in charge of German grenadiers, supported by some Tories,
appears to have been placed further to the west in a cleared field
near the road. It was on a hillside which overlooked and com-
manded the approaches to the bridge and to the Tory encampment,
and also to the south flank of Baum's encampment. It may have
been moved nearer to Baum's position during the engagement*
The encampments of the two hostile bodies, though little more
than two miles apart, were entirely hidden from the sight of each
other by a heavily wooded intervening hill.
The force under Gen. Stark was composed of the greater part of
his brigade of New Hampshire militia; a small number of Vermont
militia from the east side of the mountain, under Col. William
Williams, who had been stationed at Manchester ; Col. Herrick's
The several positions of Baum's forces are shown by the plan in Burgoyne's
account of his expedition, of which a copy on a reduced scale is given in the
Memorials of a Century, by the Rev. Isaac Jennings, and another, still smaller, is
found in Lossing'a Field Book of the Revolution, The top of the map is west,
and upon it the Tories are designated as "American Volunteers," the British
marksmen as "Rangers," the Americans as " Bodies of the Enemy." All others,
except the " Canadians," are Germans, the " Chasseurs " being German marksmen.
On Burgoyne's map the Walloomsac is culled the Hoosick.
174 Bennington Centennial.
corps of rangers, then forming ; the state militia from Bennington
and its vicinity, under Col. Nathaniel Brush ; and on the morning
of the 16th, Stark was joined by Col. Simonds and some militia
from Berkshire county. His whole force might perhaps have
numbered about 1,600.
THE BATTLE.
The morning of the 16th was bright and clear, and Stark pre-
pared for the attack in accordance with the plan previously agreed
upon. Col. Nichols, with 200 of the New Hampshire troops, to
whom a reinforcement of 100 was afterward added, was detached
to make a wide circuit to the North of Baum's post and come
round upon the rear of his left, and Col. Herrick with 300 men,
composed of his rangers and Col. Brush's militia, was to make a
like wide southern circuit to the rear of his right, the two parties
to meet and make a joint attack upon his entrenchments. Cols.
Hubbard* and Stickney, with 300 of Stark's brigade, were ordered
to the enemy's extreme right. While these three detachments
were gaining their assigned positions, the enemy was amused by a
threatened attack on his front. About three o'clock in the after-
noon, firing was commenced by the party under Nichols, which
was the signal for a general assault. It was immediately followed
by the detachment under Herrick, and by that of Hubbard and
Stickney, while Stark himself, with his reserve of New Hampshire
men and the Berkshire and some Vermont militia, in the face of
the enemy's cannon, assailed the Tory breastwork and the pass at
the bridge in front. The engagement thus became general and
"lasted," says Stark in his report to Gates, "two hours, and was
the hottest I ever saw it represented one continued clap of thun-
der." The Indians, alarmed at the pi'ospect of being enclosed
between the parties of Nichols and Herrick, fled at the beginning
of the fight, but Baum, with his Germans and all others under his
command, having the advantage of their position behind entrench-
ments, which the rain of the 15th had given tkem ample time to
* Hubbard is the name given by Gen. Stark in his letter to Gates, and by most
other writers. The correct spelling is doubtless Hobarl.
Battle of Bennington. 175
erect and make strong, fought with great resolution and bravery,
but they were overpowered by their militia assailants, and either
ERRATA.
At page 174, end of first paragraph, add as follows:
On the night of the I4th, after ascertaining the position of
the enemy, Stark called a council, consisting of the leading
members of the Council of Safety as well as of Colonels Warner
and Herrick and other military officers, in which a plan for
attacking the enemy was discussed and adopted, and it was
agreed that the attack should be made the next morning. But
the 1 5th was so excessively rainy as to prevent any attempt at
a general action. Scouts were however sent out some of which
wei*e engaged in successful skirmishes.
THE BATTLE.
its march from Manchester, came up fresh under Lieut. Col. Safford,
and took its position in front, serving as a rallying point for the
scattered militia. Breyman advanced with his two brass field pieces
up the road, with wings of infantry on each side of it, occasionally
firing his cannon to clear the way, the Americans slowly retiringbefore
him. When a considerable body of the militia had been collected,
a stand was made (about forty or fifty rods east of the present
Walloomsac depot), and Breyman's force brought to a halt. Here
he was attacked in front and flanks, a most deadly fire being poured
into his ranks from a wooded hill on his left. The action was very
severe and continued till after sunset, when many of Breyman's
men being killed and wounded, and his artillery horses shot down,
he abandoned his cannon and fled. Gen. Stark pursued his flying
forces till the approaching darkness rendered it necessary to draw
off his men to prevent their firing upon each other. " With one
hour more of daylight," says Stark in his official report, " we
should have captured the whole body."
174 Bennington Centennial.
corps of rangers, then forming ; the state militia from Bennington
and its vicinity, under Col. Nathaniel Brush ; and on the morning
threatened attack on his front. About three o'clock in the after-
noon, firing was commenced by the party under Nichols, which
was the signal for a general assault. It was immediately followed
by the detachment under Herrick, and by that of Hubbard and
Stickney, while Stark himself, with his reserve of New Hampshire
men and the Berkshire and some Vermont militia, in the face of
the enemy's cannon, assailed the Tory breastwork and the pass at
the bridge in front. The engagement thus became general and
" lasted," says Stark in his report to Gates, " two hours, and was
the hottest I ever saw it represented one continued clap of thun-
der." The Indians, alarmed at the prospect of being enclosed
between the parties of Nichols and Herrick, fled at the beginning
of the fight, but Baum, with his Germans and all others under his
command, having the advantage of their position behind entrench-
ments, which the rain of the 15th had given tkem ample time to
* Hubbard is the name given by Gen. Stark in bis letter to Gates, and by most
other writers. Tbe correct spelling is doubtles* Hobart.
Battle of Bennington. 175
erect and make strong, fought with great resolution and bravery,
but they were overpowered by their militia assailants, and either
fled or surrendered prisoners of war.
The battle being ended and the prisoners sent off to Bennington
under a proper guard, the militia dispersed to look over the field
and collect plunder. But veiy soon intelligence was brought that
a large additional force from the British army was approaching,
and within the distance of two miles. This body of men was
under the command of Cul. Breyman, and consisted, besides 22
officers, of 620 rank and file, all Germans, with two pieces of
cannon, which Burgoyne, on hearing that the force at Bennington
was greater than had been expected, had dispatched to reinforce
Baurn The rain of the preceding day and the heaviness of the
roads had delayed Breyman 's arrival until the victory over the men
he had been sent to aid had been accomplished. The victors were,
however, in great confusion, and it appeared difficult to stop the
progress of the new enemy. Happily, at this juncture, Warner's
regiment of about 140 men, which had been delayed by the rain in
its march from Manchester, came up fresh under Lieut. Col. Saffbrd,
and took its position in front, serving as a rallying point for the
scattered militia. Breyman advanced with his two brass field pieces
up the road, with wings of infantry on each side of it, occasionally
firing his cannon to clear the way, the Americans slowly retiring before
him. When a considerable body of the militia had been collected,
a stand was made ("about forty or fifty rods east of the present
Walloomsac depot), and Breyman's force brought to a halt. Here
he was attacked in front and flanks, a most deadly fire being poured
into his ranks from a wooded hill on his left. The action was very
severe and continued till after sunset, when many of Breyman's
men being killed and wounded, and his artillery horses shot down,
he abandoned his cannon and fled. Gen. Stark pursued his flying
forces till the approaching darkness rendered it necessary to draw
off his men to prevent their firing upon each other. " With one
hour more of daylight," says Stark in his official report, " we
should have captured the whole body."
176 Bennington Centennial.
EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE.
Among the trophies of this day's victories were four brass field-
pieces, twelve brass drums, two hundred and fifty sabres, four
ammunition wagons, several hundred stand of arms, and 658 pris-
oners, and 207 were left dead on the field. The whole loss of the
enemy could not have been less than 900 men. Some of the con-
temporaneous accounts make the number still larger. Of the
prisoners, 30 of them were officers, 36 British soldiers, 398 Hessians,
38 Canadians and 155 Tories. Col. Baum was mortally wounded
and taken prisoner, as was also Col. Pfister, the, commander of the
Tory entrenchment. Both were taken about a mile to a house in
the town of Shaftsbury, which a few years ago was still standing
opposite the present paper mill of Charles E. Welling, known as
" The Baum House," in which they both died within a day or two
afterwards. The loss of the Americans in both engagements was
about 30 killed and 40 wounded.
This victory, in which undisciplined husbandmen with their
hunting guns, without bayonets, bravely stormed entrenchments
manned with regular troops and defended by cannon, is justly
styled by Bancroft as " one of the most brilliant and eventful of
the war." The loss of the enemy in men and material was severely
felt But the consequences were otherwise still more important.
By inspiring confidence on the one side and depressing the spirits
of the other, the current of success was at once turned from the
British to the American arms. The fate of Burgoyne and his army
was, in effect, sealed at Bennington, and his final capture well
assured. Gen. Washington, on being informed of the event, con-
sidered it as deciding the fate of Burgoyne, and dismissed all
anxiety about his invasion. Its effect upon the enemy was most
disheartening, Madame Riedesel, wife of the commanding general
of the German troops, who accompanied her husband through the
campaign, says in her memoirs, that by Baum's failure " the army
was prevented from advancing, while the enemy, recovering sud-
denly from depression, increased their numbers daily." Burgoyne
himself, though he struggled on for a few weeks longer, was
Battle of Bennington. 177
evidently disheartened. Four days after Baum's defeat, after pre-
paring a dispatch to the British minister for the public ear, he wrote
him another letter marked "Private," dated " Camp, near Saratoga,
August 20, 1777," in which he gave quite a gloomy account of his
affairs, treating the failure of the expedition to Bennington as his
great misfortune, in which he says of it, that " had I succeeded, I
should have formed a junction with St. Leger and been now before
Albany." After speaking disparagingly of the Tories, he says :
" The great bulk of the country is undoubtedly with the Congress,"
and of the Vermonters he bitterly adds, " The Hampshire Grants
in particular, a country unpeopled and almost unknown in the last
war, now abounds in the most active and most rebellious race of
the continent, and hangs like a gathering storm on my left."
To Gen. Stark should be assigned the highest meed of praise for
the victory. But he was nobly aided by the skill and valor of both
his officers and men, and they are all, with him, entitled to the
lasting gratitude of their country. Of his officers, Col. Warner is
undoubtedly entitled to special credit. Warner was a colonel in the
continental army, had acquired a high reputation as a military
leader by his services in Canada and at Hubbardton, and he had
long been a resident of Bennington, and was familiarly acquainted
with the ground occupied by the posts of the enemy and their
approaches. He was Stark's chief adviser in planning the attack
on the enemy ; he went into the action by his side and was his
active associate in the first engagement, as well as in repelling the
attack of Breyman's reinforcement. Dr. Thatcher, in his contem-
porary Military Journal, says : "Stark, assisted by Warner, matured
his plans for the battle ;" and Stark himself, in his letter to Gates
after speaking in the highest terms of the daring bravery of the
officers and soldiers under his command, says : " Col. Warner's
superior skill in the action was of extraordinary service to me.'
Gordon, in his history, also speaks highly of the services of Col.
Warner, and also of those of Col. Herrick of the Vermont rangers.
Other officers and men deserve notice for their meritorious exertions
in gaining the victory, but the space allowed for this article will not
permit it. There are also numerous interesting incidents connected
12
178 JBennington Centennial.
with the battle that must for the like reason be omitted. It has
been only possible to give the leading facts.
Gen. Stark, from his arrival at Manchester, acted in concert with
the Vermont Council of Safety, and received their earnest counte-
nance and support in all his movements, which were duly appreci-
ated by him, as is shown by a publication in the Connecticut
Courant, over his own signature, in which he passed on the Council
a high eulogium for their patriotic exertions and services.
When the Congress at Philadelphia was informed of Gen. Stark's
declining to move his force from Manchester to the west side of the
Hudson, as before mentioned, a resolve was passed disapproving of
it. But after the wisdom of his conduct in that respect had been
demonstrated by his victory and its fortunate effect on the cam-
paign, they came tardily to the determination to do him full justice
by approving his patriotic services and restoring him to his merited
rank in the army.
On the 4th day of October, 1777, Congress unanimously passed
the following resolution :
Resolved, that the thanks of Congress be presented to Gen. Stark
of the New Hampshire Militia, and the officers and troops under
his command, for their brave and successful attack upon, and signal
victory over the enemy in their lines at Bennington ; and that Brig-
adier Stark be appointed a Brigadier General in the army of the
United States.
Two weeks after the passage of this resolution by Congress, on
the 17th of October, the event which Stark's victory at Bennington
had clearly foreshadowed and made certain, was accomplished by
the surrender of Burgoyne and his army as prisoners of war, to the
American forces at Saratoga.
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 179
WESTMINSTER-HUBBARDTON-
WINDSOR.
Vermont celebrated, in 1877, three centennials of events
occurring in her history, viz. : Declaration of Independence at
Westminster, Tuesday, January 15; Battle of Hubbardton,
Saturday, July 7 ; and the Adoption of the Constitution at
"Windsor, Juty 8 and 9. A sketch of each celebration it has
been thought proper to embrace in this volume, in accordance
with the suggestions of the joint resolutions providing for its
publication.
WESTMINSTER.
On Tuesday evening, January 15, 1877, the people of West-
minster celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the
declaration of the independence of Vermont. The following
narrative of the original event and meeting will fully explain
the purpose of the observance.
January 15th, 1777, the convention of the inhabitants of
the New Hampshire Grants, which had held several sessions
during the year 1776, and at one of them (held at Dorset,
September 25, 1776,) had unanimously resolved " to take suit-
able measures as soon as may be to declare the New Hampshire
Grants a separate district," assembled pursuant to adjournment
in the court house at Westminster, to carry out that purpose.
At the successive meetings of the convention, some forty towns
180 Bennington Centennial.
were represented, the largest attendance at any one meeting
being fifty-six delegates, representing thirty-six towns.
The convention at Westminster sat three days. On the sec-
ond day, January 16, it voted " N C. D. that the district of
land commonly called or known by the name of the New
Hampshire Grants be a new and separate State, and for the
future conduct themselves as such." The third day, January
17, 1777, the convention adopted the report of a committee,
consisting of Nathan Clark, Ebenezer Hoizington, Captain
John Burnham, Jacob Burton and Colonel Thomas Chittenden,
appointed " to prepare a draught for a declaration for a new
and separate state." The report ended as follows :
Considering that a just right exists in this people to adopt meas-
ures for their own security, not only to enable them to secure their
rights against the usurpation of Great Britain, but also against that
of New York and the several other governments claiming juris-
diction of this territory, we do offer the following
DECLARATION OP INDEPENDENCE.
This convention, whose members are duly chosen by the free
voice of their constituents in the several towns on the New Hamp-
shire Grants, in public meeting assembled, in our own names, and in
behalf of our constituents, do hereby proclaim and declare that the
district of territory comprehending and usually known by the name
and description of the New Hampshire Grants, of right ought to
be, and is hereby declared forever hereafter to be considered as a
separate, iree and independent jurisdiction or state, by the name
and forever hereafter to be called, known and distinguished by the
name of New Connecticut. And that the inhabitants that at pres-
ent are or that hereafter may become resident either by procreation
or emigration, within said territory, shall be entitled to the same
privileges, immunities and enfranchisements as are allowed, and on
such condition and in the same manner as the present inhabitants
in future shall or may enjoy ; which are and forever shall be con-
sidered to be such privileges and immunities to the free citizens and
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 181
denizens, as are, or at any time hereafter, may be allowed to any
such inhabitants of any of the free and independent states of
America, and that such privileges and immunites shall be regulated
in a bill of rights, and by a form of government to be established
at the next adjourned session of the convention.
The convention voted to accept this declaration, and " that
the declaration of New Connecticut be inserted in the news-
papers."
" The newspapers," was the Connecticut Courant, in which
the declaration appeared March 16, 1777.
The declaration as " prepared for the press " by a committee
appointed for the purpose, differed materially from the decla-
ration as adopted in convention, and was as follows :
THE REVISED DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
In Convention of the Representatives from the several counties
and towns of the New Hampshire Grants, holden at Westminster,
January 15, 1777, by adjournment.
WHEREAS, The Honourable the Continental Congress did, on the
4th day of July last, declare the United Colonies in America to be
free and independent of the Crown of Great Britain ; which decla-
ration we most cordially acquiesce in : and whereas, by the said
declaration the arbitrary acts of the Crown are null and void, in
America, consequently the jurisdiction by said Crown granted to
New York governments over the people of the New Hampshire
Grants is totally dissolved :
We therefore, the inhabitants, on said tract of land, are at pres-
ent without law or government, and may be truly said to be in a
state of nature ; consequently a right remains to the people of said
Grants to form a government best suited to secure their prosperity,
well being and happiness. We, the delegates from the several
counties and towns on said tract of land, bounded as follows :
aouth on the north line of Massachusetts Bay ; east on Connecticut
182 Bennington Centennial.
river ; north on Canada line ; West as far as the New Hampshire
Grants extend.
After several adjournments for the purpose of forming oui selves
into a distinct separate state, being assembled at Westminster, do
make and publish the following Declaration, viz. :
"That we will, at all times hereafter, consider ourselves as a free
and independent state, capable of regulating our internal police, in
all and every respect whatsoever, and that the people on said Grants
have the sole and exclusive and inherent right of ruling and gov-
erning themselves in such manner and form as in their own wisdom
they shall think proper, not inconsistent or repugnant to any
resolve of the Honourable Continental Congress.
