August 16th Was a Pivotal Victory in the American Revolution

The Battle for Bennington was a Turning Point

August 16th, 1777: “Suddenly, all hell broke loose. “The enemy immediately poured in upon us cannon ball, grape shot and leaden balls as thick as hail whizzing about our ears; it was a critical moment with us. Our major [John Rand] had his horse shot through the head and cut off the head stall of its bridle and a cannon ball cut a lane though his horse’s mane.“ This account came from 22 year-old Private William Boutelle from the Worcester, Massachusetts militia.

The British military force under General John Burgoyne included multiple units of mercenary Hessian and Brunswikker soldiers from Germany, British soldiers, Canadians, Loyalists, and Native Americans facing off against American Continental regiments and state militias from Massachusetts (including Maine), New Hampshire, and Vermont. The American commander, General John Stark had spent months procuring powder, balls, rum, kettles, and other necessities for the battle.

General Stark set up their position a few miles west of Bennington in Walloomisac, New York. August 16th was a blazing hot day and the battle began on that sunny afternoon.

In one skirmish on the battlefield, a British cannon was placed upon a hill and each time it fired, it was hitting Patriot militiamen. General Stark ordered Captain Ebenezer Allen to take a handful of sharpshooters from his company and get near enough so they could shoot the artillerymen so they would stop firing it. Allen, with his 20 men, moved quickly across the field to take a position behind some rocks. Just as Allen entered the field of fire, a grapeshot from the cannon grazed his cheek, and cut away some whiskers. He put up his hand, rubbed his face, and declared, “Them fellows shoot as careless as the devil!,” no more disconcerted than if a snowball had been thrown. He kept running, took up a position, and made the attack upon the artillerymen, Before long, all that were not killed or wounded fled and left the gun. Allen captured and turned the cannon on the retreating Hessians. By nightfall, the Americans had won the battle and turned the tide of the northern war.

Stark’s American army of 2,000 patriots killed, captured or wounded 1,000 of the 1,400 British forces. American losses were put at 200. The Americans also captured four British cannons, many muskets, rifles, and denied the British much needed provisions. They undermined Mohawk support for Britain. To many historians this victory led to General Burgoyne’s eventual surrender. The battle changed morale across New England as word spread of the victory. It was the first of several victories that led to Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga two months later.

Today, the captured British cannon rests on the steps of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.