Baum Site 24: Baum’s Demise

Listen to the Road to the Battle of Bennington Site 24 Audio Narration:

 

After a stubborn defense of the hilltop defenses, Baum’s troops ran out of ammunition and the position was overrun. Squeezed from the east and west, the remainder of the forces fled down the hill and gathered in a field near the bend in the Walloomsac.  Baum gathered his men for a final stand and led a saber charge. During the charge, Baum and Pfister were mortally wounded. They were carried to the Matthews House and later buried along the Walloomsac. Baum’s gravesite is unknown, most likely it has been washed away by the meandering river, but a Vermont historic marker indicates the location of the Matthews House, just east of the Vermont border on Route 67.

At the bridge, where our Lieut. Col. Baum was standing, the cannon and volley fire had ceased. Capt. Dommes, who was covering our left flank and rear, was driven back with his few men and captured; we could see this quite well from our mountain. We were thus completely encircled.