" Furthermore, we declare by all the ties which are held sacred
among men, that we will firmly stand by and support one another
in this our declaration of a state, and endeavoring as much as in us
lies, to suppress all unlawful routs and disturbances whatever. Also
we will endeavor to secure to every individual his life, peace and
property against all unlawful iuvadei's of the same.
" Lastly, we hereby declare, that we are at all times ready, in
conjunction with our brethren of the United States of America, to
do our full proportion in maintaining and supporting the just war
against the tyranical invasions of the ministerial fleet and armies, as
well as any other foreign enemies, seut with express purpose to
murder our fellow brethren, and with fire and sword to ravage our
defenseless country.
" The said state hereafter to be called by the name of New Con-
necticut."
Extract from minutes,
IRA ALLEN, Clerk.
The change of name to Vermont and the drafting and adop-
tion of a constitution for the new state took place at Windsor,
in June and July following.
The centennial services were held at the Congregational
church before a crowded audience. The room was beautifully
Westminster Hulbardton Windsor. 183
decorated, including the various mottoes, " Yermont 1777
1877 " Freedom and Unity ;" " In God we Trust." Rev
Pliny F. Barnard presided. The programme was substantially
as follows :
Prayer by Alfred Stevens, D. D., of the west parish of
Westminster.
Music by Westminster Cornet Band.
Reading of the Proceedings of the Convention and the
Declaration of Independence, by J. B. Morse, Esq., a direct
descendant of one of the signers.
Hon. Henry Clark of Rutland, delivered the centennial
address, giving the condition of affairs in the state at that period,
a sketch of the convention and its members, and the adoption
of the constitution at Windsor ; and closing with a review of
the progress of Yermont for the past century, and its notable
citizens and sons who had acted conspicuous parts in the homes
of their adoption in other states and communities.
Letters were read from His Excellency Horace Fairbanks,
governor of the state, and Hon. E. P. Walton, president of
the Yermont Historical Society. Brief addresses were made
by Rev. Alfred Stevens, D. D., and R. S. Safford, who gave
an interesting statement of the present localities in Westmin-
ster, and the notable persons by whom they were occupied a
hundred years ago. The exercises were closed with the bene-
diction by Rev. Dr. Stevens.
It was a fitting celebration, and creditable to the patriotic
people of Westminster.
184 Bennington Centennial.
HUBBARDTON.
The battle of Hubbardton, although not taking high rank
among the battles of the world, yet the brave and determined
resistance of Seth Warner and his men in that bloody engage-
ment made to the overwhelming force of the enemy, reflect on
them credit and honor. Therefore early arrangements were
made by the citizens of Hubbardton and Western Vermont,
for an appropriate observance of its one hundredth anniver-
sary on Saturday, July 7, 1877. On that day more than six
thousand people assembled on the battle-ground, to participate
in the commemorative services.
At four o'clock A. M., a salute of thirteen guns, for the orig-
inal states, and one for Vermont, was fired. At nine o'clock
A. M., the people assembled around the Battle Monument,
which was dedicated on the eighty-first anniversary of the
battle, July 7, 1858. At ten and one-half o'clock, the proces-
eion was formed and moved to the grove at the foot of an
elevation named by Ethan Allen Mt. Zion.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
1. Col. Pitt W. Hyde, Chief Marshal ; Col. Robert R. Drake,
John G. Pitkin, and Fred A. Field, Assistant Marshals.
2. Brandon Cornet Band.
8. Rutland Light Guards,
4. Carriages with the President of the Day, Orator and invited
guests.
5. Vice-Presidents and other Officers of the Day.
6. Pittsford Cornet Band.
7. Sprague Guards of Brandon.
8. Citizens on foot.
9. Citizens in carriages.
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 185
At the stand, erected in the middle of a beautiful grove, the
exercises of the day took place in the following order :
1. Invocation by Rev. John M. Thyng, of the Congregational
church.
2. Music by the Brandon Cornet Band.
3. Address by Cyrus Jennings, Esq., President of the Day :
fellow Citizens :
It gives me great pleasure to extend you a hearty welcome. We
welcome you one and all to a sacred spot on the soil of Vermont.
The engagement that took place here is worthy of commemoration
by every Vermonter and every American citizen. And when I see
the vast multitude before me, it manifests the feeling which this
occasion has excited. We are assembled to commemorate the one
hundredth anniversary of the battle of Hubbardtou, and to do
honor to its patriotic dead. It was one hundred years ago this
morning, upon yonder hill, that our fathers gave up their lives.
Father and son fought side by side for the rights which we to-day
enjoy. May their memories be perpetuated for all time, as long as
the earth shall make its annual revolutions. And let us, their pos-
terity, thank Almighty God that these rights which were so dearly
bought, have been kept, and are to day enjoyed by forty millions
of free American people.
4. Prayer by Rev. Zebulon Jones of the Baptist church.
5. Music by the Pittsford Cornet Band.
6. Historical Address by Hon. Henry Clark of Rutland.
7. Music by the Brandon Cornet Band.
COLLATION.
At the close of the exercises at the stand, the officers, invited
guests, military companies, bands and people were invited to
partake of a collation, prepared by the people of Hubbardton-
Grace was said at the table occupied by the military compa-
nies, by Rev. Daniel C. Roberts of the Episcopal church,
Brandon, and over the tables of the officers and invited guests ,
by Rev. M. L. Severance of Orwell.
186 Jlennington Centennial.
AFTER DINNER EXERCISES.
The dinner over, the people assembled at the platform,
where the remaining exercises of the day took place. Letters
were read from ex-governor Hiland Hall of Bennington,
ex governor Ryland Fletcher of Proctors ville, and Col. Ran-
som M. Gould, president of the sons and daughters of Vermont
resident at Worcester, Mass. A poem written for the occasion
by H. B. Spafford, the historian of Clarendon, was also read-
Brief and pertinent speeches were made by Isaac N. Churchill,
Esq., of Hampton, N. Y. (a grandson of Samuel Churchill, a
participant in the battle), Rev. Daniel C. Roberts of Brandon,
Hon. Walter C. Dunton of Rutland, A. P. Childs, Esq., of
Bennington, L. William Redington, Esq., of Rutland, Prof.
William F. Bascom of Washington, D. C., and Col. Redfield
Proctor of Rutland. Joseph Joslin, Esq., of Poultney, intro-
duced a resolution of thanks to all who had taken a prominent
part in the exercises of the day, which was most heartily
endorsed by the thousands present. At the close of these ser-
vices, a sham representation of the battle was given by the
military companies present, the Sprague Guards of Brandon,
taking the part of the British, and the Rutland Light Guards,
that of Seth Warner and his men. This proved an interesting
close to the ceremonies of the day.
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 187
WINDSOR.
Services were held at Windsor, on Sunday, July 8th, and
Monday, July 9th, 1877, commemorative of the adoption of
the name and the constitution of Vermont. The 8th was the
actual day of the adoption of the constitution. On that occa-
sion Rev. Aaron Hutchinson preached a sermon before the
convention, and in recognition of that event, it was deemed fit
that religious services and a Christian and patriotic discourse
should open the commemorative exercises. A large tent was
erected on the common for the assemblages. At half-past ten
A. M., the bell of the old South church, the oldest building in
town and nearest to the only meeting house in the village a
hundred years ago, was rung. Some fifteen hundred people
assembled within the tent to listen to the exercises. Upon the
platform were His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, governor of
the state, with a part of his staff, Col. A. C. Hubbell of Ben-
nington, and Col. Julius J. Estey of Brattleboro, Hon. Luke
P. Poland of St. Johnsbury, Hon. Edwin H. Stoughton, Hon.
Jason Steele of Windsor, Prof. C. A. Young of Dartmouth
College, Dr. C. A. Crosby of new York and others. The
following was the
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Music by the choir, nnder the direction of Mr. E. P. Phil-
lips of St. Albans.
Invocation of the Divine Blessing, and the Lord's Prayer,
repeated by the congregation in concert, and reading of the
eighth chapter of Deuteronomy, by Rev. Thomas J. Taylor of
the Episcopal church.
Prayer by Rev. William M. Mick of the Baptist church.
Singing by the choir, " God is Love."
188 Bennington Centennial.
Rev. Calvin B. Hulbert, D. D., president of Middlebury
College then delivered the following Christian and patriotic
DISCOURSE.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen ;
Patriotism is a virtue. In the ancient Jewish state it was enforced
as an obligation. It was love of country, i-aised to a religious
principle, that caused the Psalmist to exclaim, " If I forget thee, O
Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning ; if I do not
remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth : if
I prefer not Jei'usalem above my chief joy."
Nor can it be accounted an irreverence to say that our Lord himself
was influenced by the patriotic sentiment. He was a Jew ; and He
must have felt a sense of personal dishonor in the odium that had
accumulated upon His nation in its wasting and melancholy decline.
He was " the man Christ Jesus ;" and a patriotic, as well as a
divine, emotion must have stirred His heart in the pathetic
cry, " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and
stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chick-
ens under her wings, and ye would not I"
In apostolic history, a form of Christian life was enjoined
everywhere so comprehensive as to embrace the well-being and pros-
perity of the state. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher pow-
ers. For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are
ordained of God. * * * For rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to the evil. * Wherefore ye
must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience's
sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also. * * * Ren-
der therefore to all their dues ; tribute to whom tribute is due ;
custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear ; honor to whom
honor."
Loyalty is a part of piety. No citizen can discharge his duties
to God without fulfilling, as involved in them, his obligations
to the state. Politics and ethics, patriotism and religion, have an
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 189
associated and interdependent existence. The question is some,
times raised, whether human government is of divine origin and
sanction. The reply is easy. It is as divine as anything which
God has created and ordained to exist. It is as divine as the Con-
necticut River, or the Green Mountains : it is as divine as man's
nature, as human society, as the social instinct, as commercial inter-
dependence. It is no more a device of man than is the constitution
of his being. For God to create man as he is, is for Him to create
the necessity of organized society and of government. In furtherance
of His personal rights and interests, God has made every man to
be a part of a great whole. He belongs to a system. No choice
of his own, no social caste, no civil distinctions, can detach him
from it. Linked with the world around him by the law of his
nature and the decree of his God, every plan of isolation is
abortive. On the principle that the less is comprehended in the
greater, we may say, without peril of perverting the Apostle's
utterance, that, as related to the civil state, no man liveth to him-
self and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live
unto the state ; and whether we die we die unto the state ; whether
we live therefore, or die, we are the state's.
Holding, then, that the religion of Christianity comprehends in
its beneficent reign in the earth not only all religious and moral,
but as well, all political interests that politics, properly defined,
cannot be divorced from religion or religion from politics 1 have
accepted your courteous invitation to give on this commemoration
of the Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of the State and of the
Adoption of the Constitution, what you have been pleased to
denominate " a Christian and patriotic discourse." We are agreed
that there need be no schism in a discourse characterized by these
terms ; and that the whole may be in harmony with the sanctity
of the day on which we are assembled.
Nor is this a novel position we take in charging the Pulpit with
obligation of service to the state. We only assert a principle which we
have received as a lawful inheritance from the fathers. It had its ori-
gin in English soil. It came across the sea in the May-Flower. It
weated the atmosphere in whichjwe first lived and moved and had
190 JB#nnington Centennial.
our being. One hundred, years ago, this village, hardly matured
beyond the rude beginnings of a frontier settlement, was honored
with what has become an historic glory as the seat of the Convention
that gave birth to the State organized in a Constitution. On that
occasion the Pulpit, true to its mission, made itself a partner in
that elemental strife through which both the state and the country
were passing. For a text it seized with an almost divine felicity
upon the Golden Rule ; and with great clearness and force, and
with direct application to the times, enunciated that fundamental
doctrine of a biblical theology the universal brotherhood of the
race.
It is a happy circumstance and suggestive of the wisdom of
the preacher that a sermon should have been given on that occasion
upon a text which is itself a divine compendium beyond any other
inspired passage, of all social and civil rights ; and which contains
principles of equality and humanity deeper and broader than can
be found in any human digest of political principles. It has
in it none of the pomp and circumstance of a human declaration of
rights. It has never been called a glittering generality. Though
>an orb of light, only a few of its rays were permitted to gleam on
its surface. They who first heard it spoken on the Mount of Beat-
itudes, did not discover its repudiation of the arrogant claims of
kings and chieftains. It was among the collateral, but inevitable,
results of our Lord's teachings in this text, as in others, that He
made His hearers appreciate their manhood. By degrees He
removed the disguise in which kingly misrule had plied its arts ;
one by one He exhumed the buried and down-trodden rights of
man. "Be not deceived" this injunction was included in the
spirit of the Redeemer's instructions " ye are men ; your origin
is God ; your nature is divine ; your destiny is eternity ; having in
you the powers of an endless life, they take hold upon the powers
of the world to come ; your first allegiance is to the King of
Kings ; your second to the human magistrate." Thus speaking,
our Lord rolled an immense burden upon the individual conscience,
and awakened in man a sense of the worth and dignity of his
personal being. To tell men, all men the masses the common
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 191
people who heard Him gladly, valued by their rulers heretofore
for their brawn and muscle, that the personal rights which they
accord to others, they may claim to themselves, was to evoke in the
individual soul a consciousness of personal worth which was des-
tined ultimately to startle and upheave the nations like the throes
of an earthquake, and to impel them forward in the direction of
republican simplicity in government with the energy of a storm-
driven sea.
Such now is the import and the comprehensive range of the
text, employed hore a hundred years ago ; and the sermon preached
from it, disclosed eighteen centuries of growth of the human mind
in its study upon it. We meet to-day not to repudiate but to
accept the Golden Rule as thus expounded. Stirred by the senti-
ments of patriotism enkindled by our National Centennial, yet fiesh
in our memories, we gather here on historic ground, amidst these
tranquil scenes and proud memories, to reassert reverently its
principle as the basal rock on which has towered for the century
the superstructure of our Commonwealth.
In casting about for a text fitted to express the thoughts that
crowd upon our minds, a text which will link us into closer fellow-
ship with the noble men and women, who laid the foundations of
empire among these hills, while at the same time it imposes on us
the obligation to enter into their labors and prosecute their enter-
prise, I could find none more suited to my purpose than two
passages, which, without violence, can be read as one :
Ezra v : 11, and I Chronicles xxii : 5. " We are the servants of the God of
Heaven and earth, and build the house which was builded these many ycar^ago :"
41 and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnificat
of fame and of glory throughout all countries,"
The first of these passages contains the manly words of Ezra
and his associates in answer to the carping criticisms of the
Samaritans who laughed them to scorn for their attempt to
rebuild their ancestral temple, then lying in ruins. The second
discloses King David's conception of the temple when it should
stand forth in all the glory of a consummate art, "exceeding
magnifical, of iarae and of glory throughout all countries."
192 Sennington Centennial.
I. It will best serve my purpose to call your attention at the outset
to the origin and service of the literal house spoken of in the
text. You are not unfamiliar with the Scripture narrative. Insti-
gated by the Arch-Enemy of man, King David numbered the
people. This he did without the divine warrant ; it is supposed
in the spirit of national pride, possibly with a view to military
conquest. " And God was displeased with this thing," and He gave
to the king his choice, a three years' famine, a three months' con-
quest over Israel by the enemy, or a three days' pestilence under
the direction of an angel of the Lord destroying throughout all
the coasts of Israel. David chose the last as being more directly
connected with God as its agent. The pestilence came. Seventy
thousand fell, leaving as yet the inhabitants of Jerusalem measura-
bly unscathed. At this juncture the destroying angel took his
place in mid-heaven over Jerusalem. "And David lifted up his
eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and
the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over
the city. Then David and the elders of Israel, clothed in sack-
cloth, Jell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I
that commanded the people to be numbered ? Even I it is that
have sinned and done evil indeed]; but as for these sheep, what
have they done f Let Thy hand I pray Thee, O Lord, my God, be
on me and on my father's house, but not on Thy people, that they
should be plagued." " Then the angel of the Lord commanded
Gad to say to David, that David should go up and set up an altar
unto the Lord in the threshing-floor of Oman the Jebusite."
Instantly obeying, David with the elders of Israel, left the royal
palace. Though having ground enough on his own premises, he
was required to go some distance from his residence, down the
mount, through the city embraced in the intervening valley, and
beyond what were then the city limits, and up Mount Moriah, to
erect an altar in a locality which he was required to purchase, but
which years before had been consecrated by Abraham's faith and
the angel's interference. This mount, overlooking the city entire,
was owned and occupied by Oman, a rich husbandman, an aborig-
inal inhabitant of tiio land. The summit of the mount was a
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 193
remarkable rock, irregular in outline but of level surface by natural
conformation, containing some two thousand square feet, the rock
ou which Abraham built his altar, aud which possibly constituted
the ground-floor of the Holy of Holies in the temple which after-
wards rose on the spot. This rock was used at this time by its
owner as a threshing-floor.
Just before the arrival of the king, Oman, engaged with his four
sons in threshing, had discovered in the heavens the destroying
angel with sword drawn, and with his sons, had sought in dismay a
hiding place. On the approach of the king, however, he came out
and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. " Grant
me," said D.wid, " the place of this threshing-floor that I may
build an altar therein unto the Lord that the plague may be stayed
from the people." Oman promptly complied, and with a view to
stay the pestilence with the least possible delay, proposed to the
king to take, without compensation, the oxen at hand for sacrifice,
the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat on the floor for
a meat-offering. Though every moment's delay extends the rav-
ages of the pestilence, David pauses to protest against receiving all
this as a gift. " Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price, for
I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt
offerings that cost me nothing." Oman receives the money and
the whole estate passes into the hands of David. The king
now hastens to build an altar unto the Lord and to place his
offerings upon it. This done, he calls upon the name of the Lord
in prayer and supplication. " Then the Lord answered him from
heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering." " And God said
to the angel that destroyed, it is enough : stay thou thine hand."
