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Domestic News
September 5, 1777
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
American forces under Brigadier General Stark achieved a decisive victory over a British-Hessian-Tory force of about 1500 at Bennington on August 16, 1777, capturing over 700 prisoners, artillery, and baggage, with enemy losses estimated at 200 killed and 80 wounded. U.S. casualties: 20-30 killed, 50 wounded. Reported via General Schuyler to Congress.
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PHILADELPHIA, August 22.
By an express arrived last evening from General Schuyler to Congress, we have the following important intelligence.
Van Schaick's island, in the mouth of the Mohawk river, Aug. 11, 1777.
SIR,
I have the honour to congratulate Congress on the signal victory obtained by General Stark; an account whereof is contained in the following letter from General Lincoln, which I this moment have had the happiness to receive, together with General Burgoyne's instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Bern, copy whereof is enclosed.
Dear General,
Bennington, August 18.
The late signal success of a body of about 2000 troops, mostly militia, under the command of Brigadier General Stark, in this part of the country, on the 16th instant, over a party of about 1500 of the enemy, who came out with a manifest design to possess themselves of this town, as will appear by the enclosed, is an event happy and important.
Our troops behaved in a very brave and heroick manner; they pushed the enemy from one work to another, thrown up on advantageous ground, and from different posts, with spirit and fortitude, until they gained a complete victory over them.
The following is the best list I have been able to obtain of their prisoners, their killed and wounded, viz. One Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Major, 5 Captains, 12 Lieutenants, 4 Ensigns, 2 Cornets, 1 Judge Advocate, 1 Baron, 2 Canadian officers, and 3 surgeons, 37 British soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadians, and 151 Tories taken. The number of wounded fallen into our hands, exclusive of the above, are about 80. The number of their slain has not yet been ascertained, as they fought on the retreat for several miles in a wood, but supposed to be about 200.
Their artillery, which consisted of 4 brass field pieces, with a considerable quantity of baggage, likewise fell into our hands.
We have heard nothing of Burgoyne or his army for these two days past.
The prisoners are sent into the State of Massachusetts Bay, except the Tories; shall wait your directions respecting them, as most of them belong to the State of New York.
I am, dear General,
With regard and esteem, your very humble servant,
B. LINCOLN.
N. B. We had about 20 or 30 killed in the action, and perhaps 50 wounded.
Copy of orders from Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to Lieutenant Colonel Bern, dated near Saratoga, August 14, 1777.
SIR,
The accounts you have given me are very satisfactory, and I doubt not every proceeding under your direction will be the same. I beg the favour of you to report whether the route you have marched would be practicable for a large corps with cannon, without repair, or with what sort of repair. The desirable circumstance, at present, for your corps, is to possess Bennington; but should you find the enemy too strongly posted, and maintaining such a countenance as would make a coup de main too hazardous, I wish you to take such a post as you can maintain till you hear farther from me, and upon your report, and other circumstances, I will either support you in force, or withdraw you. Will you please to send to my camp, as soon as you can, waggons and draught cattle, and likewise such other cattle as are not necessary for your subsistence. Let the waggons and carts bring off what flour and wheat they can, that you do not retain for the same purpose. I will write to you in full to morrow, in regard to purchasing horses out of the hands of the savages. In the mean time, let them be assured, that whatever you select from them fit to mount the dragoons shall be paid for at a proper price.
I have the honour to be, with great esteem, yours, &c.
Lieut. Col. Bern.
J.
BURGOYNE, Lieut. Gen.
I am in hopes that Congress will very soon have the satisfaction to learn that General Arnold has raised the siege of Fort Schuyler. If that takes place, I believe it will be possible to engage 200 or 300 Indians to join this army, and Congress may rest assured that my best endeavours shall not be wanting to accomplish it.
I am informed that General Gates arrived at Albany yesterday.
Major Livingston, one of my aids, will have the honour to deliver you this despatch.
I am, Sir, with every sentiment of respect,
Your most obedient humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.
The Honourable John Hancock, Esquire.
Published by order of Congress.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
By an express arrived last evening from General Schuyler to Congress, we have the following important intelligence.
Van Schaick's island, in the mouth of the Mohawk river, Aug. 11, 1777.
