CHAPTER XIX.
Page 3

The morning of the 16th ushered in a bright and glorious day, the patriots eager for action, and Stark determined upon attacking the enemy in their intrenchments.

It was was [sic] a bold measure, conceived by a bold and daring man, but one well acquainted with the capabilities of his men.

The entrenchments of the enemy were on both banks of the Hoosac river, their main works being on the north side of that river--their left flank extending along the Walloomsuck,--while the right flank extended on the south side of the Hoosac, one of the tory breastworks occupying the extreme right on the south bank of that river.

Stark's plan of attack was to send two divisions, one to the right and the other to the left of the main body of the enemy on the north side of the river, to meet in the rear and commence an attack--while a third party was to attack the tory breastwork on the south side of the river,--he himself being in waiting with the rest of his forces to commence the attack in front, as soon as the firing should commence in the rear.

The plan of attack was executed with precision and promptness,--Col. Nichols leading the division which flanked the enemy's left, while Col. Hendrich led that which flanked the enemy's right on the north side of the river. The troops having been drawn out ready for the attack, Gen. Stark addressed them in a laconic and eccentric speech.

   "There's the enemy, boys; we must flog them, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow this night."¹

"Forward, men--march," and Colonels Nichols and Hendrich, at the head of their respective divisions started for their posts.

Three hundred men were then detached to hold the attention of the enemy in front, while the flanking parties should have time to gain their position, and Colonels Hubbard and Stickney were ordered to attack the tory breastwork, being the right wing, on the south side of the river. While the various detachments were taking their positions, the deepest silence prevailed. Anxiety and determination was upon every face. Col. Nichols commenced the attack precisely at three o'clock--the other divisions immediately followed, while Gen. Stark led the remainder in person. As the parties advanced in front through a field of corn, the tories, resting upon the breastwork, kept up a deadly fire upon them. "We must have close work with that gang of tories," observed Stark, "let every man take a husk and put it in his hat-band to prevent mistake." The order was executed by his men, and then they rushed on with a hurra for the breast work, behind which were the tories and where was the most desperate resistance. Our men rushed to the breast-work, to the very muzzles of the guns, many of them scaled it, while others went round to join the flanking parties who had driven the Germans from their entrenchments, and all joined in a hand to hand encounter with the tories, with bayonets and clubbed muskets. Here the forethought of the General stood him in need; the tories were dressed in the same style of clothes with his men, and had it not been for the corn husks so opportunely placed in the hats of our men, friends could not have been distinguished from foes in the general melee that followed behind the breast-work. The tories expecting, as they deserved, no sympathy, fought with desperation, and here was the greatest slaughter. The space was so small and surrounded on all sides by our divisions, that our men could not fire their pieces without hitting their friends, and the work was completed with the bayonet and gun breech! They continued to fight after the Hessians had surrendered, and did not give up until they were completely surrounded and overpowered and many of their numbers killed or wounded. The tories fired upon our men, when they were advancing to attack the breast-work, at great advantage; as no part of the tories was exposed except their heads, they could take the most deliberate and fatal aim. The most of our loss was in front of the tory breast work. But Stark's men were excellent shots, and specimens of their off-hand shooting were found behind the breast-work. For of the pile of dead bodies found behind it, ever man was shot in the forehead or betwixt the eyes! When the tories were overpowered, the contest ceased.

But this success liked to have been ruinous, for about 6 o'clock, P. M., while some of our men had been sent off with prisoners, others were seeking plunder or obtaining refreshments, and all were fatigued with hard fighting, news came of the advance of a large reinforcement of the enemy under Col. Breyman. The scattered troops were immediately recalled, while Col. Warner, very opportunely coming up with a battalion of fresh troops, was ordered forthwith to advance and commence the attack. Col. Warner obeyed the order with alacrity, and advancing upon the enemy, commenced the attack with spirit.

Meantime Stark's scattered force had been collected, and advanced to gain new laurels. On their way, they found a field-piece which had been left by Baum, and Stark coming up ordered the men around it to charge the piece, but not one of them knowing how to load it, he dismounted himself, loaded the gun, and leaping upon his horse, cried out at the top of his voice, "drive on, boys, or we shall lose the honor of whipping the enemy, ofr the main body is close to our heels."

