Battle of Bennington Monument
by Stephen Stookey
Title
Battle of Bennington Monument
Artist
Stephen Stookey
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Dedicated in 1891 the Bennington Battle Monument commemorates the 16 August 1777 American victory over British forces at the battle of Bennington. The victory thwarted British plans to cut New England off from the remainder of the American colonies and is credited with the eventual surrender of General Burgoyne's 8,000 man army following the Battle of Saratoga--a major turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Gen. Burgoyne, seeking supplies housed at the Bennington arsenal depot (located on the current monument site) dispatched two detachments to raid the munitions supply. Vermont, recognizing the British advance, requested help from Hew Hampshire to slow the Brits. Help came Brigadier General John Stark and 2,000 untrained volunteers from Vermont, New Hampshire and Berkshire County (MA). Gen. Stark, acting under authority from New Hampshire rather than in concert with the Continental Army, surprised Burgoyne's troops at Waloomsac, NY, on 16 August 1777--about 5 miles northwest of the Bennington arsenal depot. Legend records Stark rally his troops with the words "There are the Red Coast; they will be ours or tonight Molly Stark sleeps a widow." With victory in sight for the Yankees a second detachment from Burgoyne's troops surprised the Stark and the weary Americans. With victory no in doubt at day's end Colonel Seth Warner and his Green Mountain Boys arrived, turning the battle in favor of the Americans. Burgoyne's blunder at Bennington depleted his troops and supplies, leaving the Brits vulnerable at the Battles of Saratoga (September 19 & October 7, 1777). General Burgoyne surrendered his entire 8,000 man army following the October Battle of Saratoga.
Available in canvas, metal, acrylic or traditional print formats with customizable framing options, this fine art photographic image is the perfect wall art compliment for home, office or business.
Home Page Special Feature
New England Photographs
3/12/2016
Uploaded
June 17th, 2015
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