commission, hoping that you will make a choice of some gentleman, who may honor the cause and his country, to succeed

Your most obedient

And obliged humble serv't.

JOHN STARK. The Council and House, upon his resignation on the 21st day of March, 1777, passed a vote of thanks in the following complimentary language: "Voted, That the thanks of both Houses in convention, be given to Col. Stark for his good services in the present war, and that from his early and steadfast attachments to the cause of his country, they make not the least doubt that his future conduct in whatever state of life Providence may place him, will manifest the same noble disposition of mind." Colonel Stark was present at the time of the passage of this vote, and the President of the Convention arose and presented to him the thanks of both Houses, in an appropriate address. The scene was imposing, and must have been highly gratifying to the gallant Colonel. This difficulty of Col. Stark had its origin as far back as May, 1775, in a mutual misunderstanding of the parties, incident to the disorder and excitement of an unorganized military force.

view, they superseded Col. Stark.

Upon repairing to Exeter, a compromise was effected, and Stark's regiment already in the field, was called the first regiment, Col. Reed's the second, and Col. Poor's the thirdand Col. Stark was duly commissioned by the New-Hampshire Congress.

Thus the affair was amicably settled at the time. But in the early part of 1777, when the promotions became to be made by Congress, the fact was brought before that body, that Colonel Poor was actually in commission by New-Hampshire as Colonel-before Colonel Stark-and it was also asserted in all probability, that Col. Stark had been guilty of disobeying the orders of Gen. Folsom. These facts being stated, and no explanation of them having been made- Col. Poor was made a Brigadier and Colonel Stark resigned and retired from the service as above related.

After his resignation he returned to his farm upon the Merrimack.

But the country was not thus to lose the services of one of its most gallant defenders.

The advance of Burgoyne from the north, with a strong and well appointed army, overcoming every obstacle in his way, spread disUpon Stark's arrival at Cambridge with a may among the patriots of the country, while large force, as has been seen, he was commiss-the spirits of the tories were raised to the ioned as a Colonel by the "Committee of Safety" for Massachusetts, and he was also elected Colonel by the New-Hampshire troops. This was about the 26th of April. On the 20th of May the N. H. Congress voted to raise 2000 men, and to adopt those already enlisted.

This adoption had reference to the forces under Col. Stark, and he and his friends took the ground that they adopted his regiment as it was officered.

highest pitch of gladness. When the news of the invader's success reached New-Hampshire, the Legislature hastily assembled to consider the state of affairs, and to act upon a call upon New-Hampshire for recruits and supplies.

All was dejection. There was no money in the Treasury, and with the enemy upon our immediate frontier, the emergency demanded immediate action. In this state of affairs, John Langdon, the Speaker of the House, nobly came to the rescue. He rose in his place, and On the 23d of May the N. H. Congress or- made a tender to the State of his ready money, ganized these 2000 men into three regiments, his merchandise and his plate! The tender and appointed to their command Nathaniel was accepted, and the money raised. Stark Folsom, commissioning him as a Brigadier was offered the command, accepted upon conGeneral, and Enoch Poor and James Reed were dition that he should have a separate comappointed as Colonels of two of these regi- mand, and be accountable to no power but ments. Folsom had been a Captain in the that of the State of New-Hampshire, and at French War only, and Stark having been in the same time was commissioned as a Brigadier command of a Regiment of N. H. men since General. Stark appointed his randezvous at April 26, those men having been adopted by Number Four (now Charleston), made an apformal vote of the N. H. Congress, May 20, peal to the frontiersmen to rally in defence of held that, if he was adopted as Colonel by the their firesides, repaired to Derryfield to arrange vote of May 20, he had been superseded by his domestic affairs, and hastened to the fronthe appointment of Folsom as Brigadier by tier. The yeomanry answered this appeal to the vote of May 23, and he chose rather to their patriotism, and flocked to his standard in consider himself under the authority of Mas-force. Being invited by the "Green Mounsachusetts and refused to obey the orders of tain Boys" to lead them against the enemy, General Folsom as he probably had a right he forthwith sent 400 or 500 men to Manchesto do but a step which prudence perhaps ter, a town twenty-two miles north-east of would have left untaken. Bennington, and soon followed himself with the remainder of his force, leaving in charge to the officers at the rendezvous to send on volunteers as fast as they should arrive.

May 30th, Col. Stark was ordered to repair to Exeter and receive orders from Congress. This order seems on the face of it to show that the Congress considered that Col. Stark was adopted by their vote of May 20, otherwise they could have had no ground for issuing the order, as they could have no authority over an officer of the Massachusett's line. In this

He soon determined upon Bennington as a more advantageous post from which to employ his force against any party detached by Burgoyne, and proceeded to that place on the 8th of August with his disposable force.