This ruse had the desired effect, for the enemy was so near, as to distinctly hear his voice, and his men rushing foward [sic] at the same time; "Fire!" cried Stark, and they discharged the captured gun upon them, followed by a general discharge of musketry from his party. The enemy, already checked by Warner's troops, upon receiving this spirited onslaught of Stark, broke, and fled in confusion, abandoning cannon, baggage and wounded, in fact every thing that would impede their flight! They were followed by our troops until darkness put a stop to the pursuit. Thus victory a second time perched upon our standards. The fruits of these battles were 4 brass cannon, 8 brass drums, several hundred muskets, 750 prisoners, (200 Tories, 511 soldies, and 39 officers) and 207 killed upon the field of battle, among the latter, Colonel Baum, the leader of the British forces.

Stark's loss was but 30 killed and 40 wounded. The Hessian prisoners were treated with respect, but the tories had but little sympathy. They were tied in pairs, and each pair connected by a leading rope. Thus tied together, the one hundred pairs were hitched to a horse, and thus postillon dragged them along the streets, only to hear the curses of the men, the jeers of the women, and the hoots of the boys. But the crowning result of this battle was the confidence it diffused throughout the American troops and American patriots. It was a time of darkness and despondency; clouds dark and foreboding, had lowered upon our political horizon, but the battle of Bennington dispelled them, as the bright rising sun dispels the thick clouds of an autumnal morning. The battle of Bennington has well been called "the first link in the splendid successes that secured our Independence."

Gen. Stark forthwith made a report of his success to the Legislature of New Hampshire, where the news was received with rejoicing.

Upon the arrival of the news of this victory at Yorktown Pa., Congress passed a vote of thanks to Gen. Stark, and the officers and soldiers under his command, and appointed him a Brigadier General in the army of the United States. Thus actual merit forced from Congress what they had previously denied, and the gallant Stark had the honor of wearing laurels won upon a severely contested battle field.

Although the people of Derryfield did not see fit to choose delegates to the Colonial Convention at Exeter, yet none were more active in carrying out the requirements of that Convention, or of the Continental Congress. For these purposes they readily expended their money.

In the spring of 1777 the town was called upon to furnish five men for the Continental army, for the term of three years. A town-meeting was called forthwith and a bounty of eighty dollars was voted to each man who should enlist, and the Selectmen were ordered to borrow the money if wanted before the tax could be made and collected. The men were enlisted and the tax list was made out as follows;

[If you would prefer the text version of the 1777 tax list]

A few months after, the town voted Col. John Goffe a committee to furnish Robert McNight's family with proper provisions during his absence in the Continental army, or the family of any other soldier who should need assistance.

And the people were equally liberal on other occasions when acting individually. Thus this same year, they subscribed most liberally in aid of volunteers, although they had already submitted to a double tax.

When the retreat from Ticonderoga was first heard of in this town, Capt. Nathaniel Martin, Theophilus Griffin, Nathaniel Baker, John Nutt, Enoch Harvey, and David Farmer, immediately volunteered and marched to Number Four. A contribution was made among the inhabitants for Martin, Griffin, and Baker, and �4--10s was raised, and they "held on" and participated with their neighbors in the glorious battle of Bennington.

A list of those subscribing, has been preserved in the town records. It is as follows;

Paid by the Sundrey persons hereafter Named to Nathaniel martain Theophilus Griffin & Nathaniel Baker as volunters wen they went to Noumber four about the retreat from Ty are as followeth

paid by the Individuals to hold on John Nutt Enoch harvey Theophilus Griffin & David farmer, wen they went with General Stark to the Battel at Benenton, are as followeth, (viz.)

Thus many of the citizens of the town were taxed three times in the year, and doubtless paid their taxes without a murmur.

This year, there were seven soldiers from the town in the Continental Army for the "three years service."

Some of the soldiers from Amoskeag deserve more than a passing notce [notice], for their participation in the early battles of the Revolution. Among them was

MAJOR JOHN MOORE.

