by Bea Peterson
At the Bennington Battlefield in Hoosick on Sunday afternoon, August 16, Peter Schaaphok, dressed as General John Stark, reminded those attending the Battle Anniversary commemoration that, at that very moment, on that very spot, two hundred and thirty-two years ago, the battle of Walloomsac was underway. In such a beautiful serene setting atop that hill with its glorious views, and on a very hot day, it was hard to imagine the cannon and musket fire going on, the yelling of commands by officers and leaders, the screams of pain from the wounded and dying and so much more all those years ago. Schaaphok read a portion of a letter written by Stark after the battle in which he stated the success of the conflict. More than 700 enemy were captured. More than 200 were killed and many more wounded. With a hint of pride in his writing he noted that it more than made up for the loss the Americans had suffered in the Battle of Hubbardton (a town then part of the New Hampshire Grants and now part of Vermont) on July 7, 1777.
Paul Loding, dressed as a Commander in His Majesty’s 53rd Regiment Afoot in America, read from a journal by a German surgeon in which the doctor described hiding behind a tree during the battle in fear for his life, standing up, then hitting the ground as three enemy bullets whizzed past him. He also described his fearfulness when captured and his relief to find he was not the only one captured. He also wrote of caring for the enemy wounded and not being able to treat his wounded comrades.
The two readings breathed life into the battle scene. Ingrid Schaaphok then described the clothing and
background of some of the people who would have fought in the Revolution. Some of the costumed interpreters on hand added to her descriptions.
Sons of the American Revolution Walloomsac Battle Chapter President John Sheaff welcomed everyone to the anniversary commemoration and said, “We’re all here because someone else made a sacrifice.” He said that many continue to make sacrifices for our freedom. “Our forebears didn’t get it right all the time, but they got it right most of the time,” he said.
Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas welcomed the group to the Battlefield and thanked Sheaff for his continuing dedication to the Walloomsac ceremonies. He has been organizing the programs at the Bennington Battlefield for more than ten years.
Wreaths were placed in front of the contour battle map at the center of the battle site by Daughters of the American Revolution NSDAR Ondawa-Cambridge Chapter Regent Carol Dillie and SAR Walloomsac members Lewis Slocum of Mechanicville and Duane Booth of New Lebanon.
A summer picnic followed the ceremony.
Historians Reliving History
In period dress for the Bennington Battlefield ceremonies were three historians. Sean Kelleher is the Town of Saratoga and Village of Victory Hill historian, Paul Loding is the Town of Kingsbury and Village of Hudson Falls historian and Peter Schaaphok is Petersburgh Town Supervisor and Town Historian.