SIR,
I have the honour to congratulate Congress on the signal victory obtained by General Stark; an account whereof is contained in the following letter from General Lincoln, which I this moment have had the happiness to receive, together with General Burgoyne's instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Bern, copy whereof is enclosed.
Dear General,
Bennington, August 18.
The late signal success of a body of about 2000 troops, mostly militia, under the command of Brigadier General Stark, in this part of the country, on the 16th instant, over a party of about 1500 of the enemy, who came out with a manifest design to possess themselves of this town, as will appear by the enclosed, is an event happy and important.
Our troops behaved in a very brave and heroick manner; they pushed the enemy from one work to another, thrown up on advantageous ground, and from different posts, with spirit and fortitude, until they gained a complete victory over them.
The following is the best list I have been able to obtain of their prisoners, their killed and wounded, viz. One Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Major, 5 Captains, 12 Lieutenants, 4 Ensigns, 2 Cornets, 1 Judge Advocate, 1 Baron, 2 Canadian officers, and 3 surgeons, 37 British soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadians, and 151 Tories taken. The number of wounded fallen into our hands, exclusive of the above, are about 80. The number of their slain has not yet been ascertained, as they fought on the retreat for several miles in a wood, but supposed to be about 200.
Their artillery, which consisted of 4 brass field pieces, with a considerable quantity of baggage, likewise fell into our hands.
We have heard nothing of Burgoyne or his army for these two days past.
The prisoners are sent into the State of Massachusetts Bay, except the Tories; shall wait your directions respecting them, as most of them belong to the State of New York.
I am, dear General,
With regard and esteem, your very humble servant,
B. LINCOLN.
N. B. We had about 20 or 30 killed in the action, and perhaps 50 wounded.
Copy of orders from Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to Lieutenant Colonel Bern, dated near Saratoga, August 14, 1777.
SIR,
The accounts you have given me are very satisfactory, and I doubt not every proceeding under your direction will be the same. I beg the favour of you to report whether the route you have marched would be practicable for a large corps with cannon, without repair, or with what sort of repair. The desirable circumstance, at present, for your corps, is to possess Bennington; but should you find the enemy too strongly posted, and maintaining such a countenance as would make a coup de main too hazardous, I wish you to take such a post as you can maintain till you hear farther from me, and upon your report, and other circumstances, I will either support you in force, or withdraw you. Will you please to send to my camp, as soon as you can, waggons and draught cattle, and likewise such other cattle as are not necessary for your subsistence. Let the waggons and carts bring off what flour and wheat they can, that you do not retain for the same purpose. I will write to you in full to morrow, in regard to purchasing horses out of the hands of the savages. In the mean time, let them be assured, that whatever you select from them fit to mount the dragoons shall be paid for at a proper price.
I have the honour to be, with great esteem, yours, &c.
Lieut. Col. Bern.
J.
BURGOYNE, Lieut. Gen.
I am in hopes that Congress will very soon have the satisfaction to learn that General Arnold has raised the siege of Fort Schuyler. If that takes place, I believe it will be possible to engage 200 or 300 Indians to join this army, and Congress may rest assured that my best endeavours shall not be wanting to accomplish it.
I am informed that General Gates arrived at Albany yesterday.
Major Livingston, one of my aids, will have the honour to deliver you this despatch.
I am, Sir, with every sentiment of respect,
Your most obedient humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.
The Honourable John Hancock, Esquire.
Published by order of Congress.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military
What keywords are associated?
Bennington Battle
Stark Victory
Burgoyne Defeat
Hessian Prisoners
American Revolution
What entities or persons were involved?
General Stark
General Lincoln
General Burgoyne
Lieutenant Colonel Bern
General Schuyler
John Hancock
Where did it happen?
Bennington
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Bennington
Event Date
August 16, 1777
Key Persons
General Stark
General Lincoln
General Burgoyne
Lieutenant Colonel Bern
General Schuyler
John Hancock
Outcome
american forces: 20-30 killed, about 50 wounded. enemy: about 200 killed, 80 wounded captured, 688 prisoners (including 1 lt. col., 1 major, 5 captains, etc., 37 british, 398 hessians, 38 canadians, 151 tories), 4 brass field pieces and baggage captured.
Event Details
A body of about 2000 American troops, mostly militia, under Brigadier General Stark, defeated a party of about 1500 enemy troops attempting to possess Bennington. Americans pushed the enemy from defensive works to achieve complete victory.