" And the angel put up his sword again into the sheath thereof."
Then was the pestilence stayed. " When David saw that the Lord
had ansioered him in the threshing-floor of Oman the Jebusite,
then he sacrificed there and said, THIS is THE HOUSE OP Goi>
AND THIS IS THE ALTAR OF BURNT-OFFERING FOR ISRAEL."
By the divine command to seek that mountain summit, by the
gift of fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, by the swoi'd
of the angel sheathed and the pestilence stayed possibly by
IS
194 Bennington Centennial.
other intimations King David settled into the conviction that
God had expressed His pleasure that the national temple, soon to
be erected to His glory, should stand on that twice consecrated
spot. Keep in mind that the tabernacle which Moses built,
and which had ti'aversed the wilderness, was at this date in
the high place at Gibeon. But after what had taken place in
the threshing-floor, David, "could not go before it to inquire
of God ; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of
the Lord ;" which must mean that he either feared the judgments
of the avenging angel, if he went beyond the protective influences
of his newly erected altar ; or that he accounted it morally unfit to
go to Gibeon after God had so expressly designated Mount Moriah
as the place for him to inquire and to worship. Be the occasion of
his fear what it may have been, it is obvious that he understood
from what had occurred that God had designated the location of
the national temple ; and in a place that gave it a peculiar conse-
cration by virtue of the old altars which it was made to enclose.
The altar of sacrifice, erected as many suppose at God's appoint-
ment upon the apostacy of the race, in the incense of whose savory
offerings the supplications and praises ot His people ascended to
Him, had long been the leading idea of all worship, and of all
places of worship. Therefore it was fittingly made the procuring
cause, the constructive idea and the essential glory of the national
temple. Not the edifice then, but the altar in the edifice and the
sacrifices offered upon it in the devout and holy worship of the
assembly, were the things of chiefest interest. It is the altar
that sanctifieth the gift ; and the temple, itself a gift to God, was
sanctified by the altar which it enclosed and upon which it was
virtually laid as a sacrifice. Now I call you to witness that the
service which David's altar rendered in sheathing the sword of the
avenging angel and in staying the pestilence, is the identical service
which the temple, embodying that altar, was to render in defense
of the Jewish nation through the succeeding ages. The worship
of Jehovah in the place of His habitation was the appointed means
of protecting the nation against assaulting angels and desolating
udgments. It threw as it were the ponderous walls of the temple
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 195
around the nation and included it entire within the impregnable
fortress of God's protective favor. When the Psalmist called upon
the people to walk about Zion, and go round about her ; tell the
towers thereof ; mark well her bulwarks ; consider her palaces ;
that they might tell it to the generation following, he had reference
Hot so much to the impregnability of the temple as to the defensive
power of that system of religious faith and practice expressed in
it, and which, warping through the nation, gave to it its unity of
life, and thus enclosed it within battlements and ramparts which
no assaults from without could disturb. In Solomon's prayer of
dedication we can see to what national uses the worship of the
sanctuary was to be applied. If Israel, because of their sin, should
be put to the worse before the enemy ; if for the same reason the
heavens should be shut up and there be no rain, and dearth prevail
in the land ; if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew
or locusts, or whatsoever sore or sickness there be, the only hope
of alleviation and prosperity must be sought for in prayer and sup-
plication in the sanctuary. The national temple, thus devoted to
penitential and reverent service, was the national bulwark and
defense. And it is histoiically true, that so long as the worship of
the temple continued unbroken, and was the resort of the people
in times of calamity and peril, the nation retained her integrity.
When at length the temple worship declined into a formal service ;
when the people lost their interest in it ; when religiously they
became disintegrated, and finally established places of rival wor-
ship, then not one, but a multitude of destroying angels appeared
in the heavens with swords drawn and for a prolonged period, and
judgment succeeded to judgment till the nation once embraced in
an impregnable security was delivei'ed over to the most appalling
catastrophe that ever befell a people.
Such now is the house spoken of in the text ; and such its origin
and use. " We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth,
and build the house that was builded these many years ago."
Exulting in the honor of entering into the labors of the original
builders as though continuing their work, they sought to reproduce
a temple, which, in its pristine splendor was acknowledged to have
196 JB*nningtQn Centennial.
been " exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all
countries," a temple which, rebuilt, should give to the nation
again restored from a wasting captivity, the protection of the
overshadowing wings of the Almighty.
II. Let me now remind you that this house which was builded
these many years ago, and which commanded a universal admiration,
has been uniformly conceived of by biblical scholars as a type. It did
not exist for its own sake. It was a prophecy in stone. It was
destined to wax old and vanish away. Coming together on the
Mount without the sound of either hammer or axe or any tool
of iron, it has been interpreted as shadowing forth the silence and
the completeness with which the spiritual structure of the Christian
church has ascended.
And consider that this spiritual house, like its type, finds its
procuring cause and constructive idea in the altar of sacrifice
which was laid as its foundation. It is the old Jewish altar
advanced to a higher dignity by the kind of offering sacrificed upon it.
Now it is the Lamb of God on the altar of the Cross. When we see the
Sword of Justice, which, in the heavens above Mount Sinai, awoke
against the Shepherd Whom God calls His fellow, satisfied in the
Lamb slain on the Cross, and returned to its sheath, then we follow
the example of David and sacrifice upon the same altar in the gift
of ourselves and all that we have, and exclaim, " THIS is THE HOUSE
OF GOD AND THIS IS THE ALTAR OF BUKNT-OFFERING FOR ISRAEL."
What the tabernacle and the temple were successively, to God's ancient
people, such is the Person of the Son of David to all who receive Him
as the Incarnate Word. The Logos that dwelt in and irradiated the
Son of Man, is the Shekinah of the temple. First the original pat-
tern given to Moses in the Mount that had burned with fire, then the
pilgrim tabernacle of the wilderness, finally the temple fixed and
resident on Mount Zion, these were the types ; the Word made
flesh and tabernacled among us, the temple of His body destroyed,
raised the third day and vanishing from our sight, then the temple
of the Christian Church the Redeemer's other Self, His bride, His
spiritual body in a sense the incarnation of the Spirit a temple
rising neither in Jerusalem nor yet at Gerizim, but anywhere in
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 197
the earth where the Christian assembly meets for worship, these
ai'e the antitypes.
God laid in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, precious,
elect, chief corner. To command our confidence it was visibly cut
out of the mountains without hands out of Mount Sinai and Mount
Moriah, out of the Mount of Beatitudes and of the Transfigura-
tion, out of Mount Calvaiy and the Mount of Ascension. This
stone is the old rock of the wilderness which followed Israel and
quenched their thirst, and which rock was Christ. It is the Rock
in which Isi'ael triumphed ; " their rock is not as our Rock, our
enemies themselves being judges," but which they themselves after-
wards repudiated as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.
It is the stone of infinite magnetic attraction, and that promised, if
lifted up, to draw all men unto it, and by assimilating them to it to
increase until it should fill the whole world. Thus the mystic tem-
ple of the Christian church is built upon a foundation-Stone and
of stones. "To whom coming as unto a living Stone, ye also as
living stones are built up a spiritual house." While Caesar's array
was battering down and removing the very foundations of the
ancestral temple, the Christian church, its antitype, under the
supervision of " a greater than Solomon," was going up throughout
the apostolic world in the labor of builders who wrought noise-.
lessly in the use of weapons not carnal but spiritual, and mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Its members
" having access by one Spirit unto the Father, are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God ; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief-Corner Stone;
in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an
holy temple in the Lord." From that day to this, out of the very
stones of the desert God has been raising up children unto Abra-
ham, ''for they that are of faith are Abraham's seed and heirs accord-
ing to the promise." Imbedded in nature's quarry, or sunk in the hole
of the pit, or scattered on the heath, these living stones are drawn
together by influences sweeter than those of the Pleiades and by
bands mightier than Orion's. As stones living, that is, instinct
198 Bennington Centennial.
with the very life of the Divine Magnet, and polished after the
similitude of a palace, and gleaming with inward and reflected
light, they congregate upon the Foundation; and by the architectural
instinct of the life that pulsates therefrom, they take their appro-
priate places in the structure, and are builded together a living
temple wherein God dwells, and which forever resounds His praise-
Their relation to the Chief-Corner Stone is such that they are des-
tined to be changed into the same image from glory to glory, until
the house of God which is the Ecclesia of the living God glows
and irradiates throughout its entire extent and to its utmost turret
and pinnacle with the beauty of Him who is loved arid adored as
the King of Glory.*
From this it appears that the house spoken of in the text includes
very much more than the temple that was going up at Jerusalem.
The Jews were building better than they knew. Under its imagery
and in the light of the Christian dispensation we see rising the
spiritual structure of God's Kingdom of Grace in the earth. In
the fullness of time the Jewish commonwealth, having fulfilled its
course and accomplished its mission, evolved from within itself as
the envelop, a more spiritual and therefore a more simple and uni-
versal religion, a religion which disclosing the power of the Spirit,
shall possess " a matchless inherent energy which space cannot con-
fine, which time cannot exhaust." Teaching a more advanced and
therefore a more truth ful^ doctrine concerning the nature and gov-
ernment of God, the new faith forbade the confinement of worship
to the old centers. It consecrated all localities. " Neither in this
mountain nor yet at Jerusalem." Would you worship the Father,
you must do it not here nor there, but in spirit and in truth. The
house of God which is the ecclesia the worshipping assembly
becomes thus multitudinous and cosmopolitan. There is a tendency
in human minds to worship God in the sanctuary ; but not because
He is in the material structure in distinction from any other place,
or in exclusion of Him from any other place, or in any more of
His essential glory than He wears in all places. His omnipresence
*I Peter ii : 46. Lillie in loco.
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 199
and infinitude forbid it. He is always present at every point and
in all His entireness. He will receive a spiritual service offered to
Him in one place as soon as another. Wherever a soul cries unto
Him in the midst of what dai'kness or loneliness soever of for-
est, or dungeon, or sick chamber, God is prompt to hear. The
wandering traveler cannot spread his tent at night, the shipwrecked
mariner cannot drift on his floating spar, the wounded soldier can-
not creep to a thicket, where God is not, and where His ear is not
open to the voice of his supplication. No walls and arches can be
piled so high, no ornaments can be clustered upon them so sump-
tuously, no majesty of proportions, no carefulness of detail, no
solemnity of consecration, can so set apart one building as to retain
within it Him who filleth immensity.* God dwells not in houses'
made with hands but in the congregations of His saints who wor-
ship Him in spirit and in truth. "Ye are the Temple of God ;**
not beams and pillars and rafters adjusted, but souls knit together
in love and adoring worship. It matters not where such worship-
pers meet, whether " in Grecian temples or Indian pagodas ; in
barbarian amphitheatres or Turkish mosques or medieval cathe-
drals ; in Puritan conventicles or Quaker meeting-houses or floating
bethels or barns, or lumber-rooms or log huts ;" whether on the sea-
shore, the open prairie or within the leafy avenues of the forest ;
anywhere where God's people meet for His worship, there God is,
for they are His temple. " Ye who are Mine, and who meet for
My worship in one place and with one accord, ye are My House ;
and I will be with you and dwell in you ; and My spirit of light
and of love, shed abroad in your hearts, that shall be the perpetual
Shekinah."
III. These worshipping assemblies, multiplied abroad in the
earth, centers of light irradiating its darkness, offering unto God
evermore a penitential and reverent service one in spirit with
the offerings made by King David in the threshing-floor of
Oman the Jebusite, are the appointed conditions on which God
* A few passages are here recalled from a sermon by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, l>.
D., at the deeication of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York.
200 Bennington Centennial.
commands His destroying angel to return his sword to the sheath
thereof, and stay the swift avengers of His justice. What David's
altar was in returning the sword of vengeance to its scabbard and
arresting the footsteps of the desolating pestilence ; what the
temple was in after years, on that same spot, as a protection
and defense to the nation in its varying fortunes, such are the
worshipping assemblies in every Christian state, in staying the
progress of divine judgments, and in multiplying the peace and
prosperity of its people. Let Christian worship cease, let Sabbath
congregations disperse and assemble no more, and how soon would
a land, whose blooming luxuriance now gives forth the savor as of a
field which the Lord hath blessed, be transformed into an Acel-
dama ! Blessed the day to the inhabitants of earth, when angels
with swords drawn and destroying in all its coasts, shall hear the
divine mandate, " It is enough ; stay ye your hands." But of this
we may be assured, that such a reprieve will never be granted and
avenging swords be returned to their sheaths, until the sons of men,
in the worship of the sanctuary, shall receive the proclamation of
that other angel, extraordinary and plenipotentiary from the court of
heaven, seen in apocalyptic vision, " flying in the midst of heaven,
having an everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Such now is the spiritual house which God's people are building
in these last days. If interrogated now as of old as to what they
are doing, they will respond, *' We are the servants of the God
of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these
many years ago, and the house to be builded for the Lord must be
exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory thi-oughout all countries."
Nor is this a small house which they are building, and of few
apartments. It is large and ecumenically expansive. It is our
Father's house and there are many mansions in it, equal in number
to all the detachments in the sacramental host of His elect. If
it were not so, our Redeemer would have told us, and forbidden this
multiform aspect of His visible kingdom. He would have said
here and not there, this and not that. Imposing on all His people
the one universal bond of perfectness which is charity, He has
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 201
given them, as having entered it by the door, the liberty of His
house, to go in and out and find pasture.
IV. This line of thought prepares me to say that we cannot
contemplate to-day, in these memorial services, the religious history
of our state, except as we consider it as a part of this universal whole
of God's kingdom of grace among men. It is constituted of the
overflow and out-propagating stock of this kingdom. It belongs
in the succession of the Redeemer's triumphs of grace in the earth.
The men and women who found their way into these northern
parts were of the Pilgrim type. They brought with them the ances-
tral faith, the moral ideas and traditions and usages of the religious
communities in which they were born and nurtured. By a law as
inevitable as gravity, they adhered to the conditions of the Christian
home the family Bible, the family altar, and " their hymns of lofty
cheer." They came not to escape, but to bear religious responsi-
bility ; therefore they came sustained by the prayers and sympathies
and benefactions of the Christian communities they left behind. Thus
they were handfuls of corn on the tops of these mountains, and the fruit
thereof has shaken like Lebanon. Endued with power from above,
they were the elements of a Christian empire. They came hither
not more to build houses for themselves and their little ones, than
to erect upon enduring foundations among these hills the super-
structure of the Lord's house. In the main they were entrenched
in the stronghold of a biblical theology and disclosed in their
characters, the virtues and excellencies of the Christian faith. They
believed in God, and in the communion of saints in His worship
in the home and'iu the sanctuary. Hence we find scattered among
the new settlements, in what were called the New Hampshire
Grants, prior to July, 1777, eighteen organized churches. Ot
these fourteen belonged to the Congregational order, and were
located respectively in Bennington, Newbury, Westminster, Guil-
ford, Porafret, Brattleboro, Thetford, Rutland, Chester, Fayetteville,
Weathersfield, Putney, Marlboro and Royalton. The remaining four
gathered at that early date, were Baptist churches, and were located
one in Shaftsbury , one in Pownal and two in Guilford. These eighteen
churches, you will observe, were organized within the limits of
202 Bennington Centennial.
five of our now existing counties, to wit : Bennington, Orange, Rut
land, Windham and Windsor. From this it appears that at the date
of the state's organization, no churches had been formed in the terri
tory embraced afterwards in the nine remaining counties. What the
aggregate membership of these eighteen churches then was, we are not
informed. Nor have we any means of learning the number of Chris-
tian people in the state at this time not gathered into churches, or the
number of clergymen laboring among them. Of this, however, we
may be confident, that there was pervading the rapidly growing com-
munities of the state on either side of the mountains, great religious
wakefulness. The cardinal doctrines of Christian theology and
experimental piety were everywhere studied and discussed. The
controversy was heated and prolonged. Calvin and Edwards and
Hopkins and Bellamy were household words. Baxter and Bunyan
and Watts were as needful as the daily sunrise. The old religious
creeds and ponderous theological treatises constituted a part of the
furnishing in every home. Missionary societies in Massachusetts and
Connecticut contributed much towards grounding the state in the
Christian faith. Better than earthly treasures, they equipped and
sent forth into these new settlements a large number of educated
ministers of a devout and heroic mold, who, following the apostolic
example, went everywhere preaching the word, looking after the
sheep scattered in the forests and among the hills, and organizing
them into churches. What had been accomplished by these labors
prior to the state's organization, cannot be measured by the simple fact
that at that date eighteen churches had been established. Seed-corn
had been sown broadcast everywhere among the . settlements and
was springing into harvest. So that we find that before the close
of that century within twenty-three years there were added to
the number of the eighteen original churches, one hundred and
one. Of these, sixty were of the Congregational faith ; thirty-five
counting only to 1790 were of the Baptist order; three were
Methodist churches, not counting the Vergennes and Essex mis-
sionary circuits ; two were Episcopal ; and one was a Free-Will
Baptist church. This gives us one hundred and nineteen organized
Christian churches hi the state at the beginning of the present
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 203
century. It cannot but awaken our admiration and our gratitude,
to mark the rapidity with which the state was settled, and| the
eagerness with which Christians labored to infuse into it the leaven
of inspired truth and to give it a high moral and religious character.
