Bennington, Saratoga, and the Death of America
Chapter 1: The Rising Tide of the Redcoats
The Failed Bridge Burning, the prelude to Bennington
"The rebels were weak, they suffered from low organization, numbers, and most importantly they lacked morale. They knew their judgement was imminent and, rightfully so. For one who acts with the same treachery that they have shown should pay the ultimate price"- Friedrich Baum August 17th, 1777
*-POD (In OTL the Bridge was burnt and Stark's men escaped)
Chapter 1: The Rising Tide of the Redcoats
The Failed Bridge Burning, the prelude to Bennington
"The rebels were weak, they suffered from low organization, numbers, and most importantly they lacked morale. They knew their judgement was imminent and, rightfully so. For one who acts with the same treachery that they have shown should pay the ultimate price"- Friedrich Baum August 17th, 1777
It there was one moment within the American Revolution turned from a somewhat close fight into a clear loss for the rebels it likely began in the prelude to the Battle of Bennington. John Burgoyne's men were marching south and, even though conditions were declining, many men still held strong morale from the retake of Fort Ticonderoga. The pivotal moment however, was still yet to come.
German General Friedrich Baum and his men had been marching toward Bennington since August 11th, 1777 when they encountered several small bands of patriots. Skirmishes ensued and prisoners were taken and it was from those prisoners that Baum's men learned that the American force stationed at Bennington was much larger than expected. By mere chance Baum's men encountered a detachment of the American General John Stark's men who were scouting reports for Indians in the area. There was a slight skirmish and all nearly appeared lost for the British being able to take prisoners until the rebels made a slight mishap. They were attempting to burn a bridge in order to prevent the British/German/Indian forces from catching them and taking prisoners but were unable to do so in time*. Baum's men caught them and they were taken back to the camp where they were tortured into releasing information on the location and size of the rebel's camp. Most of the men didn't crack but the few who did gave the German General enough sense to ask for a larger band of reinforcements that earlier expected from Burgoyne's main army camped several days away.
The Americans however, were ignorant of the large British presence in the area and assumed the men that they had sent out to scout had indeed found an Indian presence. The men stayed in Bennington and were unaware that in just hours the Battle for the fate of the Revolution was going to begin.
Burgoyne received Baum's message the following day and dispatched Hienrich Von Breymann to lead a large group of men to help take Bennington. In the meantime Buam's men prepared a redoubt and began to slowly creep towards the American Camp. Early plans were made and scouts began to reveal important information on the American force which was camped still in Bennington with little to do. No defensive line was created and most men thought that Burgoyne's men were still deep in the Upper New York wilderness, not right on their doorstep.
Breymann arrived on the 15th of August with about a thousand men and final plans were put into place, the terrible weather which had been plaguing the area appeared to be continuing until finally breaking on the morning of the 16th of August. The British set their lines and with Indian scout advice, began to position themselves for a surprise attack, something which many of the officers (including Breymann, but not Baum) were normally opposed to.
The Americans awoke on the 16th to the sound of gunfire as the British force pummeled the Americans. Many men awoke, heard the battle, and rushed outside still groggy only to be slain by the prepared British. General Stark was slain by midday after attempting to make a morale boosting and line breaking attack against the British and failed upon being dehorsed following a shot to the neck. The American morale crumpled and casualties were high while the British suffered very few. By nightfall the remainder of the force formerly commanded by John Stark had either fled or been captured. The redcoats were victorious.
German General Friedrich Baum and his men had been marching toward Bennington since August 11th, 1777 when they encountered several small bands of patriots. Skirmishes ensued and prisoners were taken and it was from those prisoners that Baum's men learned that the American force stationed at Bennington was much larger than expected. By mere chance Baum's men encountered a detachment of the American General John Stark's men who were scouting reports for Indians in the area. There was a slight skirmish and all nearly appeared lost for the British being able to take prisoners until the rebels made a slight mishap. They were attempting to burn a bridge in order to prevent the British/German/Indian forces from catching them and taking prisoners but were unable to do so in time*. Baum's men caught them and they were taken back to the camp where they were tortured into releasing information on the location and size of the rebel's camp. Most of the men didn't crack but the few who did gave the German General enough sense to ask for a larger band of reinforcements that earlier expected from Burgoyne's main army camped several days away.
The Americans however, were ignorant of the large British presence in the area and assumed the men that they had sent out to scout had indeed found an Indian presence. The men stayed in Bennington and were unaware that in just hours the Battle for the fate of the Revolution was going to begin.
Burgoyne received Baum's message the following day and dispatched Hienrich Von Breymann to lead a large group of men to help take Bennington. In the meantime Buam's men prepared a redoubt and began to slowly creep towards the American Camp. Early plans were made and scouts began to reveal important information on the American force which was camped still in Bennington with little to do. No defensive line was created and most men thought that Burgoyne's men were still deep in the Upper New York wilderness, not right on their doorstep.
Breymann arrived on the 15th of August with about a thousand men and final plans were put into place, the terrible weather which had been plaguing the area appeared to be continuing until finally breaking on the morning of the 16th of August. The British set their lines and with Indian scout advice, began to position themselves for a surprise attack, something which many of the officers (including Breymann, but not Baum) were normally opposed to.
The Americans awoke on the 16th to the sound of gunfire as the British force pummeled the Americans. Many men awoke, heard the battle, and rushed outside still groggy only to be slain by the prepared British. General Stark was slain by midday after attempting to make a morale boosting and line breaking attack against the British and failed upon being dehorsed following a shot to the neck. The American morale crumpled and casualties were high while the British suffered very few. By nightfall the remainder of the force formerly commanded by John Stark had either fled or been captured. The redcoats were victorious.
*-POD (In OTL the Bridge was burnt and Stark's men escaped)
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