Today, the Vermont Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers a turning point in the revolution at the Battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777.
That area began recognizing the battle’s importance on the anniversary the very next year with speeches and celebrations.
The first oration from 1778 was re-printed in The Dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument, And Celebration of the Hundredth Anniversary of the Admission of Vermont as a State, Vermont Centennial Commission, Henry Leonard Stillson, Bennington Battle Monument and Historical Association, published in 1892:
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A Speech Delivered at Bennington on the Anniversary of the 16th of August, 1777, by Noah Smith, A.B. — Hartford: Printed by Watson & Goodwin, MDCCLXXIX.
Oration by Noah Smith. —
The history of America during the last twelve months relates events favorable to a degree which has exceeded our expectations, established our independence and astonished the world. Among which none have been more signal than that which happened on the memorable 16th of August, 1777, of which this is the anniversary.
The recollection of past events, whether merciful or afflictive, often produces a good effect in the human mind, by leading it to view the operations of that Being by whose permission all judgments are inflicted and to whose benignity all deliverances must be attributed.
It is presumed that the history of these Northern campaigns is so fresh in the memory of everyone present, that a repetition of it would be neither entertaining nor instructive; therefore, waiving the description of the progress of our arms into Canada, and of the defeat and death of the brave General Montgomery, which was productive of the most precipitant and confused retreat, we need only mention that Ticonderoga was adjudged a proper place to make opposition.
This being by its natural situation the key of the country, to maintain it — was the determination of every man who wished well of America.
For more than fourteen months, while this was the object, no sums were too great to be expended and no fatigue too painful to be endured; so that when the third campaign was opened, the works were so completely finished, the store-houses so amply supplied with provisions, the lines so sufficiently manned, and the whole country so ready to fly to their assistance upon any emergency, that it was thought nothing but the infernal hands of cowardice or treachery could have delivered them into the enemy’s possession.
Under these circumstances the people in this department, not considering that disappointments are common to mankind in a state of imperfection, pursued their business with no less security than diligence.
But a train of evils, which at this time like a mighty torrent rushed in upon us, soon discovered how vain and unscriptural it is to trust in fortifications, for within eight days after Burgoyne appeared upon the Lake, he found means to possess himself of the forts, which laid our numerous army under a necessity of fleeing before him, and filled the whole country with consternation and amazement.
In this condition every battle he attempted was succeeded by victory and every advance he made was conquest.
The inhabitants of the Northern districts for more than one hundred miles in length were obliged to quit everything they possessed, and for subsistence had no other dependence but the benignity of heaven and the charity of their countrymen.
Whenever we had intelligence from our army, it was marked by defeat and discouragement; so that some, to their shame be it spoken, exclaimed, had not we better submit to any imposition than to be driven from everything we possess? Notwithstanding this town was then esteemed an asylum, yet the sagacity of the Honorable Council, then sitting at this place, induced them to be apprehensive of an attack and prompted them to dispatch advices to the neighboring States for the purpose of procuring assistance.
In consequence of which, General Stark, who was here to complete the edifice of his glory, arriving from New Hampshire at the head of a detachment of the noble and spirited militia of that State, was welcomed to the command. But a special order for him to join the main body at Stillwater gave rise to new apprehensions.
Under these circumstances, intelligence of the enemy’s approach was received. If it be proper to judge of futurity by past events, nothing could now be expected but panic, retreating and confusion. But with that magnanimity of soul, which is ever the characteristic of real greatness, those patriots who composed the Council at that time, deliberately laid the plan which their penetration assured them would be the destruction of the enemy. Having induced General Stark to return, they were indefatigable in adopting such measures as might conduce to the success of the enterprise.
A length of time had now elapsed sufficient for the arrival of a number of respectable militia from the adjacent towns in this State and that of Massachusetts. The exertions of the people in Berkshire County were extraordinary on this occasion and merited them particular honor. In convening, resolution, like electric fire, diffused itself through the whole body of the troops, while bravery marked the countenance, and patriotism glowed in the breast of every individual.
“The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,
“And one brave hero fans another’s fire.”
Prompted by their apprehensions, the enemy, having made choice of the most advantageous ground, began at this time to entrench. But so determined were our forces, that no circumstance of superiority in number, of perfection of discipline, or of finished entrenchments was sufficient to bring discouragement to their view.