V. Though no part of the history of this commonwealth is more
interesting, still I cannot call your attention beyond a brief moment
to the extent of the service rendered to the state by the ministry
and the churches during this elemental and formative period. But
this much I hasten to affirm, that from them issued the chief
organizing and constructive forces in the state. They everywhere
insisted upon the credibility and divine authority of the Scriptures ;
the personal agency of God in the natural and moral government
of the world ; the worth of prayer as a divinely established organ
for human use in securing beneficent ends ; the natural depravity
of the human heart and the necessity of its regeneration ; the
sufficiency of the atonement to meet the sinner's wants ; the
irreparable loss of the soul rejecting the atonement through this
life ; the observance of the Christian sabbath in the worship of the
sanctuary ; the careful training of children in Christian nurture and
admonition ; the sanctity of the sacramental and judicial oaths ;
the inviolability of the marriage relation ; family worship as main-
taining the integrity of the home ; the divine authority of the
state and the prompt and vigorous execution of its laws ; and thus
insisting, they believed, with all saints, in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth ; in Jesus Christ His only Sou, our Lord ;
and in the Holy Ghost. They believed in the Holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the
resurrection of the body, and in the life everlasting. To them God
was no abstraction, but the most intense of all realities ; who created
nature and antedates nature and is above nature, and who makes
her in all her manifoldness and complications an organ through
which He acts to the comprehension of His creatures, whose laws
are His mandates and accomplish His bidding. Therefore their
faith was a working force in their daily life. It gave a determinate
character to their domestic, their literary and civil institutions. In
this they were true to the spirit of the Pilgrim settlers of New
204 Bennington Centennial.
England, of whom it has been said, " They would have put a man
into the pillory who should have so insulted their consciences and
expressed the degradation of his own, as to deny the obligation ot
the state to conform to the same standard of right with that which
should govern the individual. They consulted the ministers of
religion in the framing of their constitutions and their statutes, at
the very time when their care against priestly domination was so
vigilant, that they forbade the clergy to solemnize the rite of mar-
riage. They fought the battles of the state, with Bibles in their
knapsacks. They expounded the Institutes of Moses and sung the
Psalms of David, on the eve of their victOT'ies." They were one
in that biblical faith of New England which so suffused the colo-
nies at a later date as to move " that act of the American Congress,
by which at the height of the Revolution, side by side with appro-
priations for the purchase of gunpowder, there stands an order for
the importation of twenty thousand copies of the Scriptures."
Resting thus in the Supernatural, and wielding forces that were
spiritual, the pioneer clergymen of Vermont taught a system of
truth which intensiGed individual being, and compelled each man
to see at one glance, his worth and his peril. In enforcing the
doctrine of the new birth, they inaugurated a process of symmet-
rical elevation, which, beginning in the profoundest depths of the
soul, advances in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of
the Son of God unto a perfect man. But since each man is a
part of humanity, such truths taught set to work a power diffusive
among men like gravitation among the stars. It gave authority to
the social virtues. It created forces which became constructive
elements in society and the world. Elevating the individual, it
was a power in the faiuilvi and through the family in the commu-
nity, and through the community in the state. Speaking of the
ideas which an evangelical and faithful pulpit is sure to start into
life, a living scholar, in a convention sermon before the Governor
and Legislature of Massachusetts, says, that "like Christianity, these
ideas are spiritual, and they take on social and civil and political
forms. They are constructive ideas. They work in building insti-
tutions, customs, forms and reforms of government much as the
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 205
instinct in the bee-hive works. From the intensity which the
Christian theory of manhood gives to individual being, start forth
as collaterals such ideas as the equality of the race, the brotherhood
of man with man, the nobility of woman, the inhumanity of war,
the odiousness of slavery, the dignity of labor, the worth of edu-
cation and the blessedness of charity. Institutions which are
the consolidation of such ideas, Christianity drops from her open
hand in and around the homes of men, for the healing of the
nations. And the point of significance is that the nations never
get them from any other source."*
Such were the original builders in Vermont ; and they builded
better than they knew, for they were workers together with God.
If they did not turn the world in these regions upside down, it was
because they were present at the laying of its foundations and saw
that it was placed at the start right side up. Their influence,
working silently like the occult forces of nature, permeated all the
forms of life in which the early settlers expended their energy. It
was felt as a power in aid of the religious and secular press ; it
created everywhere the spirit of good neighborhood ; it gave
ascendency to reason in the town meetings ; it enforced wise legis-
lation ; it awakened reverence for law ; it elevated the authority of
the court and gave dignity to the decisions of juries ; it called into
being a philanthropic public spirit, and made the people wise in
forecasting their institutions of every kind, and energetic in build-
ing them and liberal in their support. It rebuked indolence,
immorality and improvidence. It created a spirit of industry and
honorable competition. Felling the forests, building rude cottages
in the clearings, erecting churches and schoolhouses at every cor-
ner, and teaching the water-wheel to flap its wings in every
mountain stream, it multiplied everywhere through all these valleys
and among these hills, the sure sign of thrift in the accumulation of
property and in intellectual and moral advancement. It was under
such religious training as this, and through it as their instrument,
that the pioneer inhabitants of this commonwealth acted their part
* ProfesBor Austin Phelp*, D. D., AudoTer Theological Seminary, 1861.
206 JBennington Centennial.
as the servants of the God of heaven and earth, in building the
house that was builded here these many yeai's ago.
But consider that the house on which they toiled, and which they
occupied, and made their munition of rocks, was left by them
incomplete and fragmentary. Passing away, they transmitted it to
us as an inheritance incorruptible, undefined and that fadeth not
away ; not that we may occupy it in luxurious repose, but in labori-
ous industry upon it for its completion. Hence should the inter-
rogatory, propounded by the Samaritans to Ezra and his fellow-
laborers, be put to us to-day, our reply could be fittingly given in
the exact language of the text. " We are the servants of the God
of heaven and earth and build the house that was builded these
many yeai's ago." Nor should we give this reply except under an
inspiration caught from the original, and now advanced, conception
of the structure, as it shall stand forth at length in its divine com-
pleteness, " exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout
all countries.' 1
But who are the persons embraced by the term we, and who take
to themselves the title of " servants of the God of heaven and
earth ?" I reply that the term is used in the widest generality and
embraces those of us, citizens of the state, who are Episcopalians,
and who have forty-eight churches and missions and not less than
three thousand communicants ; those of us who are Baptists, and
who have one hundred and three churches and eight thousand
communicants ; those of us who are Methodists, and who have one
hundred and sixty-two churches and fourteen thousand three
hundred and fifty-five members not counting probationers ; those
of us who are of the Congregational order, and who have one
hundred and ninety-six churches, and including absentees
twenty-one thousand eight hundred and seven members ; and
besides these, those of us as well, who are communicants of any
other denominational faith not here included, and even many of
us who are not communicants in any church, and yet who love our
Lord Jesus Christ and cooperate with those who are ; numbering,
all told, above five hundred churches, and having over fifty thousand
believers ; these are they whom we denominate " the servants
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 207
of the God of heaven and earth," and who are now building in the
state, the house which was builded these many these hundred
years ago.
And now why did our fathers labor to build this house, this
spiritual house, this house of many mansions, and why do we, their
descendants enter into their labors and prosecute the enterprise?
This house has been a costly structure to rear ; and, built not of
refuse material, hay, wood and stubble, but of silver and gold and
precious stones, it has involved an immense outlay. Why all this
expense ?
My reply is obvious. Our Fathers built this house, and we
succeed them in the work, for the self-same reason that actuated
King David, in his extremity, to erect his altar in the threshing-floor
of Oman the Jebusite ; and that reason is identical in spirit with
the one that united all Israel afterwards to build, inclosing that
altar, the most costly and splendid structure ever reared by the
hand of man, namely, to supplicate the favor of heaven and stay
the divine judgments. Like King David, we refuse peremptorily
to ofler unto the Lord that which costs us nothing. In building
this habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob, we feel that we can-
not lavish upon it an excess of treasures. Our gratitude demands
this costly and perpetual outlay. But consider that as David's
grateful expenditure brought an immeasurable benefit to him and
his nation, so our gifts and labors, expended as grateful incense in
building the House of the Redeemer's Spiritual Kingdom, bring
us a return even in this life, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard
neither hath entered into the heart of man to conceive.
To begin with the lowest form of good, consider the worth of the
sanctuary in enhancing the material prosperity of the state. What
was real estate worth in Sodom after righteous Lot withdrew ?
What was it worth in Palestine when the temple-service ceased to
be an expense to the Jews ? What would it be worth in Vermont
had our fathers neglected to build the Lord's House and maintain
the public worship? Again, the absence of the sanctuary is the
presence of superstition and brutal barbarity. Destroy our churches
and disperse our worshipping assemblies, and Vermont would soon
208 Bennington Centennial.
be shorn of her glory and lie a melancholy waste. The angel of des-
olation would hover over her every home,with sword drawn. Besides,
the sanctuary is the repository of spiritual strength and beauty. It is-
the headquarters of the Captain of our Salvation. It is the maga-
zine of the Divine Forces. Thence issue forth civilizing ideas. It
defends against private and public calamity. It delivers us from
the three-fold woe of ignorance, superstition and crime. It createa
and fills the state with the atmosphere of Christian virtue. It is
affluent of everything that is lovely and beautiful and of good
report. It reaches in its ennobling influence every fibre and func-
tion of the state. It guides and purifies the currents of national
life and health. It nerves the right arm of labor. It purifies the-
fountains of justice. It gives authority to the decisions of juries.
It elevates and sweetens social intercourse. It exchanges the
insane fury of the mob in the street for the discussions of freemen
met in civil council, and supplants unreasoning force by the sover-
eignty of intellectual power. Under its dominion the spear gives
place to the pen, the bayonet to the book, and the reign of " chaos and
old night " to the majesty and authority of law.
There is no form of evil which this house does not defend
us against ; there is no virtue in human character, no orna-
ment in civilized society, no glory of the state, which it does not
originate and foster. At the very start, when the flood-gates of
French infidelity had been lifted and its baleful waters were coming
in upon the infant state like a deluge, an earnest ministry raised
against them its mighty standard and rolled back the sulphurous tide.
"There were giants in the earth in those days." "Sit down, thou
bold blasphemer, and listen to the word of God," was the language
of Father Dewey in the Bennington pulpit, to Ethan Allen, who,
taking exception to what had been taught in the public service and
vocally declaring it false, rose in his seat to leave the bouse. And
the veteran hero obeyed. British cannon had no such authority.
If this, then, is the House which our Fathers built, this its
unspeakable individual, social and public worth let us build on ;
build in grateful remembrance of the past, build in confident hope of
the future.
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 209
Nothing now remains in this service but to extend to Your
Excellency, Sir, the Governor of the state and to the Gentle-
men of your Staff; to His Honor the Lieutenant Governor, and
the Honorable Council Members of the Legislature ; to the Gen-
tlemen of the Bench and the Bar and the Press and the Learned
Professions ; to the Teachers of our Schools of Learning ; to the
Citizens of Windsor, whose hospitality is so generous ; and to
you All, Ladies and Gentlemen, the salutations of the hour.
These we extend to you, subdued by the solemnities of the day, by
the remembrance of the distinguished virtues of our ancestors, and
the absoluteness of our dependence upon the Divine forbearance
and support. Our lines are fallen to us in pleasant places and we
have a goodly heritage. Our Heavenly Father has 'wrought hith-
erto ; and our Redeemer has wrought ; and our fathers and mothers
have wrought ; and they have transmitted to us a rich inheritance.
As we belong to a goodly brotherhood in entering into their labors,
so we have accorded to us a solemn trust. Our state occupies but
a small spot within the bounds of the Republic ; but small as Ver-
mont is, she is a good deal to us. We love her ; her green hills ;
her mountains and valleys and streams ; her heroic and noble
history ; her institutions, and her patriotic devotion to the Federal
Union. That we may throw around her the defensive Arm of the
Almighty and defend her from the assaults of the avenging angel ;
that we may perpetuate her in honor through another century, and
augment her influence in the sisterhood of the States, let us apply
ourselves, with all diligence to this prolonged service the building
of the Lord's House in the state ; and if we do not see it in our day
" exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all coun-
tries," let us remember that this is its destination; and thru, l>y and
by, it may be in the far distant ages the builders shall bring
forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying Grace, Grace
unto it" shoutings which will die away only in the hallelujahs- of
the eternal reunion of all who have toiled in its erection.
In the evening Kev. C. B. Hulbert, D. D., preached a sec-
ond sermon to a large audience, from Psalms ii : 3 ; " If the
foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do ? "
14
2LO Bennington Centennial.
MONDAY, JULY 9-ra.
The day was ushered in by the ringing of all the bells in the
village, and a salnte of one hundred guns. A large collection
of people gathered at an early hour to aid in the commemo-
ration of the day
The procession formed at the Windsor House at half pas*
ten A. M., under the direction of Hiram Harlow, chief marshal,
and proceeded to the common in the following order :
1. Windsor Cornet Band.
2. The Governor of Vermont with Staff, and Hon. E. E.
Phelps, President of the Day.
3. Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, Orator ; Rev. Franklin But-
ler, Reader.
4. Hon. E. W. Stoughton, Hon. Luke P. Poland, ex-Gov-
ernor Ryland Fletcher, and Hon. Henry Clark.
5. Clergy, Citizens' Committee, Members of the Press.
6. Citizens of Windsor and visitors.
At the tent some five thousand people had assembled to listen
to the exercises, which were conducted in the following order :
1. Music by the Windsor Cornet Band.
2. Welcome, by Dr. E. E. Phelps, President of the Day, who said :
*' We are here to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of
Vermont, made peculiarly grand by its being the very spot on
which some of its first struggles for freedom were held."
3. Prayer by Rev. R. T. Searle of the Congregational church.
4. Music by the Choir, " Hail to thee, Liberty."
5. Governor Horace Fairbanks gave a welcome in behalf of the
state as follows :
" It gives me great pleasure to be present on this famed historic
occasion, and to bring you the formal salutations and greetings of
the grand old commonwealth the Green Mountain State."
6. Reading of Vermont Declaration of Independence, at West-
minster, January, 1777, by Rev. Franklin Butler.
7. Music by Windsor Cornet Band.
8. Hon. Gilbert A. Davis pronounced the following
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 211
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Mr, President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
We commemorate here to day the prowess of no military hero*
no glorious victory upon the blood-stained field, no city burned or
country laid waste ; but rather the foundation by our ancestors of
a free and independent state under the pressure of an overwhelming
necessity, and under circumstances of the most remarkable and
unprecedented character.
We who live to witness the close of the first century of Ver-
mont's existence, grateful for our civil privileges and blessings,
ought to do honor here to-day and at all times to Vermont's states-
men of 1777. Their wrongs, their hardships, their perils and their
triumphs are imperfectly known. Within a few years their charac-
ters, motives and conduct have been publicly assailed, and their
vindication is liable to be neglected amid the busy whirl of modern,
activity.
The Vermont Historical Society, in a quiet, unostentatious man-
ner, is collecting and preserving everything relating to the history
of this state, especially its Revolutionary history, and its publica-
tions and archives are already of immense value.
It is eminently proper that we renew our faith in, and knowledge
of, these men and of the events resulting in the formation of our
noble state, and that these commemorative services be held here in
Windsor. Here now stands the building in which was given the
name Vermont to be as everlasting as the verdant mountains
suggesting it ; here now stands the building within which the first
constitution of Vermont was adopted ; here was inaugurated her
first governor, and here assembled her first legislature.
You, citizens of Windsor, have reason to cherish the memories
clustering around these venerable buildings.
You, citizens of Vermont, have reason to perpetuate the memory
of those deeds of June and July, 1777, and of those men, who in
that hour of darkness and gloom launched, here in Windsor, amid
212 Bennington Centennial.
the galaxy of nations this new " star that never sets." On Satur-
day last was commemorated at Hubbardton the courage and valor
of the patriots who fought, although not victoriously, on the 7th
day of July, 1777, and all the state expect to go to Bennington oil
the 16th of August next to do honor to the victorious patriots who
fought at the battle of Bennington, although, in fact, that battle
was fought at Hoosic, in the state of New York ; but we here
to-day commemorate the achievements of Vermonters, in Vermont,
and for Vermont.
To me has been assigned the task of preparing an historical
address upon these events. When I examine these events and their
importance and witness the gifted and brilliant assemblage ai'ound
me, I must bespeak your generous forbearance in considering the
merits of my efforts. To perform this duty, I must necessarily
deal with the facts of history, facts gathered only by the most
patient researches. However, I am expected merely to erect the
framework of facts and dates upon which the eloquent gentlemen
who are to succeed me are to put the finishing touches and embel-
lishments.
To understand and appreciate the great events consummated here
in Windsor, on the 8th day of July, 1777, then and now of interest
to the whole state, and of which every Vermonter, whether at
home or abroad, is proud, we must examine and narrate the causes
which impelled and the motives which prompted the foundation of
a new and independent state here in this, then, wilderness, and the
adoption of a constitution that the rights and liberties of the people
might be preserved inviolate. The settlers on these New Hamp-
shire Grants had purchased and paid for the soil they had tilled ^
with many a manly, echoing stroke had conquered the primeval
forests, erected their log cabins, built the humble school houses,
reared heavenward the church spires ; had fought alternately the
treacherous red man and the untamed beasts of the forest ; but
when the winter of their discontent was melting into the glorious
summer of their hopes and anticipations of " home, sweet home,"
within these wilds, they were astonished and alarmed by the denial,
by the royal governor of New York, of the title to the soil acquii-ed
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 213
through the royal governor of New Hampshire, and by the intelli-
gence that land speculators and jobbers, principally residing in or near
New York city, claimed to own the same lands under titles acquired
through the royal governor of New York, deriving his authority
from the same English government whence came the commission
and authority of governor Benning Wentworth of New Hamp-
shire.