He had been an officer in the preceding French war, in which he had won the reputation of a man of courage and energy. After the conquest of Canada, he quietly settled down upon his farm at "Cohas Brook." Upon the news of the battle of Lexington, he led his neighbors of Amoskeag to the scene of action, and on the 24th of April was commissioned by the Committee of Safety of Massachusetts, as a Captain in Stark's regiment. Thomas McLaughlin of Bedford was commissioned as his Lieutenant at the same time. He forthwith enlisted a company of 57 men, mainly of Derryfield, Bedford, and Goffstown. His roll was as follows;

[See Transcriber's Notes below for legend.] John Moore, Capt.[1]; Thos. McLaughlin, Lieut.[2]; Nathaniel Boyd, Sergt.[1]; John O Neil, Sergt.[2]; David McQuig, Serg.[3]; John Jordan, Sergt.[1]; Wm. Patterson, Corpl.[2]; Abraham Johnson, Corpl.[1]; Joshua Page, Corpl.[4]; Samuel Patten, Corpl.[2]; Harr yGlover, Drumr.[3]; James Butterfield, Fifer[5]; John Alld,[1] Edward Bicksbey,[3] Samuel Barron,[6] Benj. Baker,[1] John Callohan,[2] John Cyphers, Samuel Caldwell,[6] Jonas Cutting,[2] Edmond Davis,[1] Charles Emerson,[1] George Emerson,[1] Luke Egan,[2] John Goffe,[2] John Gregg,[7] Benj. George,[1] James Gledder,[1] James Gibson,[3] James Hogg,[2] Arther Hoit; Thomas Huse;[1] Soloman Hutchinson,[6] John Hunter, James Houston,[2] George Hogg,[2] Lemuel Harvey,[1] Calvin Johnson,[2] Samuel Martin,[1] Timothy Martin,[1] David McKnight,[1] James McPherson,[2] John McPherson,[2] Goffe Moore,[1] Thomas McClary,[2] Saml Moore,[1] David Moore,[1] John McMurphy,[1] William Newman,[1] James Orr,[2] Archibald Stark,[1] Caleb Stark,[1] John Turner, John Wyer, Hugh Campbell,[2] Alexander Hutchinson,[6] William McGilway,[6] James Moore.[2]

Three of the men joined the company at a subsequent date, vi; Samuel Patten, of Bedford, June, 17th; James Gibson, probably of Londonderry, and John McMurphy of Derryfield, July, 16th. Samuel Patten enlisted on the 17th, and with the 57 others enli_ted [enlisted] on the 24th of April, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. In that battle, none did better service than Capt. John Moore, and his company of Amoskeag, as related elsewhere.

On the 18th of June, the day following the battle, Capt. Moore, was complimented with a Major's commission. to take the place in Stark's regiment, of Major McClary, who had been killed in the battle of the day preceding. Lieut. McLaughlin was promoted to the Captaincy thus made vacant, and Sergeant Nathaniel Boyd of Derryfield, was made Lieutenant in his place. Major Moore remained with the army but a few months, when the state of his health obliged him to retire to his farm. He continued however, his active participation in all matters on foot in the town, county, and state, to forward the patriot cause, until his removal from the State, in 1778. In that year he moved to Norridgewock in Maine, where he ever maintained a most respectable position in life. He died in January, 1809.

MAJOR JOHN GOFFE.

Major Goffe, was a son of the noted Col. John Goffe of Derryfield. He resided in Bedford, just across the Merrimack, from his father. In the Seven Years War, he was a Lieutenant in Capt. Martin's Company in Goffe's regiment. At the close of the French war, he returned to Bedford and resumed his occupation as a farmer and miller. He received a Captain's commission from Governor Wentworth in 1764, and in 1768, was promoted to a Majority. At the commencement of hostilities, he volunteered, went to Cambridge, enlisted in Capt. Moore's company as a private, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. In the summer after, he left the army and returned home, his business requiring his presence. Several of his sons served in the war of the Revolution, and two of them lost their lives in that struggle; Stephen being lost at sea, and William killed in an engagement. But in civil life, Major Goffe was active in the patriot cause, and was successful in furnishing recruits for the army. When Gen. Stark called for more troops, to assist in conquering Burgoyne, Maj. Goffe at once volunteered his services as a private, and marched to the conflict, thus favoring the great cause by precept and example. Of a truth the good that such men do lives after them. He died in Bedford, aged 85 years.

