- Stark, John
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born Aug. 28, 1728, Londonderry, N.H.died May 8, 1822, Manchester, N.H., U.S.American Revolutionary officer.He served in the French and Indian War with Robert Rogers's Rangers (1754–59). In the American Revolution he fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and in New Jersey. He commanded the militia that defeated the British at the Battle of Bennington, Vt. Promoted to brigadier general of the Continental Army, he helped force the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga and then served in Rhode Island. In 1780 he was a member of the court-martial that condemned Maj. John André, who had spied for the British. In 1783 he was made a major general.
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▪ United States generalborn August 28, 1728, Londonderry, New Hampshire [U.S.]died May 8, 1822, Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.prominent American general during the American Revolution who led attacks that cost the British nearly 1,000 men and contributed to the surrender of the British general John Burgoyne (Burgoyne, John) at Saratoga (Saratoga, Battles of) by blocking his retreat line across the Hudson River (1777).From 1754 to 1759, Stark served in the French and Indian War with Rogers' Rangers, first as a lieutenant and later as a captain. Made a colonel at the outbreak of the American Revolution, he fought at Bunker Hill (Bunker Hill, Battle of) (June 17, 1775), in the invasion of Canada, and in New Jersey.In March 1777 Stark resigned his commission, but when Burgoyne invaded New York he was made brigadier general of militia. On August 16 his hastily raised troops attacked and defeated British and Hessian detachments at the Battle of Bennington (Bennington, Battle of), Vermont. Stark was thereupon raised to the rank of brigadier general in the Continental Army. He helped force the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York, in October 1777 and served in Rhode Island (1779) and at the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey (1780). The same year, he was a member of the court-martial that condemned Major John André (André, John), who served as a British spy. In September 1783 Stark was made a major general.* * *
Universalium. 2010.