The independence of our state then, grew out of disputed land
titles resistance to robbery under the form of law. Yes, and our
national independence grew out of the principles involved in an
insignificant tax of three pence per pound on tea taxation with-
out representation. I claim that this state principle was broader
and deeper than the national.
To properly present this subject and preliminary thereto, allow
me to recapitulate some historical facts, somewhat familiar to every
Vermonter. The settlers upon the New Hampshire Grants, in
common with their brethren of the thirteen colonies had suffered
wrongs, deep and vital, from the British government, and had
heartily united in the attempts by petition and by entreaty to secure
a peaceable solution of the difficulties, and they had actively joined
in all the measures adopted by the colonies for self-defence and for
independence and self-government. Indeed, in Vermont, at West-
minster, was shed the first blood of the Revolution, and there fell
William French, the first martyr in that holy cause. I propose
not to recapitulate the story of these common wrongs. The knowl-
edge of them is the alphabet of your national political faith, and
the theme is foreign to my purpose. The inhabitants of the Grants
had suffered wrongs peculiar to themselves, local in their effect, but
of vital importance and of crushing weight.
Between 1749 and 1764, governor Wentworth of New Hamp-
shire, in pursuance of orders and instructions from the king and
privy council, had proceeded to grant the lands on the west of the
Connecticut river to a line within twenty miles of the Hudson, "to
such persons as would settle on and cultivate the same ; these grants
went under the title of the New Hampshire Grants, each grant being
six miles square, to sixty-eigkt proprietors in equal shares, whose
214 Bennington Centennial.
names were entered on the charter.*' Each town was erected into
a corporation and authorized to act as such. Governor Went worth
made one hundred and forty grants on similar principles, but no
considerable settlements were made until after the close of the
French war in 1761. These titles, under grants from the governor
of New Hampshire, made prior to the king's order in council of
July 20, 1764, were perfect and cannot be successfully assailed.
This order was promulgated in America on the 10th day of April,
A. D. 1765, and up to that date it was generally understood in both
England and America that the province of New Hampshire-
extended^vesterly to a line twenty miles east of the Hudson and to
Lake Champlain, and this included the present territorial limits of
this state. It was so represented on all the English and American
maps of that period. The king's order in council of July 20, 17H4,
did not destroy the validity of these charters, but only settled for the
then future the boundary line between the two provinces to be the
western bank of the Connecticut river. It had no retroactive effect.
Upon its promulgation the governor of New York assumed and
the governor of New Hampshire relinquished jurisdiction west of
the Connecticut. So far these proceedings did not alarm the set-
tlers; and they at first acquiesced cheerfully in this change of
jurisdiction ; but when they became aroused to a full understanding
of the purposes and claims of the royal governor of New York,
there was indeed cause for consternation and alarm.
On finding that the settlers were not disposed to repurchase their
lands at the rate of more than two thousand dollars per township,
from the royal governor of New York, which they had already
bought and paid for, when an unbroken wilderness, at the rate of
about three hundred dollars per township from the rojal governor
of New Hampshire, whose authority was equal to that of any other
royal governor, this royal governor of New York coolly proceeded
to parcel out the lands anew to regrant these same lands, and then
proceeded to enforce the validity of these grants by all the judicial
and executive force of the province. What could these poor, widely
scattered settlers do? In their extremity they had recourse to
their humble right of petition to the throne, and Capt Samuel
Westmister Hubbardton Windsor. 215
Robinson of Bennington was sent to England in December, 1766,
as the agent and attorney of the settlers to place before the king
and privy council the true state of facts and to secure a recognition
of their titles. This mission was successful, in that the king in
council, July 24, 1767, made his order in these memorable words:
" doth hereby strictly charge, require and command that the gov-
" ernor or commander-in-chief of his majesty's province of New
" York, for the time being, do not upon pain of his majesty's highest
" displeasure, presume to make any grant whatsoever, of any pai't of
" the land described in the said report until his majesty's further
" pleasure shall be known concerning the same."
These lands covered our present state, and that order was never
revoked. 5Tet, notwithstanding this order, it is an undisputed fact
that subsequent to its promulgation in America the royal governors
of New York, prior to June 12, 1776, granted 1,934,990 acres
within the present limits of this state in direct disobedience to this
positive order of the king of England, and this included nearly
one-third of the lands of this state. The stimulus to these extra-
ordinary, oppressive and unlawful acts was that the fees therefor to
the New York government officials amounted to more than
$190,000, of which more than $60,000 went into the capacious
pockets of the royal governors of New York.
Added to the foregoing should be 303,100 acres of military
grants within this state, 25,350 acres of which were given to one
man, James Duane, a New York city land speculator. These were
included in two patents issued in 1771, and were located in such
irregular parcels as to include the choicest lands in the several
townships of Rupert, Dorset and Pawlet, which townships had
been chartered by New Hampshire ten years previous and settled
under these charters.
The fruits of Mr. Robinson's mission were indeed small. It was
absolutely barren of practical results. The New York governor
and council seem to have been a corrupt " returning boai'd " in this
emergency, and counted in the land sharks and counted out the
honest settlers.
The throne was far distant, communication with England was
216 Bennington Centennial.
slow and expensive, money was scarce on the " Grants," and the
result of the first mission not encouraging.
This was before the days of railroads, telegraphs, steamships,
telephones, daily newspapers, postal facilities and other modern
inventions that have bound together the nationalities, so that the
morning's pulsations of public events are felt to the remotest limits
of civilization.
The New York officials claimed to be masters of the situation.
Writs of ejectment were showered upon the settlers, returnable and
triable in the distant city of Albany on the Hudson. But the quality
of New York iustice was tested, and in June, 1770, the judges of the
New York supi-eme court solemnly decided 'the titles under New
Hampshire to be invalid.
A case involving these questions came on for trial at the supreme
court at Albany in June, 1770. Ethan Allen had interested him-
self in the defense, and was in Albany at the trial. The settlers
had employed as their attorney Mr. Ingersoll, a distinguished lawyer
from Connecticut. The New Hampshire charters were produced
and offered in evidence, but the court excluded them, on which Mr.
Ingersoll seeing that the case had been prejudged, necessarily aban-
doned further defense, and judgment was given against defendant.
Thus a precedent was established to annihilate all the titles of lands
held under New Hampshire charters west of the Connecticut river.
Mr. Allen and Mr. Ingersoll retired from court, and in the evening
Mr. Kemp, the king's attorney, Mr. Banyar and Mr. James Duane,
lawyers and land speculators of New York, called on Mr. Allen,
proposing to give him and other men of influence on the Grants,
large tracts of land to secure peace and their influence, but this
proposal was rejected ; and among other conversation Mr. Kemp,
the king's attorney, observed to Ethan Allen that the people settled
on the New Hampshire Grants should be advised to make the best
terms possible with their landlords, for " might often prevailed
against right." Mr. Allen answered. " the gods of the valleys are
not the gods of the hills." Mr. Kemp asked for an explanation.
Mr. Allen replied that if he would accompany him to Bennington,
the phrase should be explained. The phrase was explained to some
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 217
of the New York sheriffs who came to Vermont to enforce writs
of possession issued on these unjust judgments. The twigs of the
wilderness were well laid on, and they went back smarter if not
wiser men. Sherifi Ten Eyck came on one occasion to Bennington
with a posse of seven hundred and fifty well armed men, to enforce
a writ of possession against James Brackenridge. Three hundred
and fifty Green Mountain Boys in ambuscade awaited his coming.
The sheriff demanded admission. Brackenridge replied, " attempt
it and you are a dead man. 1 ' Two divisions of Green Mountain
Boys then showed their hats on the points of their guns, when the
sheriff and his posse just then concluded that they had no interest
in the dispute, and made a hasty retreat without a gun being fired
on either side. Varying somewhat from Caesar's celebrated dis-
patch, " veni, vidi, vici," this sheriff's return probably was, "veni,
vidi, retraxi."
It is a well known fact " that the great body of the people of
New York felt no interest iu enforcing the claims involved in this
controversy ; on the contrary the popular sentiment was favorable
to the rights of the settlers, and experience had proved that bayo-
nets think, and that the militia of that colony could not be brought
to act against them with any effect. The settlers appealed to the
Higher Law. Conscious of the righteousuesss of their cause, secure
among their hills and mountains, they resolved to defend their
lands and their cabins, Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remem-
ber Baker and the historic host of others came to the front, and in
fact no New York writ of possession was ever enforced on the
*' Grants." For thus defending their possessions and homes, the
settlers were indicted as rioters, large sums of money offered for
their apprehension, and Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and others
included by name in an act of outlawry passed by the New York
legislature, dated March 9, 1774, by which act the judges were
empowered to award sentence of death without the criminal ever
being arraigned before the bar of the court and tried and convicted
by a jury of the country. Hence came the necessity for united
purposes and united ac tions. They were in the same relative posi-
tion to the government of New York that was expressed by Ben-
218 Bennington Centennial.
jamin Franklin when he signed the declaration of American Inde-
pendence : " We must indeed all hang together or most assuredly
we shall all hang separately." Being in a large degree united in
the common cause against New York, and treated as outlaws and
rioters, these settlers demonstrated to the world that they were
men, high minded men, patriots, friends of independence and lib-
erty, of justice and the right, capable of self government, zealous
of and able to maintain their rights, possessors of high moral and
intellectual characters. Thus situated, self government followed
almost naturally. The towns, those little democracies, had been
created under the New Hampshire charters with governments in
local affairs of the people, and by the people in town meetings
assembled. The town committees of safety were elected to attend
to their defense and security against the New York claimants*
These town committees of safety, for a more perfect union and for
the better protection and maintenance of their common interests,
by their delegates had met in general convention to devise measures
for bearing their part in the war of the Revolution, defending
their frontier and also for presenting their claims to independence
before Congress by correspondence and agents, and without any
written compact of union, had discussed and executed measures
deemed necessary for the common welfare.
These town committees of safety were appointed in Cumberland
and Gloucester counties in 1774 and 1775, and these when met
together in each county constituted the county committee of safety.
The power of the royal Provincial Congress of New York was
thoroughly broken in eastern Vermont by the Westminster massa-
cre of March 14 and 16, 1775. The last expression of loyalty to
the king by any representative body in the " Grants " was by the
general convention of committees h olden at Westminster court
house, April 11, 1775, when this massacre was denounced and
resistance voted against the New York government.
The spirit of American independence grew apace after the events
at Lexington transpii'ed, and the settlers on the Grants, in common
with their brethren of the thirteen colonies, became thoroughly
aroused in their opposition to the royal rule. On the 10th day of
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 219
May, 1775, the Green Mountain Boys stood within the walls of
Fort Ticonderoga, and Ethan Allen, in thunder t<5nes, " in the name
of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," demanded
aud received the surrender of that fortress. An appeal was made
to the Continental Congress through Capt. Heman Allen and Dr.
Jonas Fay, their agents, in 1776.
At a general convention of delegates from towns on the west
side of the Green Mountains, holden at Dorset, January 16, 1776,
Capt. Heman Allen and Dr. Jonas Fay had been appointed to pre-
sent to the Honorable Continental Congress the " humble address,
remonstrance and petition " of the settlers on the Grants, repre-
senting their loyalty to the general cause under the Continental
Congress, but at the same time expressing their unwillingness to
serve under officers appointed by New York, and asking " that for
the future your petitioners shall do duty in the continental service
(if required) as inhabitants of said New Hampshire Grants, and
not as inhabitants of the province of New York, or subject to the
limitations, restrictions or regulations of the militia of said prov-
ince, and that commissions as your honors shall judge meet, be
granted accordingly."
The first general convention on the Grants was held at Dorset,
July 24, 1776, and of the thirty-five towns represented only one,
Townshend, was on the east side of the mountain. At this con-
vention Capt. Allen reported the results of his mission to the Con-
tinental Congress ; results which were embodied in the resolution
adopted by Congress June 4, 1776, "that it be recommended to
the petitioners for the present, to submit to the government of New
York and contribute their assistance with their countrymen in the
contest between Great Britain and the United Colonies, but that
such submission ought not to prejudice the right of them or others
to the lands in controversy, or any part of them, nor be construed
to affirm or admit the jurisdiction of New York in and over that
country, and when the present troubles are at an end the final
determination of their rights may be mutually referred to proper
judges." The New Y"ork part of this resolution was not agreeable
to the Green Mountain Boys, but they were somewhat encouraged
220 Btnnington Centennial.
at thus being accorded belligerent rights at least. The convention
then resolved (with only one dissenting voice) " that application
be made to the inhabitants of said Grants to form the same into a
separate District," and then chose a committee to treat with the
inhabitants on the east side of the Green Mountains, relative to
their associating with this body ; and Capt. Heman Allen cf Mid-
dleboro, Col. Wm. Marsh of Manchester, and Jonas Fay of Ben-
iiington, in conjunction with Capt. Samuel Fletcher and Mr. Joshua
Fish of Townsend, were appointed a committee to exhibit the pro-
ceedings of this convention to said inhabitants and do the business
as above. The committee worked with effect, and on the sixth day
of August, Heman Allen, Jonas Fay and William Marsh, attended
a joint meeting of the committees of safety of Cumberland and
Gloucester counties at Windsor. Thirteen members of the two
committees were present and the meeting was holden at the town
house. " Various papers were read by them bearing upon the sub-
ject of a separate jurisdiction ; the boundaries of a new state were
described, and the approbation of the committees was sought to
the projects of the Dorset convention."
For the purpose of ascertaining the views of those residing east
of the Green Mountains, the people in each town were invited to
assemble in town meeting and express their opinion as to what
course they should deem it best to pursue.
When the Dorset convention reassembled, by adjournment, on
the 25th day of September, 1776, of the towns on the east side of
the mountains, Marlboro, Guilford, Windsor, Londonderry, Rock-
ingham, Dummerston, Westminster and Halifax, were represented
by delegates, and Wilmington and Cumberland by letter. At this
convention this "Covenant or Compact" was made and subscribed
by the members of the convention for themselves and constituents,
for the security of their ' Common liberties and properties in con-
junction with the Free and Independent States of America :"
" WHEREAS, This convention have for a series of years had
under their particular considerations the disingenuous conduct of
the former colony (now the state of New York) toward the inhab-
itants of that district of land commonly called and known by the
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 221
name of the New Hampshire Grants, and the several illegal, unjust-
ifiable and unreasonable measures they have taken to deprive by
fraud, violence and oppression, those inhabitants of their property,
and in particular their landed interest ; and as this convention has
reason to expect a continuance of the same kind of disingenuity,
unless some measures effectually be taken to form the said district
into a separate and distinct one from New York ; and whereas, it
at present appears to this convention that for the foregoing reasons,
together with the distance of road which lies between this district
and New York, it will be very inconvenient for those inhabitants
to associate or connect with them for the time being, directly or
indirectly :
" Therefore, this convention being fully convinced that it is nec-
essary that every individual in the United States of America should
exert themselves to their utmost abilities in the defense of the
liberties thereof, and that this convention may notify the Public of
their punctual attachment to the said common cause, at present as
well as heretofore, we do make and subscribe the common cove-
nant, via. :
" We the subscribers, inhabitants of that district of Lands com-
monly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire
Grants, being legally delegated and authorized to transact the pub-
lic and political affairs of the aforsaid District of Lands, for our-
selves and constituents, do solemnly covenant and engage that, for
the time being, we will strictly and religiously adhei'e to the sev-
eral resolves of this or a future convention constituted on said
district by the free voice of the friends to American Liberties, that
^hall not be repugnant to the resolves of the hon'ble Continental
Congress, 1'elative to the General Cause of America."
Another session of this convention was holden by adjournment
at Westminster, October 30, 1776, at which measures were taken
to further the project for the formation of a separate state, but it
remained for the next sitting of the convention by adjournment at
Westminster in January, 1777, to adopt and promulgate the formal
declaration of state independence which has been read in your
222 Bennington Centennial,
heaving, when the name of New Connecticut was given to the new
born state.
We now come to the adjourned session of this convention which
was holden at the town house here in Windsor, commencing on the
fourth day of June, 1777, at which forty-nine towns were repre-
sented by seventy-two delegates, and two by letter. The doings of
this convention are within the scope of our commemorative ser-
vices. Then and here was given to our state that name, Vermont,
that is now known and honored throughout the world. Windsor
has this high honor.
Aware of the importance of their undertaking, the roll of dele-
gates was called, and seventy-one voted to proceed to business
under the declaration of independence adopted at Westminster in
the preceding January, and the record continues : " The said sev-
enty-one members did renew their pledges to each other by all the
ties held sacred among men, and resolve and declare that they were
at all times ready, in conjunction with their brethren in the United
States, to contribute their full proportion towards maintaining the
present just war against the fleets and armies of Great Britain.
That the public may be capable of forming a just idea of the
reasons which so necessarily obliged the inhabitants of the district
before described to declare themselves to be separate and distinct
from the state of New York, the following complaints are hereto
subjoined."
The convention thereupon proceeded to set forth fifteen reasons
that had impelled them to these measures for independence. Their
words were the bitter, burning words of the oppressed and injured.
