<P> Burgoyne's army was readying to cross the Hudson at Fort Edward on August 17 when the first word of the battle arrived . Believing that reinforcements might be necessary, Burgoyne marched the army toward Bennington until further word arrived that Breymann and the remnants of his force were returning . Stragglers continued to arrive throughout the day and night, while word of the disaster spread within the camp . </P> <P> The effect on Burgoyne's campaign was significant . Not only had he lost nearly 1,000 men, of which half were regulars, but he also lost the crucial Indian support . In a council following the battle, many of the Indians (who had traveled with him from Quebec) decided to go home . This loss severely hampered Burgoyne's reconnaissance efforts in the days to come . The failure to bring in nearby supplies meant that he had to rely on supply lines that were already dangerously long, and that he eventually broke in September . The shortage of supplies was a significant factor in his decision to surrender at Saratoga, following which France entered the war . </P> <P> American Patriots reacted to news of the battle with optimism . Especially after Burgoyne's Indian screen left him, small groups of local Patriots began to emerge to harass the fringes of British positions . Interestingly, a significant portion of Stark's force returned home and did not again become influential in the campaign until appearing at Saratoga on October 13 to complete the encirclement of Burgoyne's army . </P> <P> John Stark's reward from the New Hampshire General Assembly for "the Memorable Battle of Bennington" was "a compleat suit of Clothes becoming his Rank". A reward that Stark likely valued the highest was a message of thanks from John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, which included a commission as "brigadier in the army of the United States". </P>

Who was involved in the battle of bennington