LIEUTENANT JOHN ORR,

was of Bedford, where at the commencement of the Revolution, he was a successful farmer. He volunteered under Stark in his expedition to Bennington, and was appointed a Lieutenant in Capt. McConnell's company, in Col. Stickney's regiment. This regiment was one of the two that were sent against the tory breast work on the right of the enemy's works, south of the Hoosac. Early in the fight, Lieut. Orr was wounded in the knee by a musket ball. Unable to stand, he lay upon the ground some time before any one came to his assistance. Sergeant Griffin then came to him, and with the assistance of another soldier, carried him to a place of safety, forced to drag him upon his back, through a corn and flax field, to shun the sharp shooters of the enemy. From want of skill the fracture was not properly reduced; but employing a private surgeon he began to mend, but was unable to be removed until February. On the 4th of that month he started for home, riding upon a bed in a sleigh, and reached home in ten days, after much suffering. He was unable to step till the October following, with crutches even. In the end, he recovered his health and though ever lame, was able to resume the active duties of life. He was much in public business, and filled the offices of Selectman, Representative and Senator in the State Legislature, with credit to himself, in town and district. Lieut. Orr died in Bedford in January 1823, aged 65 years.

SERGEANT EPHRAIM STEVENS,

was another true soldier of Derryfield. He never knew fear. Whether driving the Hessians from their quarters, or attacking them without regard to disparity of numbers, as at Trenton, he was the same dauntless man. He was one who "snuffed the battle from afar," and was ready to engage in it. When relating his affair at Trenton, in beating up the quarters of the Hessians, he was wont to say, that the bayoneted Hessians as they lay upon the floor, was the pretties sight he ever saw. He was of powerful make, and had the reputation of being the "strongest man in the army." In the camp at "Valley Forge," when by the recommendation of the officers, the soldiers engaged in all manner of athletic sports, Sergeant Stevens was wont to "beat the ring" wrestling and lifting. The trial of strength was in shouldering and carrying "oak buts," he could shoulder and carry the biggest "oak but of any one in the army." Such a man was invaluable as a soldier. Want of education prevented his promotion. After the close of the way, Sergeant Stevens returned to Derryfield, and became a successful farmer. He died in 1845 aged 87 years.

SERGEANT THEOPHILUS GRIFFIN.

He was another brave soldier of Derryfield. He was with Stark at the battle of Trenton, and was one of the men who assisted Stevens in the adventure with the Hessians, before related. The most of the day he went barefooted through the snow, throwing off his worthless shoes soon after commencing the pursuit of the retreating Hessians; and this without a murmur. No man fought better than Theophilus Griffin; but he must have a leader. He could execute, not direct. When the news came of the retreat from Ticonderoga, he was one of the first to volunteer his services to meet the enemy, and was with Stark at Bennington, where, in addition to fighting bravely, he assisted with the greatest hazard, in carrying Lieut. Orr from the field, when disabled by a severe wound. After the close of the war, he settled down upon a small farm, but with indifferent success as a farmer. Habits fostered, if not contracted in the service, unfitted him for steady employment. He preferred the exciting scenes of the camp, to the quiet labor, and used to those, in the time of peace, he sought excitement where it could be found. And as was often the case with other soldiers, passed the last years of his life with little advan- to himself or society. He however fought nobly for his country and his name deserves a place am_ng [among] the patriots of Derryfield. He died at Derryfield at an advanced age.

SAMUEL REMICK.

He was an apprentice in Bedford at the time of Burgoyne's approach from the North. He volunteered under Stark and was at the battle of Bennington. He stood by Lieut. Orr, saw him fall and carried from the field, he took a position behind an oak and commenced firing upon the enemy. He fired some eight or ten times, when as he was loading his gun, an unlucky bullet from the enemy's works brought him to the ground. In this position, he loaded and fired several times upon the enemy. At length, giving his gun to a man, the lock of whose gun had been broken by a ball, he dragged himself to a fence near by, where he was taken upon a blanket, and carried to the surgeon's quarters, an open field upon the banks of the Hoosac. He soon recovered, and lived to a good old age, receiving the bounties of his country for his suffering in the cause of liberty.