They were Germans who lay on Burgoyne's left and Burgoyne sent Colonel Baum, an efficient officer, with five or six hundred men to attack the New Englanders and bring in the supplies.

It was a stupid blunder to send Germans among a people specially incensed against the use of these mercenaries.

There was no surprise.

Many professing loyalists, seemingly eager to take the oath of allegiance, met and delayed Baum.

When near Bennington he found in front of him a force barring the way and had to make a carefully guarded camp for the night.