Stark gave the command, the attack was made, the entrenchments stormed, and the enemy defeated. What miracles will resolution and perseverance effect!
That an undisciplined militia, without the assistance of a single field piece, should, in the face of cannon, confront an enemy almost double in number, and drive them from their entrenchments, marks the determination of Americans, and affords an instance of bravery without precedent in history.
Soon after this the enemy, being reinforced, renewed the attack, and from the dictates of despair fought with persevering intrepidity, which in any other circumstances must have been the attainment of their wishes. In this critical moment the arrival of Colonel Warner’s regiment, by adding to the spirit of the men as well as to their numbers, completed the victory.
Boast then, ye gasconading Britons, that two thousand of your men can effect a march from Saratoga to Springfield, for this action has evinced that a Stark, a Warner and a Merrick, with a number of men little more than half equal to yours, could, by the assistance of heaven, defeat your enterprise upon the first attempt, and make two-thirds of your body prisoners.
But I check this language because gasconade is no mark of bravery. The fame of this action spread through every part of America, and was productive of the most salutary effects in raising the spirits of our army, which was worn out by fatigues and hardships, and in depressing those of the enemy, which for a long time had been flushed with victory.
This battle being a prelude to those fought at Stillwater, which were the immediate harbingers of Burgoyne’s resignation, had a powerful operation in effecting that event, which was really the most memorable and glorious that ever graced the annals of America.
Can it be thought possible that the heroism of a few hundred Green Mountain Boys, by being exhibited when the whole country was depressed by retreats and misfortunes, should effect the resignation of a general who commanded ten thousand men, and operate the total dissolution of his army?
To the effects of this action must be attributed, in a considerable degree, that series of successes which for the year past has constantly attended our arms, and which has made America so respectable among the nations, that one of the most potent monarchs in the world has not thought it derogatory to court her alliance.
This establishes our independence and must soon put a period to the calamities of war. Are these the effects of the Battle of Bennington? Are these the prospects which attend the Republic of America? Then what laurels are due to Stark and those bold assertors of liberty whose determined resolution and undaunted courage effected the salvation of their country?
But in a speech of this kind it would be impious not to make ascription of the sublimest praise to that God whose kingdom is over all: “Had not the Lord been on our side when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick.” The success of that day is not to be attributed to the skill of the officers, and the prowess of the soldiers, but to the interposition of heaven. That Omnipotent Being who has been pleased to style himself the God of Armies, inspired our troops with intrepidity, and directed their charge in such a manner that opposition could produce nothing but carnage and immediate death.
Those heroes who were active that day were the instruments by which our deliverance was effected, but God was the author. To Him, therefore, let the first and most grateful tribute be paid. As the victory was complete, let the song of praise be sincere and universal.
It becomes all to unite in this glad work, even those whose nearest friends were numbered with the slain. By yielding themselves a sacrifice to the flagitious exertions of tyranny, they discovered a stability of sentiments in the cause of freedom, and sealed it with their blood.
It was a custom among the ancients to canonize those who fell in battle, and to send them immediately to the Elysian fields. This was productive of good effect among the soldiers, as it made them believe that to die in battle was only to enter upon a more happy state. “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country,” was a maxim which they firmly believed.
In fighting, the death of some is necessary, even on the side of victory; and that individual who would not resign his life for the salvation of his country must be possessed of a soul the most partial and contracted. There is, therefore, no just cause of lamentation to those whose friends were slain, for by their deaths our country was saved.
Since that event, the situation of affairs in this Northern department has been very different. The hurry and bustle of war are now succeeded by the sweets of tranquility and retirement. Those who by the savage cruelty of the enemy were driven from their habitations are now returned to a peaceful and flourishing settlement, and instead of those horrors and depredations which are inseparable from all wars, and with which this has been particularly marked, all have now the glorious prospect of a permanent and uninterrupted peace.
When this takes place, the necessity of maintaining so numerous an army will cease, our currency will again revert to its proper value, and thousands will resort to this State with designs of making it the place of their residence; all the avenues of commerce will be laid open, and the inestimable blessings of government established.
Then, if we may be allowed to put a literal construction upon the enraptured prophecy of Isaiah: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”
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The Vermont Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an image of the statue of Major-General John Stark at the Battle of Bennington monument.
