battle battle battle american revolutionary war campaign took place august new_york miles namesake vermont rebel force men primarily composed new_hampshire massachusetts led general reinforced vermont led colonel members decisively defeated detachment general army led lieutenant colonel supported additional men lieutenant colonel detachment mixed force composed primarily including small amounts canadians loyalists indians sent raid disputed area horses draft animals supplies believing town lightly defended unaware stark stationed rain caused stark men position taking prisoners killing reinforcements sides arrived stark men battle restarted warner stark driving away reinforcements heavy casualties battle decisive victory rebel cause reduced army size men led indian support largely abandon deprived needed supplies cavalry draft horses food factors contributed eventual surrender victory colonial support independence movement played key role bringing france war rebel battle anniversary celebrated state vermont battle day background american revolutionary war years old british changed plans giving rebellious new_england colonies decided split new_england british believed loyal southern colonies british command devised grand plan divide colonies way movement western command repulsed siege fort failed southern progress hudson valley new_york_city started general decided instead capture philadelphia northern proceeding southward montreal enjoyed success british victories fort anne general proceeded campaign goal capturing albany gaining control force plan went meet dividing colonies british forces progress albany initially met great success including scattering men advance slowed crawl late july logistical difficulties exacerbated american destruction key road army supplies began concern supplies early august received word howe howe going philadelphia fact going advance hudson_river valley response proposal july commander german troops baron sent detachment troops command lieutenant colonel foraging mission acquire horses german draft animals assist moving army harass enemy detachment primarily regiment way joined local companies loyalists canadians indians company british originally ordered proceed connecticut river valley believed horses preparing leave verbally changed goal supply depot believed guarded remnants warner brigade colonial militia american forces unknown citizens new hampshire grants territory disputed new_york vermont republic appealed states new_hampshire massachusetts protection invading army following british capture new_hampshire responded july authorizing raise militia defense people annoyance enemy funds provided stark raised new_hampshire space days percent new_hampshire male population age sixteen marched fort number modern new_hampshire crossed river border grants stopped manchester stark conferred warner manchester general promotion preference stark cause stark resignation continental_army attempted assert army authority stark men stark refused stating solely responsible new_hampshire authorities stark went warner guide warner men remained manchester lincoln returned american camp general hatched plan lincoln men join stark warner actions harass communications supply lines movements significantly altered plans prelude germans left camp fort edward august marched waited joined indians company british company marched august minor skirmishes way learned prisoners taken sizable force place august men encountered detachment stark men sent investigate reports indians area stark men retreated destroying bridge delay advance stark receiving word approaching force sent request manchester support moved troops force setting defensive line sent message following contact indicating american force larger expected likely retreat advanced miles neared stark position realized message incorrect sent second message requesting reinforcements day half preventing battle time men constructed small crest hill hoped weather prevent americans attacking reinforcements arrived stark sent probe german lines managed kill thirty indians spite difficulties keeping gunpowder dry reinforcements sides marched 15th travel difficult heavy rains sent men warner company came south manchester lieutenant command late night august stark awakened arrival band massachusetts nearby insisted joining force response minister fiery threat men come allowed participate stark reported said dark rainy night people tell rest lord gives sunshine fighting come stark forces day arrival indians bringing force excluding warner men nearly men stark unexpected reinforcements force grew group local loyalists arrived camp morning august battle afternoon august weather cleared stark ordered men ready attack stark reputed rallied troops saying fight natural born rights added enemies night sleeps widow hearing militia melted away woods assumed americans retreating stark decided capitalize weaknesses german widely distributed position sent sizable flanking parties lines movements assisted ruse employed stark men enabled closer safely opposing forces germans spoke english told soldiers bits white paper hat loyalists fired stark men heard suitably adorned hats fighting broke german position immediately surrounded gunfire stark described hottest engagement witnessed resembling continual thunder loyalists indian positions overrun causing flee surrender left trapped high ground germans fought running low powder destruction ammunition wagon desperation led sabre charge attempt break forces charge failed causing massive amounts german casualties gaining ground rebels mortally wounded final charge remaining germans surrendered battle ended stark busy prisoners looting supplies arrived reinforcements seeing americans disarray immediately pressed attack hastily stark forces tried hold ground new german onslaught began fall lines collapsed warner men arrived scene reinforce stark troops pitched battle continued dark sides began hasty retreat lost quarter force artillery pieces aftermath total german british losses recorded dead captured american losses included americans dead wounded battle times particularly brutal loyalists met patriots cases came communities prisoners kept eventually marched boston army cross hudson august word battle arrived believing reinforcements necessary marched army word arrived remnants force returning continued arrive day night word disaster spread camp effect campaign significant lost nearly men half regulars lost crucial indian support council following battle indians traveled quebec decided home loss severely hampered reconnaissance efforts days come failure bring nearby supplies meant rely supply lines dangerously long eventually broke september shortage supplies significant factor decision surrender following france entered war reacted news battle optimism especially indian screen left small groups local patriots began emerge harass fringes british positions significant portion stark force returned home influential campaign appearing october complete army reward memorable battle suit clothes rank reward stark likely valued highest message thanks president included commission brigadier army united_states order battle battle forces generally described numbers generally consistent sources british units disagreement wide array sources number troops generally listed approximately incorrect identifying american units identifies having separate command apparently led companies regiment failed include massachusetts militia company erroneously believing worcester massachusetts militia companies worcester area marched companies arriving day battle originally raised company cavalry unit august legal holiday vermont known battlefield new_york state historic site designated january added national_register_of_historic_places october 1870s local historic society commissioned design construction battle monument complete dedicated ceremonies attended president monument feet high listed national_register_of_historic_places monument ready time mark centennial battle 100th anniversary battle marked speeches attended president
Battle of Bennington