Born on August 28, 1728, in Nutfield, New Hampshire, John Stark emerged as a pivotal figure in the American Revolution. He embodied the spirit of defiance with his famous words, “Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils,” a sentiment he expressed long before it became New Hampshire’s state motto. This unwavering commitment to liberty defined his military career and his enduring legacy as the “Hero of Bennington.”
At the dawn of the American Revolution, John Stark, a seasoned veteran, promptly rejoined the military ranks, this time serving the Continental Army. He was appointed Colonel of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, a testament to his prior military experience and respected leadership. During the critical Siege of Boston, Stark and his regiment were strategically positioned on the northern flank of the Charlestown peninsula. Demonstrating remarkable foresight, Colonel Stark anticipated the tactical maneuvers of his British adversary, General William Howe. He ordered the construction of a robust breastwork along the beach, a preemptive measure designed to thwart any flanking attempts by Howe’s light infantry. Stark’s prediction proved accurate when approximately 350 British light infantrymen launched an assault on his regiment. The 1st New Hampshire Regiment unleashed devastating volleys upon wave after wave of British attackers, repelling them with heavy casualties and forcing the survivors into retreat, having suffered a third of their force lost.
In 1776, John Stark continued to demonstrate his military prowess by successfully leading his troops at the significant Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Following the grueling winter campaigns, Stark returned to New Hampshire to undertake the crucial task of recruiting fresh troops for the 1st New Hampshire Regiment. However, upon his return, he discovered a significant oversight: he had been passed over for a promotion to brigadier general. Feeling deeply undervalued and betrayed by this decision, Stark made the principled choice to resign from military service. Despite attempts by fellow generals to dissuade him, Stark remained firm in his decision. He astutely recognized a growing British threat emanating from Canada and declared his readiness to confront it from New Hampshire, reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to his home state.
John Stark’s intuition once again proved correct. He began mobilizing a militia force to defend New Hampshire and Vermont against the advancing forces of British General John Burgoyne. The New Hampshire Provincial Congress, recognizing his indispensable leadership, commissioned Stark as a brigadier general. As Burgoyne’s army marched southward, logistical challenges arose, particularly the need for supplies. Bennington, Vermont, was identified as a location with substantial stores. Burgoyne dispatched a force under the command of Lt. Col. Friedrich Baum to seize these vital supplies. Stark, alerted to the approaching British, gathered his militia at Bennington on August 13, 1777. Initial skirmishes occurred the following day, but the decisive Battle of Bennington commenced on August 16th. Stark’s men launched a fierce attack against the British forces at Walloomsac, New York, approximately ten miles from Bennington. Stark vividly described the intensity of the battle, stating it was “the hottest engagement I have ever witnessed, resembling a continual clap of thunder.” The Patriot forces effectively encircled Baum’s troops, and Baum himself suffered a mortal wound during the intense fighting. Nightfall brought a cessation to the battle, culminating in a resounding American victory. This triumph at Bennington was a crucial precursor to the pivotal British defeat at Saratoga a few months later, marking a major turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Throughout the remainder of the Revolutionary War, John Stark remained actively engaged in service. His significant contributions were finally officially recognized by Congress on September 30, 1783, when he was promoted to major general. Following the official conclusion of the war, Stark honorably resigned from duty on November 3, 1783. He lived a long and impactful life, passing away in 1822 at the age of 94. Remarkably, he was the last surviving general of the Revolutionary War, a testament to his enduring presence throughout this formative period of American history. John Stark’s legacy as a courageous leader and unwavering patriot remains firmly etched in the annals of American history.
