by Bea Peterson
Visitors had ample opportunities from morning to evening to relive history on Saturday, August 16, at the Bennington Battlefield and the Barnett Homestead. Members of the Walloomsac Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Ondawa Cambridge Chapter of N.S.D.A.R. had their usual detailed display of Battle paintings and writings as well as handouts on the top of the hill at the Battlefield. Members of the 2nd Continental Regiment of Artillery, Al Bartlett and Jim Hilton, talked to visitors about the cannon and their soldier’s lives. Eric Snitzer described the life of a German soldier in this war.
At the Barnett Homestead visitors talked with Joe Craig from the Saratoga National Historical Park who portrays a Revolutionary War surgeon. He described in detail the hardships of those times such as men waiting more than 24 hours for care of their wounds, unsanitary conditions and amputations. Rick Salazar of the Eastern Woodlands Alliance portrayed a Native American and described his campsite and weapons.
Phyllis Chapman of the Vintage Voices churned butter and cooked outdoors. Inside the house other members of the group described the battle and gave tours of the house.
Peter Schaaphok of the Brigade of the American Revolution portrayed General John Stark while he took visitors on tours of the actual battlefields.
In the evening people gathered at the Battlefield for the solemn cannon and musket salutes and placing of wreaths at the monument. Battlefield event coordinator and S.A.R. member John Sheaff said, “We are not here to glorify war but to commemorate this historic event and to remember the sacrifice made by so many over the years.”
Bringing The Past To Life
As part of the evening program Peter Schaaphok read General Stark’s report of the Battle of Bennington and Paul Loding read a German surgeon’s report of the Battle and his capture. Ingrid Schaaphok opened a window to history in her composite portrayal of Emma Reuter and her compatriots. All her comments are copyrighted by the Brigade of the American Revolution. She began, “Welcome to you all! I am Mistress Emma Reuter from the town of Dutch Hoosick, a bit south of here. I am sure that you all have heard the news that a detachment of Germans, British Rangers and Indian Allies, under Colonel Baum, are headed this way to seize the stores at Bennington. To thwart the plans of General Burgoyne and his foreign minions, a call-to-arms has been raised. And yesterday, my husband set out with his militia company to join the fray. But I have just learned that he may have been wounded, and perhaps fallen into the hands of the enemy! As I have some knowledge of the physic, I most ardently wish to minister to him myself. My duty being clear, I have set out to find him.
While venturing on my unhappy quest, I have met many others swept up by these turbulent times – some performing their duty, others pursuing profit, and many the sad victims of circumstance. Today I would like, if I may, to introduce you to a few of the people I have met on my travels…
General John Stark hails from New Hampshire. He is a veteran of the French and Indian War where he served with Rogers’ Rangers. In the current conflict, he led his New Hampshire troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and then served for a time in the Continental Army. A talented and experienced officer, he has become disillusioned with Congressional politics, as inferior men were promoted to positions that by rights should have been his.
He returned to civilian life, but with the approach of Burgoyne’s Army, the New Hampshire Council implored him to take command of their troops. He quickly helped raise an army of over 1,000 men, and marched to Manchester, Vermont. From there, he has proceeded to Bennington, and now he faces an historic confrontation with Colonel Baum at Walloomsac.
Like most common soldiers, Jack Culpepper was born to a very humble family. Raised without a proper trade, and unable to secure honest, steady work, his future looked bleak. But a chance encounter with a silver-tongued Recruiting Sergeant infused him with the prospect of glory, adventure and riches. He accepted the King’s shilling, and enlisted in His Majesty’s Army. The Crown has provided him with all the necessities of life: food, shelter, a fair wage and an honorable profession.
Last May, Col. Frasier was directed to select the two best shots from each regiment and to form a “Company of Select Marksmen.” Culpepper’s extraordinary skill with a musket ensured that he would be one of Frasier’s Chosen Men, and he has served this unit with distinction in actions at Valcour Island, Ticonderoga and last month at Hubbardton.