Honest men they were ; pure patriots they were ; kind fathers and
noble citizens ; and they had gathered here in Windsor for self-pro-
tection and self-government. With malice towards none, these men
in the fourteenth article of their Complaints, use these weighty
words :
" In truth they, the late government of New York, have spared
neither cost nor pains, nor been wanting in using every artful insin-
uation in their power, (however unwarrantable by the laws of God
or man,) to defraud these inhabitants out of all their landed prop-
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 223
rty ; and nothing but consciences void of offense towards God
*nd man, to whose impartial judgment we appeal, could have
induced these inhabitants to have run the risk, and to have under-
gone the hardships and fatigues they have borne, for the salvation
of their lives, liberties and properties. In the several stages of the
aforesaid apprehension, we have petitioned his Brittanic majesty
in the most humble manner for redress, and have, at very great
expense, received several reports in our favor ; and in other
instances wherein we have petitioned the late legislative authority
of New York, these petitions have been treated with neglect. We
shall therefore only remind the public that our local situation alone
is a sufficient reason for our declaration of an independence, and must
therefore announce a separation from New York, and refer the
public to our declaration made the 15th day of January last, and
published in the Connecticut Cotirant, and sincerely wish that in
future a lasting peace may continue between the state of New
York and this with the other United States of America."
Actuated by these high and honorable motives, and compelled to
take the position that they did through a stern sense of duty, the
descendants of the Pilgrims in this convention, here in Windsor
assembled, on the 7th day of June, 1777, issued a proclamation
appointing the 18th day of June, 1777, to be observed as a day of
fasting and prayer : " That we may humble our hearts before God,
and implore Him to avert the impending judgments, remove the
flword of our unnatural enemies from us, sanctify the awful powers
of Divine Providence, grant His blessings on our councils and
arms, and direct our generals, guard this state from the invasion of
the savages, direct in our election of members for establishing
government, bless the labors of our hands, grant suitable seasons
of the year for seed time and harvest, revive religion and virtue,
bless the ministers of the gospel, and water His churches with
heavenly grace."
Here in Windsor, also, at this convention, was exclusive juris-
diction first assumed by Vermont ; county committees of safety
commanded to desist from acting under authority of New York ;
the jail at Westminster secured ; and provisions made by resolu-
224 Bennington Centennial.
tions " that the committees of the several towns be and hereby are
empowered to seize and secure all and every person and their
estates that appear to be enemical to their country, and to proceed to
trial in manner and form " as set forth in the resolution, " to give
sentence against him or them, and order the said judgment to be
put in execution."
The convention then provided for the election of delegates in
each town on June 23d, to attend a general convention at Windsor
on the 2d day of July then next, "to choose delegates to attend the
general Congress, a Committee of Safety, and to form a Constitu-
tion for said state." This convention also appointed a committee
to make a draft of a constitution, and a committee consisting of
Col. William Marsh, James Mead, Ira Allen and Capt. Salisbury, to
wait on the commander of Ticonderoga, and consult with him
respecting the regulations and defense of the frontiers, and then
adjourned to the 2d day of July, 1777, at Windsor. While thi*
committee was at Ticonderoga, Lt. Gen. Burgoyne appeared on
Lake Champlain with a splendidly equipped army and fleet, confi-
dent of a triumphant march through Vermont and New York, and
by effecting a junctui'e with the forces of Sir Henry Clinton at
New York city, to accomplish what Gen. Sherman did in his cele-
brated ;< march to the sea." Resting at Crown Point, Burgoyne
Bent a scout of about three hundred, mostly Indians, to land at
Otter Creek, to annoy the frontiers of the state. Gen. Poor
refused to allow any troops to the committee for the defense of the
frontiers, but allowed Col. Warner to go with the committee, who
soon raised men sufficient to repel the assailants. All who were
members of the convention left the militia and repaired to Windsor
on the 2d day of July, 1777.
This being an adjourned convention, it is probably true that
nearly all who were present at the June convention were here, and
some new delegates elected on the 23d of June. No ofticiul record
or full unofficial account of its proceedings has ever been published,,
and after the most cireful researches we are left in, doubt as to the
personnel of its membership, and only twenty-four names can be
mentioned with certainty, and fourteen more with probability of
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 225
correctness. These thirty-eight delegates represented twenty-four
towns, viz. : Bradford, Barnet, Bennington, Chester, Clarendon,
Colchester, Cavendish, Duramerston, Guilford, Hartford, Marlboro,
Newhury, Porafret, Poultney, Kockinghara, Rutland, Shaftsbury,
Sunderland, Tinmouth, Townshend, Pownal, Wilmington, West-
minster and Windsor. And there is good authority for adding to
these, Hartland, Norwich, Woodstock, Sharon and Reading.
Standing as we now do on the threshold of the convention of
July 2, 1777, let us take a sweeping glance at the state of public
affairs, and judge thereby of the bravery and wisdom of these men.
Put yourselves in their place would you have dared to do what they
did hei'e, one hundred years ago ? In addition to the vital conflict
pending with New York for a foothold even among these hills and
mountains, the settlers upon the Grants were not united, on this
project of state independence. In some towns, like Brattleboro,
Springfield and Weathersfield, the "Yorkers" were in the majority,
in other towns in lai'ge and efficient minorities. Cumberland
county, which then comprised the present counties of Windham and
Windsor, was at this time represented in the New York Provincial
Congress.
On the same 4th day of June, 1777, there had assembled at
Westminster a convention of the adherents of New York and of
opponents of the new state, at which nine towns wei'e represented
by thirteen delegates, and this convention assembled by adjourn-
ment at the same place on June 17th and 18th, and again at Brat-
tleboro on the 26th ; and the populous and influential towns of
Brattleboro, Springfield and Weathersfield adhered to this oppo-
sition.
The Continental Congress had assumed a hostile attitude towards
these patriots, and on the 30th day of June, 1777, " Resolved that the
independent government attempted to be established by the people
styling themselves inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, can
derive no countenance or justification from the act of Congress
declaring the United Colonies to be independent of the crown of
Great Britain, nor from any other act or resolution of Congress."
Add to these surroundings and internal discords the fact that the
15
226 Bvnnington Centennial.
exultant army of Burgoyne, with his savage allies, was then
approaching Fort Ticonderoga, then regarded as the military key
of this whole northern department, with a fleet of formidable
strength, threatening to capture that fortress and lay waste Ver-
mont as well as New York, placing in imminent peril the families,
homes and possessions of the members of this convention, and you
have before you the alarming and discouraging circumstances
under which this convention assembled. If ever men were brave,
they were ; if ever men were patriotic, they were.
On the 2d day of July, 1777, the delegates having assembled and
elected Joseph Bowker of Rutland, president, and Jonas Fay of
Bennington, secretary, prayer was ofFei'ed for wisdom and guid-
ance, and a sermon delivered by Rev. Aaron Hutchinson of Pomfret.
The constitution which had been adopted by Pennsylvania in 1776,
by a convention of which Benjamin Franklin was president, was
placed before them as a model by the committee who had been
appointed to draft such an instrument. This committee also placed
before them a letter from Dr. Thomas Young of Philadelphia,
bearing date April It, 1777, and addressed " To the inhabitants of
Vermont, a free and independent state, bounding on the river Con-
necticut and Lake Champlain," and filled with encouragement and
counsel. The variations of the first constitution of Vermont from
that of Pennsylvania are all additions, and in my judgment,
improvements ; but of this I shall speak more fully hereafter. On
the second day of their sittings the business of the convention was
interrupted by the arrival of a messenger bearing a dispatch from
Col. Seth Warner, dated at Rutland, July 1, 1777, informing the
convention " that the enemy had come up the lake with seventeen
or eighteen gunboats, two large ships and other craft ; that an
attack was expected upon Ticonderoga every hour; and calling upon
the militia of Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, to join
him as soon as possible ;" calling upon the convention " to call out
the militia on the east side of the mountain," and in urgent terms
reciting the perils of the situation and the necessity of immediate
relief with men and provisions as " the loss of so important a
post may be irretrievable." A copy of this dispatch was immedi-
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 227
ately forwarded to the general assembly of New Hampshire then
in session at Exeter, with an earnest and patriotic letter from the
convention.
Having taken such measures for the relief of Fort Ticonderoga
and the defense of the frontier, the convention proceeded to con-
sider the proposed constitution. The business was new and
important, requiring careful consideration and discussion. Ira
Allen, who was a member, informs us in his history of Vermont,
that their proceedings were far from harmonious, different opinions
prevailing among the members, and that in order to reconcile these
differences and to avoid discord, a large majority in one instance
conformed to a minority, when deliberating on the articles of the
constitution. This labor was continued from the 2d to the 8th,
when the deliberations were interrupted by the arrival of a messen-
ger from Gen. St. Clair, bearing a letter addressed to the "President
of the Vermont Convention at Windsor," announcing that on the
night of the 6th the American army had evacuated the forts of
Ticonderoga aud Mt. Independence ; that the army was in full
retreat for Bennington and had reached Castleton ; that the battle
of Hubbardton was in progress when the messenger left, the event
of which remained undetermined ; and urging that reinforcements
and provisions be sent by the shortest route to Bennington.
This intelligence must have filled with consternation and alarm
the members of this convention. The family of the president, as
well as those of many other members were exposed to the foe. Ira
Allen, who was a member, and at Windsor at the time, says : " In
this awful crisis, the convention was for leaving Windsor " with
their great work unfinished. In this hour of peril, as if to add to
the terrors surrounding them, and still further to impress them with
the perils of the situation, " a severe thunder storm came on and
gave them time to reflect, while other members, less alarmed at the
news, called the attention of the whole to finish the constitution,
which was then read paragraph by paragraph for the last time and
adopted," amid the roar of Heaven's artillery. The convention
directed the election of state officers to be holden the ensuing
December, and the legislature to meet at Bennington the succeed-
228 Bennington Centennial.
ing January, and then appointed a council ot safety, consisting of
twelve members, to administer the governmental affairs of the new
state until some other provision was made, and voted to establish a
loan office with Ira Allen as its trustee. Col. Joseph Marsh of
Hartford, Col. William Williams of Wilmington, and Col. Timothy
Brownson of Sunderland, were " appointed a committee to procure
a sufficient quantity of arms for the state, as the exigency of the
same shall require, drawing them if possible out of some continen-
tal stores," but authorized, if need be, to hire not exceeding 4,000
upon the credit of the state.
Having accomplished these important purposes, the convention
adjourned on the 8th.
The events following the evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga
and the defeat at Habbardton, including the glorious victory at
Bennington, in which the Green Mountain Boys bore so important
a part, and the more glorious victory at Saratoga, had so deeply
engrossed the attention of the people of Vermont, that no prepara-
tions were made for the election provided for under the new
constitution. To Ira Allen had been committed the task of getting
the new constitution printed, which he procured to be done in the
ensuing November, at Hartford, Connecticut. The public alarm
having subsided, " many of the citizens returned to their habita-
tions, and the Council of Safety again paid attention to the consti-
tution." The preamble was written by Ira Allen and Thomas
Chittenden, president of the council of safety, at Williamstown,
Massachusetts, in November, 1777, in which are set forth the
reasons why the inhabitants of Vermont had been compelled to
dissolve their connection with New York. Ira Allen says :
" There was not time before the day assigned for the election to
print and publish the constitution, therefore the convention was
summoned to meet at Windsor in December, 1777. They met,
revised the constitution, and appointed the first election to be on
the 12th day of March, 1778. One difficulty was discovered by
some members of this convention who concluded the best way to
evade it was to keep it in as small a circle as possible, the difficulty was
to establish the constitution without the voice of the people further
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 229
than was vested in the convention by their credentials that author-
ized them to form a constitution, but were silent as to its ratification,
and they had no ancient government to predicate their claims upon ;
besides, intestine divisions and different opinions prevailed among
the people, and even in the convention. * * As the
people seemed inclined for a popular government, the constitution
was so made. * * * Had the constitution been then
submitted to the people for their revision, amendment and ratifica-
tion, it is very doubtful whether a majority would have confirmed
it, considering the resolutions of Congress, and their influence at
that time, as well as the intrigues and expense of the Provincial
Congress of New York, who endeavored to divide and subdivide
the people."
Representatives were elected and the first general assembly of
the state of Vermont assembled here in Windsor on the 12th day
of March, 1778, the votes of the freemen of the state were can-
vassed, and the persons who had a majority of votes for the respect-
ive offices of governor, lieutenant-governor, twelve councillors and
a treasurer, declared elected. Here was inaugurated Thomas
Chittendeu, the first governor of Vermont, and Joseph Marsh of
Hartford, the first lieutenant-governor.
A few remarks as to the constitution itself, and I am done. The
first section of the Pennsylvania constitution, as does ours,
announced in formal terms " that all men are born free and inde-
pendent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights,
amongst which are the enjoying and defending liberty ; acquiring,
possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety." So far the two instruments concur.
Nothing shows more plainly the temper and spirit of this conven-
tion than these words, that were added to that section :
" Therefore, no male person, born in this country or brought
from over sea, ought to be holden by law to serve any person as a
servant, slave or apprentice, after he arrives to the age of twenty-
one years, nor female in like manner after she arrives to the age ot
eighteen years, unless they are bound by their own consent after
230 Bennington Centennial.
they arrive at such age, or bound by law, for the payment of debts,
damages, fines, costs, and the like."
This principle thus early became the fundamental law of the
state.
Vermont was the first state to prohibit slavery by constitutional
provision, and of this fact we may proudly boast. And in fact no
slave was ever lawfully owned within this state, because no one
could ever produce a bill of sale from God Almighty ; such being
the requirements of Vermont law, as announced by Judge Har-
rington.
Referring to this constitution ex-governor Hall pertinently
remarks :
" The form of government was strongly democratic in its char-
acter. The elective franchise was given to ' every man of the full
age of twenty-one years, who had resided in the state for one
year.' Every such person was also eligible to any office in the
state. The legislative power was vested in a single assembly of
members, chosen annually by ballot by the several towns in the
state. The executive authority was in a governor, deputy or lieuten-
ant governor, and twelve councillors, elected annually, by ballot of
the whole freemen of the state."
The governor and council had no negative power, but it was pro-
vided that " all bills of a public nature' before they were final ly debated
in the public assembly, should be laid before the governor and council
" for their perusal and proposals of amendment," and " also printed
for the information of the people," and that they should not be
enacted into laws until the succeeding session of the assembly.
" The rights of conscience in the free exercise of religious worship"
were secured, and all the customary guards interposed for securing
justice and liberty to all.
This form of government continued in operation long after the
state became a member of the Federal Union, furnishing the people
with as much security for their persons and property as was enjoyed
by those of other states, and allowing to each individual citizen all
the liberty which was consistent with the welfare of others.
Fellow citizens, we are proud of Vermont to-day, crowned with
Westminster Hubbardton Windsor. 231
her first century of prosperity ; we are proud of her glorious
annals, of the worthy deeds which we commemorate, of the wisdom
that planned and the patriotism that effectuated them ; proud of her
record in the Revolution and in the Great Rebellion ; proud of
her rocks and rills, her woods and templed hills, her laughing val-
leys and verdant mountains ; proud of her illustrious statesmen,
living and dead, the morality and intelligence of her people, the
honesty of her judiciary. Let us so handle the helm that the good
ship of state, " Vermont," shall never falter in her course.
9. Music. Solo by Frank M. Davis of Rutland, with chorus
" Let the Hills and Vales Resound."
10. Addresses by Hon. Edwin W. Stoughton of New York,
Hon. Luke P. Poland of St. Johnsbury, and ex-Gov. Rylaud
Fletcher of Proctorsville.
At the close of the services the procession was again formed
and marched to the Windsor House for
DINNER.
After the cloth was removed, Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, Toast
Master, proposed the following toasts, which were appropriately
responded to by the gentlemen named :
1. 2 he Governors of Vermont^ an unbroken line of illustrious
statesmen.
Governor Fairbanks having left town, it was responded to
by Col. A. C. Bubbell of his staff, and ex-Governor Ryland
Fletcher.
2. The President of the United States and his Southern
Policy.
Responded to by Rev. W. M. Mick, a native of Virginia.
8. Vermont, the star that never sets.
Responded to by W. E. Johnson, a grandson of Hon. Jacob
Collamer.
4. Westminster sends greeting to Windsor.
Response by Rev. Pliny F. Barnard of Westminster.
232 Bennington Centennnial.
5. The Mothers of Vermont, pure as her laughing rills, noble
as her verdant mountains ; their sons have ever done them honor.
Responded to by Hon. Edwin W. Stoughton of New York.
6. 1 he Green Mountain .Boys, hardy, brave, triumphant. They
whipped the Yoi'kers, and turned the tide of American independ-
ence at Fort Ticonderoga atd Bennington.
Responded to by Hon. Henry Clark of Rutland.
7. The Day we celebrate.
Response by Rev. Thomas J. Taylor of Windsor.
8. The brave Vermont Soldiers who served in the Rebellion.
Responded to by ex-Gov. Ryland Fletcher of Proctor sville.
9. The old Constitution House, may the memory of that grand
political event which took place within its walls, July 8, 1877,
incite the state pride and fire the national patriotism of the Green
Mountain Boys for a thousand years to come.
Responded to by Rev. Franklin Butler of Windsor.
10. Our State Educational Institutions.
Response by Rev. C. B. Hulbert, D. D., of Middlebury.
A letter was read from Col. Redfield Proctor, expressing his
regrets that a previous engagement prevented his attendance.
