by Bea Peterson
On Thursday, August 16, a small group gathered at the highest point of the Bennington Battlefield in Walloomsac to commemorate the 235th Anniversary of that battle. Event chairman John Sheaff, President of the Walloomsac Battle Chapter, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, told the gathering, “I hate war.” He went on to say that to commemorate with a ceremony was to honor and to remember those patriotic people who sacrificed for us. “We are not honoring the battle, we are honoring the people who fought that battle,” he concluded.
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In that vein, their voices were brought to life by through letters and journals. Attired as General Stark, Peter Schaaphok, Brigade of the American Revolution, read again this year the General’s letter to the Council of Safety of New Hampshire, August 18, 1777. Once again, Lt. Colonel Paul Loding,
attired as a Commander in His Majesty’s 53rd Regiment Afoot, read from a journal written by Brunswick Surgeon Wasmus describing the battle and his capture.
Phyllis Chapman, also dressed in period clothing, read a poem by Phillip Papas entitled “For Bennington Battle Day.” Dr. Michael P. Gabriel, author of Battle of Bennington, Soldiers and Civilians of the Battle, read a few of the personal accounts from his book of people from Bennington and Williamstown and Lanesboro, MA, who took part in the battle. His book is available for purchase at the Bennington Monument.
Wreaths were placed at the Battlefield monument by John Sheaff on behalf of the SAR Walloomsac Battle Chapter, Lois Sheaff on behalf of the Ondawa-Cambridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and by Captain Zachariah Fike, VT Army National Guard and First Vice President of the Vermont SAR.
The American Legion, Post #40 of Hoosick Falls fired a salute and members of the 2nd Continental Artillery, out of Ft. Edward, fired their cannon during the commemoration.
Lastly John Sheaff read General Stark’s letter of 1809. The General was 81 at the time of the heartfelt writing that contains his most memorable quote.
At My Quarters,
Derryfield, 31st July 1809
My Friends and Fellow Soldiers: –
I received yours of the 22nd, instant, containing your fervent expressions of friendship, and your very polite invitation to meet with you, to celebrate the 16th of August, in Bennington.
As you observe, I “Can never forget, that’ I ‘commanded American Troops” on that day in Bennington, – They were men that had not learned the art of submission, nor had they been trained to the art of war. But our ‘astonishing success’ taught the enemies of Liberty, that undisciplined freemen are superior to veteran slaves. And I fear we shall have to teach the lesson anew to that perfidious nation [Great Britain].
Nothing could afford me more pleasure than to meet “the Sons of Liberty” on that fortunate spot. But as you justly anticipate, the infirmities of old age will not permit; for I am now fourscore and one years old, and the lamp of life is almost spent. I have of late had many such invitations, but was not ready, for there was not oil enough in the lamp.
You say you wish your young men to see me, but you who have seen me can tell them that I never was worth much for a show, and certainly cannot be worth their seeing now.
In case of my not being able to attend, you wish my sentiments, – then you shall have them as free as the air we breathe. As I was then, I am now – The friend of the equal rights of men, of representative Democracy, of Republicanism, and the Declaration of Independence, the great charter of our National rights: – and of course the friend of the indissoluble union and constitution of the States. I am the enemy of all foreign influence, for all foreign influence is the influence of tyranny. This is the only chosen spot for liberty, – this is the only Republic on earth.
You well know, gentlemen, that at the time of the event you celebrate, there was a powerful British faction in the country [called Tories], and a material part of the force we had to contend with was [at Bennington, Hoosick] Tories. This faction was rankling in our councils, till they had laid the foundation for the subversion of our liberties. But by good sentinels at our outposts, we were apprised of our danger; and the Sons of Freedom beat the alarm – and, as at Bennington, “They came, they saw, they conquered.” But again the faction has rallied to the charge, and again they have been beaten.
It is my orders now, and will be my last orders to all volunteers, to look well to their sentries; for there is a dangerous British party in this country, lurking in their hiding places, more dangerous than all our foreign enemies. And whenever they shall appear openly, to render the same account of them that was given at Bennington, let them assume what name they will; not doubting that the ladies will be as patriotic, in furnishing every aid, as they were at Bennington in ’77, who even dismantled their beds to furnish cords to secure and lead them off.
I shall remember, gentlemen, the respect you, and ‘the inhabitants of Bennington and its neighborhood’ have shewn me. Till I go to the country from which no traveler e’er returns. I must soon receive marching orders.
John Stark
P.S. I will give you my volunteer toast: “Live free or die. Death is not the greatest of evils.”
[Source: Willey’s semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896 : and Manchester edition of the Book of Nutfield : historic sketches of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time by George Franklyn Willey, Manchester, N.H.: G.F. Willey, 1896; page 308-309]
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