Like most soldiers of the Line, he wears a red woolen coat. The decorative tape you see surrounding his buttons is called “lace.” The lace is different for each regiment and serves as a means of identification. His woolen waistcoat and breeches (also called “small clothes”) he is required to pay for himself by means of so-called “stoppages” to his monthly wage. He carries a .72 Caliber smooth bore musket, affectionately known as a “Brown Bess.” As an experienced and well-trained soldier, Pvt. Culpepper is able to fire at the rate of three shots per minute. For close quarter action, he is equipped with a 10” long bayonet; when attached to the end of his musket, it is a formidable and lethal weapon.
Sgt. Hezakiah Cooke once owned a thriving farm and mill in Dutch Hoosick. For many years, the so-called “Green Mountain Boys” have tried to lay claim to his property, believing it to be part of the “Hampshire Grants.” But the Crown always sided with Mr. Cooke in these legal disputes. When the Rebellion broke out, and the King’s Legal Authority was overturned, the marauding Mountain Boys finally seized his land by force. Hezakiah had no recourse but to take up arms, and he joined Peters Corps of the Queen’s Loyal Rangers.
Sgt. Cooke wears his civilian clothes. Because their clothing is so varied, the members of his company have tucked a Continental bank note into the bands of their hats as a means of identifying themselves to each other.
For many years, Jonas Rudd had diligently worked his farm east of Bennington, land that had been deeded to his family under Gov. Wentworth’s New Hampshire Grants. But when the Crown declared the grants invalid, Rudd joined the Green Mountain Boys to fight for their claim to the lands. He has served in the militia for seven years now, and when the alarm was raised that Burgoyne intended to pilfer the stores at Bennington, Jonas eagerly took up his arms. His experience with irregular skirmishing, combined with his knowledge of the local area, will no doubt serve him well in the upcoming struggle against Baum and his detachment.
Mr. Rudd wears the civilian clothes customary for militia men. He carries his own arms. His haversack contains food to sustain him while he is mustered away from home.
Charlotte Newcomb is the beloved only child of a prosperous merchant in Williamstown. Her father’s Tory leanings put him at odds with the so-called “Patriots.” The antagonism eventually erupted in a most tragic episode. One fateful night, an over-zealous group burned their fine home to the ground, and poor Mr. Newcomb perished in the conflagration! With no other family to take her in, the unfortunate girl has sought temporary refuge and protection with Peter’s Corps. She hopes to make her way to Canada, where other Loyal citizens have found safe haven. Though severely reduced in fortune and circumstance, Charlotte tries to maintain her genteel appearance…
Private Gottfried is a career soldier from Brunswick in the lower Saxony region of Germany. I have heard many people disparage these German troops, calling them mercenaries or soldiers of fortune. Yet in truth, an enlisted soldier like Pvt. Gottfried, merely serves his prince. Perhaps, it is the Duke of Brunswick, induced by political and financial motives to hire out his army to the British Forces, who might more accurately be called “a mercenary.”
Pvt. Gottfried is immediately recognizable as a German soldier by his blue wool regimental, his long hair wrapped in a queue and the full-gaitered trousers covering his legs. He carries a “tournister,” a unique kind of pack, which contains spare clothing, bedding and what few effects he might own.
His Brown Bess musket was issued to him by the British army. And German infantry is armed with swords, a privilege afforded only officers in the British and American armies. These intimidating troops truly inspire awe.
Many Flags is a Native ally attached to the company of Select Marksmen. He is a Cahn-ah-wah-gah Mohawk from Trois Rivieres near Montreal, a cousin to the tribes of the Mohawk River Valley.
Unused to open field fighting, most of his native brethren have fled back to their homes following the engagement at Hubbardton. But Many Flags is a man of his word and has stayed on, serving as a Guide and Scout.
100 years of association with Europeans is reflected in Many Flags’ clothing. He wears his hair long, not shaven, and he has donned a European-style shirt. His sash indicates his rank. He does sport the leggings and breechclout of his people, and around his neck are “war trophies,” including a French gorget given to him by his father who fought in the Seven Years War. He also carries his father’s French fusil musket.
“I hope you have enjoyed meeting some of the men and women caught up in these momentous events,” Emma Reuter concluded. “Indeed, there are many such fascinating characters here today, and I heartily encourage you all to make their acquaintance.
Oh, yes! If there is any among you who can oblige me with information regarding my unfortunate husband, I shall forever remain your most humble and grateful servant …”