The New York herald., 1879-07-05
NEW HAVEN'S CENTENNIAL.
CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF The
BRITISH INvASION-GALA DAY IN THE CITY
OF ELMs-GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIC PA
RADE-- HISTORICAL GRAFTON BY REV. LEONARD
BACON. las
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
Tai,

RADE-HISTORICAL GRAFTON BY REV. LEONARD
BACON. 3s
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
NEW HAVEN. July 4. 1879.
Just century ago tomorrow New Haven was in
the possession of British soldery 1t place of
only 1000 people. but of the principal points
the colony and the patriotic spirit of people had
marked it for British revenge To-day the GEN.
ennia anniversary of its invasion by the notorious
General Tryon commemorated by ceremonies of
fitting character and. If in forgctsuuess of the
event of 1779 the coors of Great Britain often
found ntertwined with those of America in the
decorations which everywhere ornsmented the
streets and residences of the town. An enjoyable
feature the cool atmosphere refreshing breeze
blowing throughout the day.
THE INVASION.
The event celebrated was one of no ordinary sig
nifcance in the Revolutionary period The expedi
tion against New Haven was planned by Sir Henry
Clinton. the British commander -in-chief whose
headquarters were in New York and the command
intrusted to Major General Tryon. officer
who by his wanton destruction Of property in
Danbury two years before. had proved his
fitness for the work. which, by the instructions
OF the Bi tish Ministry. to be done Conrrcct
cut. On Friday, the I'd Of July. 1779. he received
from Sir Henry Clinton 2o his final Instructions and
East River with feet Of forty-eight vessels. Un-
questonably his intention was to arrive here
Sunday and celebrate the fourth of the
Declaration of Independence by the destruction
of one Of the nnest places in the New
tor the first public Celebration in New
Haven Of the Declaration. the Fourth occurring
Sunday: On the morning of the 5th the fleet, de-
Haven and came to anchor. The troops on board
numbered 5000, and at sunrise l.5O0 landed and
began their march toward New Haven.
STOUT RESISTANCE.
Meantime the inhabitants had not been ignorant OF
their danger The fleet had been sighted vt Green
field westfeld tnow Brdeeport) and other points
along shore. and 1t was known that New Haven
the objective point. There was hasty ralying for
defence. Instead of proposing n surrender they
proposed to defend their town against a disciplined
army sustained bv naval force. There
was not iortiaeation in the place save
only insignificant work the
Haven shore and a smaller one on Oyster Point But
the militia sprang to arms on that quiet july morn
ing and prepared to defend their homes with their
lives-nerved to heroism they were by the news
of Tryon's wanton outrages in every place he had
visited. The first stand made Milford
Heights and decisive the resistance tnat the
British finally sought an entrance to the town by
crcutous march OF nine miles. following the Derby
CALLED by scattering fire. but finally
by overwhelming numbers forced an entrance to
the town about noon. Another British division
landed at the south end under the immediate COM
nand OF General Tryon, and attacked the fortihca-
ton Black Rock. while the vessels gave efficient
aid. AS the fort had only three guns and nineteen
men it speedily evacuated The principal fight
ing during the day at Ditch Corners NEAR the
present BrOouWayD, anu tuc TOTAL Dritlsn lOss
cording to the papers of the day. was twenty-seven
killed and nineteen wounded. The American
loss was somewhat less Yale College had i;s
part i'll the defence many of the students joining
band under Captain Hillhouse. Dr. Daggett. at that
time president OF the college. friend OF
the American cause, and arming himself with u
musket, joined his fellow citizens. He wounded
and taken prisoner near Westbrdge but
leased through the OF the guide for tho
British. who was a former pupil When asked il he
would again take up arms he is said 20 nave pluckfy
replied. II rather believe shall il get an oppor-
tunity.
THE TOWN pLuNDEnEp.
The British. having full possession OF the town.
began work OF promiscuous plunder sparing moth
ing excepting the property of few loyalists. No
residences were burned but furniture destroyed
and the people robbed of their plate. Watches
money and all articles of value that could readily be
carried on On the following morning Tuesday,
the British quietly called in their guards. and
,%s papers the dsy n reporting this a
American miitiamen from the adjoining houses in
remain longer In embarking tho invaders were
seriously harasscd, aud their vessels returned the
left to the last to nre the wharves and vessels SO
ended the invasion The next morning Tryon feet
anchored of Fairfield and burned that village and tho
folio wing day destroyed Norwalk.
CELEBRATIoN.
In celebrating the affair New Haven's citizens have
Sss and streamers and transpsrsncies RAJ spare Chapel
street, along the route of tho procession, Is
Of colors and so are the military armores and all
elaborately decorated, vieing with those orna-
mented at the pubic expense. Early this morn
ing extra trains aud other means Of trans
poraon poured thousands Of visitors into the city.
aud by nine o'clock the principal streets were
packed Military and other organizations joined the
throng. including the Fifth Massachusetts, militia,
with eight companies; the Governors Horse Guards.
from Hartfordi the sarsheld Rihes from Water
bury; the Guifford Artillery. the Burnside Guard
of South Norwalk. aud other companies
of the Fourth regiment. ,c.NG.; nre en-.
gine companies, posts OF the Grand Army
thp RepIhlic and misce aueoua aocietica from
within a radius of thirty miles more. In every
instance the visitors well received the arrange
ments in THIS respect being highly creditable.
Among the special guests of the city authorities
the Mayors OF Hartford. Waterbury, Middetown,
Meriden and other places, who were entertained ut
the Mayors office while the visiting journalists
afforded every facility by the local press committee
TItf PARADE.
This was grand affair. II included not less than
five thousand persons, was over two miles in length
aud was more than an hour in passing given point
o'clock started of march OF nearly Ave
miles under the command OF Chief Mar
abr1 Harmon Fra. the military. the