Mike Church

This Day In Founders History – 16 August

On this day in 1777, the Battle of Bennington, Vermont took place, although it was actually fought entirely in Walloomsac, New York, about ten miles to the west. General John Stark and his force of nearly 2,000 men, outnumbering their opponents nearly 2:1, were victorious over the British and Hessian forces.

In 1780 on this day, American forces led by General Horatio Gates are defeated by the British led by General Cornwallis in the Battle of Camden, South Carolina. Casualties were heavy for the Americans. Gates overestimated the capabilities of his untrained militia and failed to organize a proper retreat, leading to the defeat as well as the loss of his commission as General.