On the 13th of August, a woman was sent express from Cambridge, a town 14 miles north-west of Bennington, with the intelligence that 200 Indians came in to town that morning, and soon after a like express came with the still more startling intelligence that 1500 Hessians and Tories arrived soon after the Indian force! They came under the command of Colonel Baum-a Hessian officer. Gen Stark supposing their object to be the possession of a quantity of four stored at some mills near Cambridge, detached Col. Gregg with a party to secure the flour, and followed on the 14th with the remainder of his force. He soon met Gregg's party in full retreat before a force of Germans, which halted in coming in sight of Stark's main body, and commenced entrenching upon rising ground.

parties advanced in front through a field of corn, the tories, resting upon the breast-work, 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 mistakes." The order was immediately executed by his men, and then they rushed with a "hurra" for the breast-work, behind which were the tories and when 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 them in need; the tories were dressed in the same style of clothes with themselves, 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 morning of the 16th ushered in a bright the general melee that followed behind the and glorious day, the patriot forces were eager breast-work. The tories expecting, as they for action, and Stark determined upon attack-deserved, no sympathy, fought with desperaing the enemy in their intrenchments!

The 15th of August, it rained in torrents, and the enemy continued fortifying their position and although superior in numbers to the Americans by one half, sent express to Burgoyne for a reinforcement.

It was 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 upon a hill, sloping gradually towards the north and west, while upon the south they were fronted by a small river. A breast-work of logs was thrown up of sufficient height to protect the body, and over which the tories fired upon our troops with fatal precision.

tion, 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 danger of hitting their friends, and the work was completed with the bayonet and the 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 advanStark's plan of attack was to send two divi-cing to attack the breast-work, at great adsions, one to the right and the other to the vantage, as no part of them was exposed exleft, to meet in the enemy's rear and com- cept the heads, and resting over the breastmence the attack, while he, with the remain-work, they could take the most deliberate and der of his little army, should attack the enemy in front, as soon as they should hear the fire. 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. 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 Betty Stark sleeps a widow this night!" "Forward, men - -march," and Colonels Nichols and Hendrich, at the head of their respective divisions, started for their posts.

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, every 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 troops had been sent off with prisoners, the 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 leftt by Baum, and Stark coming up ordered the men aromnd it to charge the piece,

8

him a Brigadier General in the army of the
United States.

Thus actual merit forced from Congress
what they had previously denied, and the gal-
won upon a severely contested battle field.
lant Stark had the honor of wearing laurels

From Bennington, Gen. Stark went to the Heights, and assisted in the final overthrow of main army under Gen. Gates, near Bemus' the vaunting Burgoyne.

Early in 1778 he repaired to Albany and assumed the command of the Northern Department, and remained there until ordered to join Gen. Gates at Providence.

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, for the
main body is close at our heels!!" This ruse
had the desired effect, for the enemy was so
near as to distinctly hear his voice, and his
men rushing forward at the same time,
"Fire!" cried Stark, and they discharged the
captured gun upon them, followed by a gene-
ral 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-aban-
doning cannon, wounded and baggage, in fact
every thing that would impede their flight!
They were followed by our troops until dark-
ness 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 soldiers and 39 offi-town and took part in the battle of Springfield.
cers) and 207 killed upon the field of battle-
among the latter Colonel Baum, the leader of
the British force.

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 a postillion dragged them along the streets, only to meet 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,

He passed the winter in New-Hampshire, in
urging forward recruits and supplies, but in
In November, by Gen. Washington's orders,
the spring joined Gen. Gates at Providence.
he joined him in New Jersey, and after a short
time was sent by Washington to New-England
In 1780 he was with Washington at Morris-
to make requisition for men and provisions.

Soon after, he was ordered to New-England,
to West Point.
collected a body of militia, and marched them

Gen. Stark was one of the "Court Martial"
who decided the fate of "Major Andre," and
reluctantly, though in obedience to his duty
and for his country's advantage, favored the
sentence of death upon that brave, but unfor-
tunate officer.

In 1781 he again took charge of the Northern Department. The country was overrun with robbers and tories, and he had but a weak and inefficient force, but his strict diseipline and stern justice dealt out to spies and The capture of Lord Cornwallis brought the tories, soon brought things into better order. war to a close, but Gen. Stark was ordered to but the battle of Ben-New Hampshire for men and supplies. nington dispelled them, as a bright rising sun dispels the thick clouds of an autumnal morning. The Battle of Bennington has well been called "the first link in a chain of splendid successes that secured our Independence."

---

The most of 1782 he was afflicted with a rheumatic complaint, brought on by long exIn 1783, however, he joined Washington, posure, and was not able to join his command. and soon after aided, by his counsels, in allayGen. Stark forthwith made a report of his ing those feelings of disquiet excited by the success to the Legislature of New-Hampshire, treacherous Newberg Letters, among the offiwhere the news was received with rejoicing.cers and soldiers of the army. Upon news of The news was received at Concord on the Sab-peace, Stark bore the happy intelligence to bath, during the service at "the Old North." New-Hampshire, and forthwith retired to his The late Jonathan Eastman, Esq. brought the farm at Derryfield, to enjoy that repose he so news and announced it at the door. The Rev. much needed. Mr Walker, himself a firm patriot, stopt short in the services, and in a voice tremulous with the emotions of joy, announced to the audience, "Gen. Stark has conquered the enemy at Bennington, let us give thanks to God for his favor." He then resumed the services and went through with them as if there had been no interruption. After the services, this good old patriot went round shaking the hands of his parishioners, and cheering them with the bright prospects that were dawning upon them. 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

But his active mind could not be at rest, and he engaged in all of those plans for the He was ever advantage of the town and State, which were so necessary to be matured, and carried out by clear heads and strong nerves. found upon the side of his country, and when, in 1786, discontent had ripened into open rebellion, and the Legislature had been surrounded by armed malcontents, the veteran Stark stood ready for the occasion, and would have volunteered his services, had not the insurrection been repressed by the judicious councils and determined action of the gallant Sullivan who was, at that time, most opportunely, at the head of our State government.

