With the upcoming semiquincentennial (250-year) anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies from Imperial British rule, I decided I should start a series of geocaches highlighting well known and lesser known parts of history regarding the American War of Independence.
Battle of Bennington
In August of 1777, British forces, including Hessians mercenaries, American & Canadian loyalist militia, and Iroquois volunteers, were marching from Quebec towards Albany, New York to gain control of the Hudson River. Despite early successes at Fort Ticonderoga, Hubbardton, and Fort Anne, the British were having difficulty with supplies.
Reports from scouts stated there were supplies in Bennington, Vermont and were guarded by 400 demoralized American revolutionaries.
So a detachment was sent to continue to demoralize the Americans and secure the much needed supplies.
But, in fact, there were nearly 1,500 militiamen who were eager to fight and defend the supplies.
When word was received by the American militiamen there were British approaching their position, additional militia and Stockbridge Mohican allies arrived as reinforcements - pushing the total number of troops well over 2,000. Orders were quickly sent out to leave Bennington and create defensive positions in front of the British advance.
When the British scouts reported the American militia was leaving the city and slipping into the woods, the British commander thought the "demorlized militia" was retreating and leaving the supplies unguarded.
As the British forces approach Bennington, the Americans were able to systematically isolate each contigent of the British. The Hessians, the loyalists, and the Iroquois all fell, captured, retreated, or deserted.
The British retreated without their precious supplies, their allies, and their irreplacable dead.
Although the British continued to push on towards Albany, they never recovered from the loss and ultimately surrendered later in the year at the Battle of Saratoga (GCB7Z1M).
American Patriot Isreal Warner was at the Battle of Bennington and is buried in Big Woods Cemetery in Kane County. You can visit the site when you attempt the Big Woods Cemetery (GC9RC40) multi-cache.
What is the name of one of the Vermont militias that participated in the Battle of Bennington?
- Culpeper Minutemen = N 41° 22.476′ W 88° 35.622′
- Green Mountain Boys = N 41° 22.996' W 88° 35.651'
- Newcomb's Regiment of Foot = N 41° 22.705′ W 88° 35.648′