aug 16, 1777 - Battle of Bennington

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As General John Burgoyne moved south from Canada as a part of the British effort to separate New England from the rest of the colonies, his supply chain was increasing in length and becoming less and less reliable. Burgoyne decided to push into Bennington, Vermont to establish a new and better supply route. Burgoyne dispatched a raiding force of 800 Germans, led by German Colonel Friedrich Baum to take over Bennington. On August 14, the American militia lost a small skirmish against Baum near Bennington. The Next day, on August 15, the American force in the area grew to 1,100 men. On August 16, General John Stark led a multi pronged attack against Baum, crippling his defenses. The British and German regulars defended their positions until they ran out of ammunition. Once out of ammo, Baum ordered the cavalry to attack with sabers as a desperate attempt to break out. Baum was fatally wounded and the rest of the forces surrendered. 30 Americans died, and 42 more were wounded. 207 British were killed and 700 were captured. Bennington, Vermont was still under the control of the Americans at the end of the day. Burgoyne's loss at Bennington was the precursor to his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga.

Bluhm, Raymond K. "Battle of Bennington." Encyclopædia Britannica. August 09, 2018. Accessed October 15, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Bennington-1777.

"Battle of Bennington Facts & Summary." American Battlefield Trust. January 26, 2018. Accessed October 15, 2018. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/bennington.

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