THE FARM HOUSE.

PROSPECTUS.

ly Visitor, at a cost of one dollar, and a dozen fine engravings into the bargain-of themselves worth more than the price of the volume! The price to subscribers will be one dollar a tion will be taken for less than a year.

Ir is proposed to continue, at Manchester, year, invariably in advance, and no subscripN. H. the publication of

THE FARMER'S MONTHLY VISITOR.

The editorial department will be under the charge of C. E. POTTER, whose experience as an editor, it is hoped, will retain a portion of that patronage so amply bestowed upon the Visitor, while under the control of his lamented predecessor.

In addition to the original design and arrangement of the Visitor, as so ably conducted for eleven years, by that popular writer and practical Farmer, the late Hon. Isaac Hill, the present publishers propose to give in the new Arrangements are being made to secure regseries of this publication, biographical and ular contributions for the Visitor, from some historical sketches of men and scenes of our of the best writers in and out of the State and State, and such articles upon practical subjects when completed, their names will be announconnected with mechanical skill and educa- ced. Meantime we would say that a number tional enterprise, as are calculated to subserve of distinguished writers in the Agricultural, the best interests of the Shop and the School | Horticultural and Educational Departments Room.

The publishers would remark with Mr Hill, that it is not intended that this publication shall interfere with any of the useful, religious, political, literary or agricultural journals of this or any other State, as with the patronage extended to them, there is ample room for the Visitor, with its marked distinctive character. We intend to make the Visitor a work worthy the patronage of our whole people, and with the patronage they are so well able to bestow, we can and will make it a work creditable to our State. But then it must be borne in mind, that publishers and editors alone, cannot make it such. Patronage is the capital that ensures success to such an enterprise. And without such capital, publishing or editorial ability is of little avail.

The Visitor will be published once a month, on fine paper, in octavo form of thirty-two pages, containing each two columns, and will be printed upon new and beautiful brevier, obtained for its exclusive use.

are already secured.

The Visitor will be published hereafter on the first Wednesday of every month.

In conclusion, the publishers would pledge themselves to spare no pains or expense to merit the patronage of the public, and cannot but hope that it will be liberally bestowed upon their enterprize.

ROWELL, PRESCOTT & CO. Manchester, Jan. 1, 1852.

THE AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS OF
OUR STATE.

OUR agricultural prospects were never better than at the present time. People are beginning to learn the fact that there is profit as well as health and pleasure, upon a well tilled New Hampshire farm. For years, speculation and emigration have been in the way of the developement of our agricultural resources. Our young men and men of middle age, have employed their entire energies and often their whole resources, in purchasing large land estates in the east and in the west, when one half of the energy and resources thus em

home, would have reclaimed much of our waste land, put that under cultivation in good tilth, and at the same time, would have left individuals in far better pecuniary situations, and our state at large, in a much more prosperous condition.

An engraving will accompany every number, generally the portrait of some New-Hampshire man, or view of some New-Hampshire scene, together with various illustrations upon wood.ployed, judiciously applied to the soil at For this object they have already prepared or in course of preparation, portraits of Governors Wentworth, Pierce and Woodbury; Generals Pepperell, Stark, Sullivan, Dearborn and McNeil; Dr. Belknap and President Appleton; a view of Young Black Hawk in harness; a fac simile of an original letter from John Hogkins, the destroyer of Quocheco; and near an hundred autographs of distinguished men and women who have figured in our history.

Ten years since, if no other chance for speculation presented itself, the hale, stout and hearty were seen mounted upon wagons and go-carts, carrying about hay presses, threshing Each number will contain about forty thou- machines, washing machines and corn shellers, sand words, making a volume, with title page when they would have looked much better at and index, of 400 pages, containing three home following a farm horse or gracing a hay hundred and sixty thousand words, with a cart. At a still later period, our young men were fine engraving-and all for the price of one all attacked by the gold fever. California was dollar. Cooper's novel, "The Pilot," contains the spell that bound every neighborly gatherless than one hundred and eighty thousanding, at the farm house, the country tavern, or words-and as Cooper's works can no where at the corners of the streets, while "apples of be bought, in the cheapest form, less than gold in pictures of silver" floated in the visfifty cents per volume, five of his volumes at ions of the dreaming, of all classes in the coma cost of two dollars and fifty cents, will con-munity.

tain no more matter than the Farmer's Month- But the mania of speculation has had its day.