Minuteman Minute | John Stark and the New Hampshire Militia at the Battle of Bennington

When a British army threatened New England, New Hampshire called upon John Stark to stop them, and he did.

Hi, I’m Will Roulett, director of the National Guard Memorial Museum here in D.C., and this is YOUR Minuteman Minute! This painting by Don Troiani depicts the Battle of Bennington in which John Stark led New England militias to victory against a force of German mercenaries, loyalists, and Native Americans. In the summer of 1777, a British army marched south from Canada, threatening New York and New England. New Hampshire placed Stark in command of the state’s militia, and he caught up with the enemy on Aug. 16. His men surrounded the enemy, attacked from every direction, and mortally wounded the German commander. When the battle seemed over, German reinforcements arrived and almost took the field, but the Vermont Militia got there just in time, ensuring an American victory. The British lost 1,000 men at Bennington and the confidence of their Indian allies, which contributed to the American victory at Saratoga two months later. Today, Batteries B and C, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment of the New Hampshire Army National Guard descend from New Hampshire forces that fought in the American Revolution. Come learn about this – and a whole lot more – at the National Guard Memorial Museum. I’m Will Roulett, and that’s been your Minuteman Minute, brought to you by the National Guard Educational Foundation.