11. The Windsor Cornet Band and the Ladies and Gentlemen
of the Choir.
Response by the choir and band.
This closed the dinner exercises. At sunset all the village
bells rang for half an hour. The residences of Windsor
were illuminated in the evening. Among those winch deserve
mention were those of Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary of
State, Hon. Edwin W. Stoughton, Minister to Russia, Milton
K. Paine, Hiram Harlow, and the " Old Town House," in one
of which could be read the following memorable words :
" Proceed to Form ? yeas, 72 ; nays, ; June 4, 1777."
This first centennial commemoration of the independence of
Vermont was one of the most notable and dignified commena-'
orative services ever held in New England.
Preliminary Steps, cfec., in New Hampshire. 233
The following matter which formed part of the original
plan of this book, and is referred to on page 11 was, owing to
the death of the editor during the progress of the work, acci-
dentally omitted in its proper place and is therefore inserted
here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE BENNINGTON CENTEN-
NIALPRELIMINARY STEPS, ETC.
COMPILED BY BENJ. F. PBESCOTT.
His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, governor of Vermont,
extended to New Hampshire an invitation to be present and
take part in the centennial celebration of the battle of Ben-
nington, August 16, 1877. His Excellency Benjamin F.
Prescott, governor of New Hampshire, in his first message to
the legislature, in June, 1877, brought the subject of the
celebration before that body in the following manner :
The one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Bennington
will be celebrated with appropriate ceremony and demonstration
on the 16th of August, the present year. Important prepara-
tions are making for this centennial celebration. The state of
Vermont, through proper authority, has extended an invitation
to the state of New Hampshire to participate in celebrating that
memorable event, and also to aid iu the erection of a suitable
monument to commemorate this decisive victory. New Hamp-
shire certainly should have a just pride in this celebration and
enterprise for our own heroic ancestors composing about three-
fourths of the entire number engaged in this, certainly one of
the most important pivotal battles of the Revolution, under our
own gallant and intrepid Stark, with nearly 1,500 volunteer citi-
zens hurled back the well equipped and well organized troops
under Colonels Baum and Breyman, and hastened the surrender
of Burgoyne at Saratoga. In speaking of the conduct of these
New Hampshire troops their gallant commander said, "If every
o'nThad been an Alexander or a Charles of Sweden they could
234 JBennington Centennial.
not have fought better." It was a battle which fired the country
with enthusiasm, paralyzed the army of Burgoyne, insured its
subsequent surrender, filling England with dismay, and making
France an ally of America. The descendants of such worthy
sires may, on this one hundredth anniversary of that victory,
with propriety join in the erection of a monument which shall
ever tell the story of the heroic devotion which gave to the world
the republicanism of the nineteenth century. Massachusetts has
already made an appropriation for this object. I recommend
that New Hampshire make a suitable appropriation for the pro-
posed monument on this historic spot where so many of our
citizens, unprepared for the hardships of a fatiguing campaign,
laid down their lives for the establishment of the nation, the
permanency of which there can be no question. The plan is so
guarded, and the trust is confided to such worthy hands, the
object cannot fail of an early fulfilment. As the states of New
Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts together won this
decisive victory it seems especially appropriate that they should
together observe the centennial anniversary of the great event
by joining in the erection of a monument to the memory of the
men who fought so heroically, sacrificed so grandly, and died so
bravely. One of our own sons, a gentleman of elegant scholar-
ship and refined culture, has been honored by being selected to
deliver the oration on the occasion certainly an appropriate
compliment to our state.
As New Hampshire under trying difficulties was fully rep-
resented at Bennington on the 16th of August, 1777, let a
proper respect for the memory of those patriots be shown by a
full representation of our soldiers and citizens on the 16th of
August, 1877. in the re-consecration of this battle-ground.
June 14, 1877, Governor Prescott transmitted to the Senate
and House of Representatives the invitation of Governor
Fairbanks, 'with accompanying documents. The speaker of
the House, Hon. Augustus A. Woolson, referred the subject
to the Committee on National Affairs. On July 5th, Mr. Page,
a representative from Haverhill, and a member of the com-
Preliminary Steps, <&c., in JVew Hampshire. 235
mittee, reported a joint resolution, and recommended its pas-
gage as follows :
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, in gen-
eral court convened, That the legislature of New Hampshire
accept the invitation of the governor of Vermont, transmitted
by direction of the legislature of that state, to unite with the
states of Vermont and Massachusetts in commemorating the
centennial anniversary of the battle of Bennington on the 16th
of August next.
Resolved, That the sum of five thousand dollars be and the
game is hereby appropriated in aid of the erection of a monu-
ment in commemoration of the battle of Bennington, to be paid
to the treasurer of the "Bennington Battle Monument Associa-
tion," a corporation established under the laws of Vermont, at
such time and in such sums as his excellency the governor
may direct. Provided, that no part of such sum shall be paid
until the plans of said monument shall be approved by the gov-
ernor, and until he shall be satisfied that funds are provided
from other sources, including the sum herein appropriated, suf-
ficient to complete the monument according to the plans approved
by him.
Resolved, That the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars be and
hereby is appropriated to pay a portion of the expenses for trans-
portation of equipage and such of the military of the state aa
may volunteer to attend the celebration at Bennington on the
16th of August next, such material and troops to be designated
by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council and
adjutant-general.
Resolved, That the governor is hereby authorized to draw hig
warrant for the aforesaid sums out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Resolved, That the secretary of state be instructed to trans-
mit a copy of this resolution to the governor of the state of
Vermont and the "Bennington Battle Monument Association."
This joint resolution was unanimously passed by the legisla-
ture, and was approved by Governor Prescott July 14, 1877.
236 Bennington Centennial.
New Hampshire took part in the celebration, as appears
elsewhere in this volume.
Governor Presoott, in his message to the legislature of
1878, in referring to the celebration makes use of the follow-
ing language :
The centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington, Ver-
mont, occurred on the 16th of August last. Extensive prepara-
tions were made for a proper observance of this historic event.
An invitation was extended to the state of New Hampshire to-
be present and take part in the exercises of the day, in such
manner as might be determined upon by the authorities of the
state. The legislature accepted the invitation and made pro-
vision to be represented in a manner worthy the heroic New
Hampshire soldiery who, one hundred years ago, poorly prepared
except with brave hearts, broke up and drove back a greatly
superior force of invading English and Hessian soldiery. The
legislature appropriated $2,500 to pay in part the expenses for
transportation of equipage and such of the militia of the state as
might volunteer to attend the celebration. In order to get as full
a representation as possible of the militia of the state a condition
was made that such companies as should be selected should pay
for their own subsistence and the state would pay the entire
expense of transportation. By adopting this method we were
able to select three companies from each regiment, the Amoskeag
Veterans, the staff officers of the brigade, representatives from
all the companies in the state, together with one full band of
music. The companies selected were those recommended by the
colonels of each regiment in connection with the adjutant-general
of the state. In order to secure a respectable representation of
our militia in point of numbers the course adopted seemed the
most feasible. Our soldiers thus selected were present on this
memorable occasion, and participated in honorable position not
only in the great procession and military display on the 16th but
also on the 15th of August, which day was especially devoted to
exercises commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the
Action of Massachusetts. 237
birthday of Vermont. I am happy to announce that our troops
conducted themselves with marked decorum and soldierly bearing
while on this expedition, and elicited frequent expressions of praise
from those who saw them. They reflected great credit and
honor upon the state, and did not suffer in comparison with any
of the great number of troops present. There was also present a
large representation of our state officers and both branches of the
legislature, beside hundreds of our citizens. It was an occasion
long to be remembered, and the prominent part taken by our
state in the exercises will form an important epoch in our history.
OFFICIAL ACTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS COMPILED FROM PUBLIC DOC-
UMENTS AND REPORTS.
-COMPILED BY COLONEL ISAAC F. KINGSBURY, ASSISTANT
ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, }
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
BOSTON, January 9, 1877. )
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives :
I have the honor herewith to transmit for the information and
use of the general court the annual reports for the year 1876 * *.
I also transmit a communication addressed to me by his
excellency the governor of the state of Vermont enclosing a
copy of an act passed by the legislature of that state.
[Signed.] ALEXANDER H. RICE.
The communication above transmitted was in both branches
referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, who reported as
follows :
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 30, 1877. j
The Committee on Federal Relations to whom was referred the
communication from the governor of Vermont relating to the
238 Bennington Centennial.
centennial celebration of the battle of Benniugton, submit the
following report:
The communication is as follows:
STATE OF VERMONT, >
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, >
ST. JOHNSBURY, December 30, 1876. )
To His Excellency Hon. Alexander H. Rice, Governor of Mas-
sachusetts :
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith to your excellency
a copy of an act passed at the recent session of the legislature of
this state, in which I am directed to invite in the name of the
state the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts to unite
with Vermont in erecting a monument at Bennington in memory
of the heroes of the battle of Bennington.
In complying with this request I feel sure I give expression to
the earnest desire of all the citizens of this state. And as the
states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont together
won this decisive victory it seems eminently fitting that they
should together observe the centennial anniversary of 'the great
event by joining in the erection of a monument to the memory
of the men who wrought so nobly, sacrificed so grandly, and died
so bravely.
Trusting that Massachusetts will heartily cooperate with Ver-
mont and New Hampshire in this proposal to do honor to their
patriot dead,
I remain, your excellency's most obedient servant,
HORACE FAIRBANKS.
Since the letter above copied was received letters of invitation
addressed to his excellency the governor, with the heads of
departments, and to each branch of the legislature, have been
received.
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt., March 26, 1877.
To the Hon. John D. Long, Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
DEAR SIR: In compliance with the accompanying resolution,
I desire to extend to you, and through you to the House of
Action of Massachusetts. 239
Representatives, the cordial invitation of the association to attend
and participate in the exercises of the centennial celebration of
the battle of Bennington, at Bennington, in this state, on the
sixteenth day of August, A. D. 1877.
I am, very respectfully yours,
HOEACE FAIRBANKS,
President of the Bennington Battle Monument Association.
[COPY.]
BENNINGTON, Vt., March 21, 1877.
At a meeting of the Battle Monument Association, held this
day at the court house, the following resolution was adopted, and
the chairman, Ex-Governor Hall, was directed to transmit a copy
of the same to His Excellency Governor Horace Fairbanks,
president of this association :
Resolved, That His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, president
of this association, be directed to invite in the name of the
association the governor and council, the Senate and House of
Representatives and the state officers of the states of New
Hampshire and Massachusetts to attend ana participate in the
centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington, at Ben-
nington, Vt., on the sixteenth day of August, 1877.
[Signed.] J. T. SHURTLEFF,
Secretary pro tern.
A similar communication was addressed to the president of the
Senate.
The letters from Governor Fairbanks invite Massachusetts to
unite with Vermont and New Hampshire in celebrating the
centennial anniversary of the battle as well as in erecting a
monument. A brief sketch of the battle, showing the part
Massachusetts bore in this, then and since recognized as one of
the most important engagements of the war, may not be amiss.
The course of American history has been marked at intervals
by signal events conspicuous to the whole world, and indicative
of that influence on the world's progress which it has been the
destiny of this country under Providence to exert. The landing
of the Pilgrims was one of these events ; the resistance to British
240 Bennington Centennial.
aggression made at Concord and Lexington was another; the
formation of the national constitution under the lead of Wash-
ington was another. Secondary in importance to such events as
these, yet no less characteristic of the spirit and capacity of the
New England people, were such incidents as the revolt against
Andros in 1689, the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, and the
victory at Bennington two years later. These two battles, indeed,
though fought at an interval of years and a distance of many
miles may be regarded as no more than successive phases of the
same engagement, in both of which the same veteran captain,
John Stark ^f New Hampshire, had a leading part. At Bunker
Hill the best soldiers of the British army, victors in many a con-
test in Europe, were twice repulsed in attacking the hasty
intrenchments of the New England militia. At Bennington the
same militia without cannon or bayonets and by the mere force
of courage aided by skill in strategy drove from their strong
intrenchments the best soldiers of Germany, followers of the
great Frederick, who were fighting upon ground of their own
choice and with all the appointments of a regular campaign.
And it was the same Stark who with his New Hampshire sharp-
shooters covered the retreat of Prescott from Bunker Hill that
at Benniugton, leading the same sharpshooters reenforced by
the hunters of Berkshire and the Green Mountain Boys, made
the irresistible assault that again repulsed the enemy from the
invasion of New England. What Gage had attempted with a
fleet and a fortified town at his back, and what Bunker Hill
thwarted, was again essayed by Burgoyne from the other side of
New England with a loyal province and the alliance of savages
at his back. In neither attempt could the enemy march a mile
into the well-defended borders of New England, and never again
was the campaign renewed. Bunker Hill on the east, Benning-
ton on the west, gave fair warning to Old England that her
American namesake was not to be conquered by invasion; and a
few reckless marauders on the costs of Maine, Khode Island and
Connecticut in the succeeding years of the war only served to
call attention to the impregnable strength of New England.
It is because the battle of Bennington so well illustrates what
Action of Massachusetts. 24-1
was and must ever be the bulwark of New England that its
centennial commemoration should command the attention and
the cooperation of Massachusetts. Yet the part taken by
Massachusetts men in the battle was by no means a trifling one;
and if New Hampshire furnished the general and Vermont the
timely aid of her partisan warriors, our commonwealth sent to
the camp of Stark that picturesque accessory of the combat, a
fighting parson. The Keverend Thomas Allen of Pittsfield,
who at the head of his parishioners took an active part in the
battle, was a fit representative of the religious element which
entered so warmly into the American Revolution, and contributed
so much to its success. Having taught his people for years that
"resistance to tyrants was obedience to God," he was withheld
by no weak scruples from joining in the crusade he had preached,
and he handled his musket at Bennington as bravely as he
handled his Bible texts in Berkshire. He went to the fight not
so much a chaplain as a captain, and Stark had good cause to
praise his pious aid.
The situation of the national cause for some months before the
victory at Bennington was gloomy indeed. General Burgoyne
at the head of a large and confident army had moved rapidly
down from Quebec and early in July had compelled the evacu-
ation of Ticonderoga, which was looked upon as the key to New
England and New York. Flushed with victory he marched on
to unite with Sir William Howe on the Lower Hudson, whence,
as he thought, New England cut off from the rest of the colonies
would fall an easy prey. The northern colonies were in a panic;
Schuyler was distrusted and unpopular; Stark had retired from
the army in disgust; the towns of New York, Vermont and
Western New Hampshire were encouraged to take up arms
against their fellow-countrymen. At this crisis Burgoyne, heed-
less of danger but also impelled by the necessity of procuring
supplies, detached a body of men to ravage New York, and was
meditating a like detachment for Vermont and Massachusetts.
Reports of the impending danger reaching New Hampshire,
Stark was called from his retirement and put in command of a
small army raised " for the defense of this and the neighboring
242 Bennington Centennial.
states, to prevent the encroachments and ravages of the enemy
thereinto," as the New Hampshire legislature voted on the 18th
of July, 1777. The soldiers were on their march at once, and
before the first of August were in Vermont, where they were
joined by the Green Mountain Boys. General Stark was empow-
ered by his state to act independently of the national army, and
he refused to obey orders from General Schuyler to march his
men into New York. He knew where the danger was and how
the enemy should be met better than any one could tell him.
On the 9th of August he encamped at Bennington, the very day
on which Burgoyne issued his instructions to Colonel Baum. The
latter was directed to advance through Arlington, Manchester
and Rockingham to Brattleboro, and thence return through
Berkshire to Albany, where Burgoyne hoped to meet him early
in September, or even sooner. Baum set out on the llth of
August, which was Monday morning, and reached a hillside near
Bennington on the 13th, where he encamped with his whole
force of nearly one thousand men. Of these the greater part
were Germans, and they brought with them two pieces of
artillery. Finding himself opposed by Stark before he had fairly
entered New England, for his intrenched camp was in New
York, Baum sent back to Burgoyne for reinforcements. On
the morning of the 15th these reinforcements, consisting of two
German battalions and two pieces of cannon under the com-
mand of Colonel Breyman, left Burgoyne's army, only twenty-five
miles from Bennington, and marched, as he supposed, to join in
Baum's victory.
In the meantime Stark had tried in vain to draw Baum and
his men from their intrenchments so that they might fight on
fair terms with the ill-armed militia under his command. Find-
ing this impossible, he had been delayed by a pouring rain on
the 15th of August from making the attack upon which he had
determined. This delay it was that brought the men of Berk-
shire into the fight, which otherwise might have been won or lost
without them. They reached Bennington from the southward
on the night of the 15th, the soldiers marching on foot, and
Parson Allen driving through the muddy roads in his parochial
Action of Massachusetts. 243
chaise going to war in his chariot like one of the Old Testa-
ment kings. He reported himself for duty at once to the gray-
haired commander of the American forces, asking only to be
allowed to fight this time, since his parishioners had been so
often called out without firing a gun. " Among the reenforce-
ments from Berkshire," says Edward Everett in his Life of Stark,
"came a clergyman with a portion of his flock, resolved to make
bare the arm of flesh against the enemies of his country. Before
daylight on the morning of the 16th he addressed the com-
mander as follows : ' We, the people of Berkshire, have been
frequently called upon to fight, but have never been led against
the enemy. We have now resolved if you will not let us fight
never to turn out again.' General Stark asked if he wished to
march then, when it was dark and rainy. 'No,' was the
answer, 'not just this minute.' 'Then,' continued Stark, 'if
the Lord should once more give us sunshine and I do not give
you fighting enough I will never ask you to come again. ' "
Stark was as good as his word. When the sun rose on the
morning of Saturday, the 16th of August, the clouds broke
away and everything gave promise of a fine day. The American
commander had already formed his plan of battle. Sending
Colonel Moses Nichols, a New Hampshire physician, command-
ing the sixth regiment of militia in that state, and Colonel
Herrick of Vermont, with about two hundred and fifty men each,
to outflank the British intrenchments and attack them in the
rear, Stark himself, with his main body of five hundred men,
prepared to attack Baum in front. This small force he again
divided, sending Colonel David Hobart of the New Hampshire
twelfth regiment and Colonel Thomas Stickney of the eleventh
to attack the right wing of Baum with two hundred men, when
Nichols and Herrick should be heard attacking his rear. The
Massachusetts soldiers, being portions of Colonel Symonds' and
Colonel John Brown's regiments, and some volunteers from
Southern Berkshire (the two last named bodies commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel David Eossiter of Kichmond), were under
Stark's immediate orders, and it was to them that he made the
famous speech, "Boys, there's the enemy; we must whip them
24:4 Bennington Centennial.
before sundown or Molly Stark will be a widow to-night."
