BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Museum will host a Bennington Historical Society reading and book signing by historian Michael P. Gabriel, author of "The Battle of Bennington: Soldiers and Civilians," on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. A new and intriguing approach to the reporting of the Battle of Bennington, according to supplied material, Gabriel focuses in detail on the people who participated in the bloody event.

The program, held in the Ada Paresky Education Center, is free and open to the public.

On Aug. 16, 1777, a motley militia won a resounding victory near Bennington, against combined German, British and Loyalist forces -- a victory that laid the foundation for the American victory at Saratoga two months later.

Gabriel has researched and collected more than 50 firsthand accounts from the people who experienced this engagement, including veterans from both sides and civilians -- women and children who witnessed the horrors of the battle. Comparing one man's recollection to others, and data from town histories, personal correspondence, newspaper accounts, first-person narratives and more, Gabriel brings to his presentation detailed accounts covering demographics, motivations, friendships and other relationships of the Battle of Bennington.

Gabriel, a professor of history at Kutztown University, earned his BS at Clarion University, his MA at St. Bonaventure, and his PhD at Penn State. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Association, the Society of Military History, the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association, and the KutztownArea Historical Society. His written works include "Major General Richard Montgomery: The Making of an American Hero" (2002). He has co-edited "Quebec During the American Invasion, 1775-1776: The Journal of Francois Baby, Gabriel Taschereau, and Jenkin Williams" (2005).

The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main St. (Route 9). For information call 802-447-1571 or visit benningtonmuseum.org.