Parson Allen addressed his companions in more scriptural phrase,
and offered prayer in their name to the God of battles. Then
going forward with them he was one of the first to fire his
musket at the Tory outworks of Baum's fortified camp (provoked
by shots from his false countrymen whom he was warning of
their sin in fighting against the United States). Tradition
reports him as mounting upon the temporary pulpit of a fallen
tree in full view of the Eoyal Rangers, as the Tories called
themselves, and there declaiming and exhorting. The Tories
paid little heed to his words, but they recognized his slender,
youthful figure, clad in black, and shouting, " There's Parson
Allen let's pop him!" they let fly a hailstorm of bullets. He
stepped down unharmed, reserving the rest of his discourse for a
more quiet opportunity, and turning to his brother, Lieutenant
Joseph Allen, who had followed him to the front, said, " Now
give me my musket ; you load and I'll fire." Little harm was
probably done by his shots at this time ; but later in the fight
observing a flash and a shot often repeated from :t certain bush,
at which one of Stark's men usually fell, Parson Allen, as he
used to say afterwards, "fired that way and put the flash out."
"Precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon," writes General
Stark in his official dispatch, " Colonel Nichols commenced the
attack, which was followed by all the rest. I pushed forward
the remainder with all speed ; our people behaved with the
greatest spirit and courage imaginable. Had they been
Alexanders or Charles of Sweden they could not have behaved
better." The farmers of Berkshire, the militia men from New
Hampshire, the hardy Green Mountain Boys fresh from the
scythe and the hayfield and stripped to their shirts because of
the hot day, advanced like veterans through fire and smoke and
" mounted breastworks that were well fortified and defended
with cannon." "It was the hottest fight," Stark said, "that he
had ever seen ; it was like one continued clap of thunder. " The
men behind the fortifications were German artillerists and dis-
mounted dragoons, English grenadiers, Tory volunteers, and
Indian warriors. The latter, numbering a hundred and more,
fled early in the engagement, finding themselves caught in a trap
Action of Massachusetts. 245
by their old antagonist Stark, whom some of them had met
in the French war. The cannon were well served, and the regu-
lar troops fought gallantly, but the Americans rushed up almost
to the cannon's mouth, and shot down the gunners with little
loss to themselves. Baum at last attempted a sally, but was him-
self mortally wounded in leading it. " Then," says Stark, " we
forced their breastworks at the muzzles of their guns," and the
first encounter was over.
The victorious yeomanry, at five o'clock in the afternoon, now
began to pursue and to plunder with the pardonably license of
conquerors; While thus occupied, Breyman, with his reenforce-
ments, was reported within two miles of the battle field. Stark
began to collect his men for a second encounter, and, while doing
so, Breyman, rallying the British fugitives and threatening to
turn the defeat into a victory, advanced half way to Baum's cap-
tured intrenchments. Colonel Kossiter of Berkshire now distin-
guished himself, and Stark turned upon Breyman the cannon he
had just captured ; but the fight was won a second time by the
Green Mountain regiment of Colonel Seth "Warner, one hundred
and fifty in number, who were sent fresh into action, and, with
the aid of the other regiments, drove Breyman, at sunset, from
the field. "Then," said Stark, "we pursued them till dark,
when I was obliged to halt for fear of killing my own men. We
killed upwards of two hundred of the enemy on the field of
battle. I have one lieutenant-colonel (since dead), one major,
seven captains, fourteen lieutenants, four ensigns, two cornets,
one judge-advocate, one baron, two Canadian officers, six ser-
geants, one aid-de-camp, and seven hundred prisoners." Stark
adds, with arithmetical precision, " I almost forgot one Hessian
chaplain." " Gentlemen," he concludes, addressing his superiors
in New Hampshire, " I think we have returned the enemy a
proper compliment in the above action for the Hubbard-town
engagement."* The actual loss of the British was about one
thousand men ; while of the Americans less than eighty were
killed and wounded.
Parson Allen not only opened the battle with prayer and con-
* A skirmish on the yth of July, in which Fraser and Riedesel had captured or killed
more than two hundred men of New Hampshire and Vermont, not far from Ticonderoga.
246 Bennington Centennial.
tinned it with musketry, but he wrote an account of it at night,
which was sent to Hartford and printed in the Connecticut
"Couranf'of August 25. After describing the movement of
Burgoyne to ravage Vermont, Mr. Allen says : "This digression
was of such ill tendency, and savored so much of presumption
that General Stark, who was at that time providentially at Ben-
nington with his brigade of militia from New Hampshire state,
determined to give him battle. The General, it seems, wisely
laid his plan of operation ; and Divine Providence blessing us
with good weather, between three and four o'clock P. M., he
attacked them in front and in flank, in three or four different
places at the same instant, with irresistible impetuosity. The
action was extremely hot for between two and three hours. The
flanking divisions had carried their points with great success,
when the front pressed on to their breastworks with an ardor and
patience beyond expectation. The blaze of the guns of the con-
tending parties reached each other. * * * This action,
which redounds to the glory of the great Lord of the heavens
and God of armies, affords the Americans a lasting monument of
the divine power and goodness, and a most powerful argument
of love to and trust in God. The victory is thought by some to
equal any that has happened during the present controversy, and
as long as prudence, moderation, sobriety and valor are of any
estimation among these United States will not fail to endear
General Stark to them. It is the opinion of some that if a large
body of militia was now called to act in conjunction with our
northern army the enemy might be entirely overthrown." This
opinion was confirmed by what soon happened. General Gates
took command at Albany three days afterward, and with large
reinforcements had checked the march of Burgoyne at Stillwater
a few weeks later. About the 20th of October, Stark having
consented to serve under Gates and placed himself in the rear of
Burgoyne, that general surrendered his whole army.
The victory won at Bennington was indeed complete, and its
results were out of all proportion to the number of men engaged.
Napoleon scoffed at our Revolution as "a war of skirmishes,"
but they were decisive skirmishes and therefore quite as effective
Action of Massachusetts. 247
as Austerlitz, Jena, or Waterloo. This three hours' fight among
the Green Mountains determined the fate of Burgoyne's splendid
campaign, which had been arranged in cabinet councils at Lon-
don, and promoted by the mercenary princes of Germany, who
sold their subjects to fill their own purses. From the day that
the British general received back the weary fugitives escaping
from Stark's guns his army was doomed to defeat and capture.
Unable to gather supplies by ranging the country, and weakened
in his fighting force by the loss of nearly a tenth part of his
army, Burgoyne soon saw that advance was impossible. Delay-
ing to retreat from pride and shame he felt the net of Gates
and Stark slowly closing about him, and within nine weeks from
the battle of Bennington he surrendered his 6,000 fighting men
at Saratoga. In the journal of the Baroness Riedesel, whose
husband was one of Burgoyne's most trusted German officers, we
read that in his opinion the battle of Bennington "paralyzed at
once the operations of the British army." So important at the
critical moment was the heroic achievement of Stark and his
farmer-soldiers.
It was in this light that the general court of Massachusetts
regarded it when at their next session, in December, 1777/they
acknowledged the receipt of the trophies of Bennington which
now hang in the Senate chamber, and returned thanks to Gen-
eral Stark, who had sent them "the tokens of victory at the
memorable battle of Bennington." "The events of the day/'
the letter of the general court goes on to say, "strongly mark
the bravery of the men who, unskilled in war, forced from their
intrenchments a chosen number of veteran troops of boasted
Britons, as well as the address and valor of the general who
directed their movements and led them on to conquest. This
signal exploit opened the way to a rapid succession of advantages
most important to America."
It is a just acknowledgment of these results, and as a becoming
tribute to John Stark and his men, that the commonwealth of
Massachusetts is now asked to unite with her sister states of Ver-
mont and New Hampshire in commemorating so glorious an
achievement.
The committee are of opinion that a battle so brilliant in
248 Bennington Centennial.
execution and decisive in results, and one in which Massachusetts
took so conspicuous and honorable part, may properly receive
the cooperation of this commonwealth in celebrating its centen-
nial anniversary and in erecting a memorial monument. They
therefore report the accompanying resolves.
[Signed.] E. H. KELLOGG,
HENRY C. EWING,
Of the Senate.
JUSTIN DEWEY,
F. W. BIRD,
FREDERICK HATHAWAY,
F. N. THAYER,
WM. A. READ,
Of the House.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. IN THE YEAR ONE THOU-
SAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN.
Resolves relating to the Celebration of the Centennial Anni-
versary of the Battle of Bennington, and in aid of erecting a
Monument in commemoration of the same.
Resolved, That the legislature of Massachusetts accepts the
invitation of the governor of Vermont, transmitted by direction
of the legislature of the state, to unite with the states of Ver-
mont and New Hampshire in commemorating the centennial
anniversary of the battle of Bennington on the sixteenth of
August next.
Resolved, That a sum not exceeding seven thousand five hun-
dred dollars be allowed and paid out of the treasury in aid of the
erection of a monument in commemoration of the battle of Ben-
nington, to be paid to the treasurer of the Bennington Battle
Monument Association, a corporation established under the laws
of Vermont, at such times and in such sums as his excellency
the governor may direct. Provided, that no part of such sum
shall be paid until the plans of said monument shall be approved
by the governor, and until he shall be satisfied that funds are
provided from other sources, including the sum herein appropri-
ated, sufficient to complete the monument according to the plans
approved by him. Approved April 26, 1877.
Action of Massachusetts. 249
Resolve concerning the " Trophies of the Battle of Bennington,"
now in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol.
Resolved, That the trophies of the battle of Bennington, now
in the Senate chamber of the capitol, be transported to Ben-
nington, Vermont, on the occasion of the approaching centennial
celebration of that important event ; and that for this purpose
the adjutant-general be authorized to take charge of these cher-
ished memorials ; and that he be enjoined to use due care in
transporting, preserving and returning them to their present
place in this capitol. Approved May 9, 1877.
EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT-GEN-
ERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS CONCERNING THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT BENNINGTON.
"At the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington
there was an extensive military display by organizations from
several states ; the militia of Massachusetts being represented
by the first corps of cadets, as escort to the executive and legis-
lative branches of the government.
"The expressions of regret and manifestations of sympathy
occasioned by the absence and illness of your excellency were
universal. At the request of the chief marshal, Major A. B.
Valentine, representing the Vermont Centennial Commission,
Colonel Isaac F. Kingsbury, assistant adjutant-general, waa
appointed assistant marshal from Massachusetts.
" In making preparations for the visit to Bennington, it became
apparent that in so small a town adequate accommodations could
not reasonably be expected for the great numbers of people who
would be attracted thither. The scrgeant-at-arms was of this
opinion, and provided for members of the legislature at the hotels
in North Adams, and by special train to and from Bennington,
on the day of the celebration. It was at first proposed to estab-
lish a camp for the cadets near that of the First Vermont In-
fantry ; but this idea was abandoned, as it involved not only ad-
ditional expense for transportation and labor, but the risk of not
being able to return the camp equipage in season for use of the
2. r >0 Bennington Centennial.
Second Brigade dt South Framingham on the Monday following.
Subsequent events proved the wisdom of the plans finally adopted
, for the executive department and the escort, in the employment
of a train of sleeping cars with hotel arrangements on board,
v which left Boston at 3:30 o'clock, P. M., of August 15th, and
f arrived in Bennington at half-past twelve o'clock midnight,
where it was placed on a side track*, near the grounds reserved
for the exercises after the procession had completed its route.
(Members of the Bennington Reception Committee were in wait-
ing, and conducted his honor the lieutenant-governor to the
Putnam House, and the executive council, attorney-general,
and heads of departments to a private residence. The staff and
cadets remained on board the train.
"Despite the showers of the following morning, the cadets
were promptly in the place assigned them at the head of the
Massachusetts Division, escorting his honor the lieutenant-
governor and other state officials from the hotel.
" Wherever the cadets appeared during their stay, they were
.most cordially received. The dress parade of the corps in the
afternoon, before his honor the lieutenant-governor, was wit-
,nessed by a great throng of people, who heartily applauded at the
conclusion of the ceremony. A detail from the First Vermont
Infantry was furnished, by the courtesy of Colonel Peck, com-
manding, to keep clear a space sufficient for the parade.
" The departure from Bennington was delayed till midnight, on
account of the railroads being taxed to their utmost capacity in
.moving special trains. An opportunity was thus given to witness
the torchlight procession and the magnificent illuminations in
the camp of the militia and veterans and throughout the town.
" Arriving in Boston shortly after ten o'clock on the morning
of the 17th, his honor, the lieutenant-governor, and other state
officials were escorted to the capitol, when the cadets returned
to their armory. The entire journey was accomplished without
accident. The arrangements for transportation and sustenance
* This side track was constructed under direction of Sergeant- at-Arms Captain O. F
Mitchell, of material sent from Hoosac Tunnel line, and was used for the trains of the
executive and legislative party.
Action of jffassachiisetts. 251
were in every respect complete, and reflect great credit upon the
quartermaster of the cadets, First Lieutenant Charles C. Melcher.
"Under resolves of 1877, chapter 62, the trophies of the battle
of Bennington, consisting of a drum, sword, grenadier's cap, and
a musket, were taken to Bennington, and placed on exhibition
during the centennial celebration, Mr. George Carleton, an
employe of the sergeaut-at-arms, was detailed, at my request, to
accompany these trophies during their absence ; and they were
constantly under his eye until their safe return to the capitol."
Under the resolve providing for the legislative visit to the
Bennington Centennial, arrangements were carefully made by
Captain 0. F. Mitch-ell, sergeant-at-arms, the appropriation
($2,500) being ample for the purpose. A special train was pro-
vided over the Fitchburg railroad which left Boston at 2:30
P. M., August 15th, and arrived at North Adams at 7:40 P. M,
Here accommodations at the three principal hotels, Wilson,
Ballon aad Eichrnond, had been secured. Hon, J. B. D.
Coggswell, president of the Senate, and Hon. John D. Long,
speaker of the House, were of the party which numbered thirty
senators and one hundred and seventy-five representatives.
Eesuming the journey at 7:30 A. M., next day, the arrival at
Bennington, after vexatious delays, was in season for participa-
tion in the great procession and other exercises of the day.
The legislative train placed upon the siding with that of the
governor and suite, rendered it possible even with the over-
crowded cond.tion of the railroad to get away at a seasonable
hour.
Leaving Bennington at 7 o'clock P. M., the night was spent at
North Adams, and Boston reached in safety about 2 P. M.,
August 17th.
A unanimous vote of thanks to Sergcant-at-Arms Mitchell for
his complete and successful arrangements was an interesting
incident of the homeward journey.
252' &6rirwngfoni Centennial.
TO MARSHALS AND STAFF OFFICERS OF THE PRO-
CESSION OF AUGUST 15TH AND ICTH, AT BENNING-
TON, VT.
BENNINGTON, Vt., August 20,. 1877.
Gentlemen: The just and lenient criticism and generous
expression of approval by the press and distinguished citizens of
the country, warrants me in congratulating you upon the result
of our labors in organizing and carrying out successfully the
programme of procession in which you acted so important a part.
You have done cheerfully whatever was required, even in some-
matters which did not directly pertain to the department in
which you consented to act, and have done much in every way
to bring to a happy issue this celebration of the centennial
anniversaries of the independence of Vermont and the glorious
victory of Bennington.
In behalf of myself and many who have taken a deep interest
in this celebration, allow me, gentlemen, to thank you for your
labors and congratulate you upon their consummation and their
results.
I am sure you will also unite with me in thanks to General J.
N. Patterson of New Hampshire, and Colonel I. F. Kingsbury of
Massachusetts, who, by request, were named by their Excellencies
Governors B. F. Prescott and Alexander II, Rice, as assistants
to the chief marshal, representing their respective states.
Much of onr r success is due to the presence, active cooperation,
and valuable counsel of these gentlemen, for which they have my
hearty thanks. Again thanking you all,
I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
A. B. VALENTINE, Chief Marshal
ERRATA.
At page 174, end of first paragraph, add as follows :
On the night of the 14th, after ascertaining the position of the enemy,
Stark called a council, consisting of the leading members of the Council of
Safety as well as of Colonels Warner nncl Herrick and other military officers,
in which a plan for attacking the enemy was discussed and adopted, and it
\yas agreed that the attack should be made the next morning. But the 15th
Was so excessively rainy as to prevent any attempt at a general action.
Scouts were however sent ont some of which were engaged in successful
ekirinisheo.
TIIE BATTLE.
