The New York herald., 1879-07-09
TRYON's INVASION.

One hundred years ago this morning the now
charming town OF Fairfield. studded with the costly
residences of New York's men of wealth. was the
scene of terrible devastation. The day previous
nearly two hundred buildings the homes of patri.
otic people. had lined the roadways; but few short
hours of Tryon's vengeance swept everything away.
The expedition commanded by General Tryon to
devastate the Connecticut seaports from New
Haven westward had been planned by Sir
Henry Clinton with the design of inducing
Washington to send forces to Connecticut
and thus weaken his army on the Hudson. But It
failed in this respect, and the British gained even
less in revenge and in punder than they had antici
pated. New Haven repulsed them and made their
work Of destroying that place almost failure for the
militia had rallied 30 promptly from the surround.
ing country that it was deemed expedient to with
draw to their ships The British left the after
noon of July 6, 1779. and on the following morning
their feet was discerned by the little garrison Of
twenty men in the earthwork on Glover's Hill. ON
the Fairfield shore Of the Sound. signal gun gave
warning of the already anticipated arrival
Of the enemy. and when the morning mist
had foated away the feet was seen at
anchor of Kensies Point. During the afternoon
1900 troops under Generals Tryon and Garth disem.
barked their mission Of destruction. Tryon
located his headquarters in the Buckley House.
which stood to the Of the site Of the present
structure and the old Court House. Rev. Dr. Sayre q
missionary Of the Church of England and some cti-
of tory proclivities had conference with him
and secured promise that the churches. parsonages
and several other buildings should be spared. Mean
time the majority of the Inhabitants had secured
their valuable goods and fed to the back coun-
try. The fighting men of the town gathered under
command of Colonel Whiting and began dcsul-
tory fire on the invaders but were compelled to
fall back confronted they were by an overwhelm-
ing force of disciplined troops. During the after
noon they were reinforced by minute men from the
nd N tha Rrif or1txa S<o
extending to Round Hill near the present line OF the
New York and New Haven Railroad. The little town
HILL and within less than half mile of the shore.
The earthwork Glover's Hill, before referred to-
twelve FOUNDERS and although bombarded ali the
afternoon by British gunboat did not haul down its
flag. 1t is somewhat singular fact that no report
mishing was ever made
APPLYING THE roncH
Toward nightfal the British began their real work.
Every house. with three or four exceptions was
plundered Of every valuable that could be carried
of. and what could not was destroyed. The
troops given free license, and most das-
tardly were the acts of the Hessian soldiery.
the Ysgers and Landgraves. Not satisfied with their
toward the few women who had remained at homo,
trusting in their sex for their protection AS tha
sight OF the sun faded in the west the sight of burn
ing buildings the doomed town. All
night long was heard the fierce cracking Of the
flames. and in the morning the soldiery infurated
by liquor and riotous excesses, disregarded the or
dcrs Of Tryon and fred the churches and other
buildings that he had promised to protect. Alto.
gether nearly hundred buildings were destroyed
houses, ninety-seven dwellings, forty-eight stores
and workshops and seventy-six barns. few were
saved. including Tryon's headquarters and three
houses ut hand. which yet in existence and
preserved as relics, bat modernzed and largely re-
were burned and who was left with eight little ones
to look after. sought British protection and was
taken to New York while the work Of pillage and
fire in progress in Fairfield village. Tryon
u detachment three miles westward to Green's
Farms and destroyed that place. During the fore
noon of the Sth the whole body of troops embarked
and the fleet crossed the Sound to Huntington,
j.: l.. returning three days later to Norwalk. That
place was burned. only six houses being spared.
Southport was not then settled.
REIxEY MEAsUREs.
This terminated the Connections invasion. The
l792 the Connecticut Legislature gave Ave hundred
thousand acres Of land in what IL now Huron
ons WORK. OF the proceeds Fairfield received about
$120.O0O In later years these lands received the
name Of the Burned Lands" attributed by Profess
sor J. Hammond Trumbull. of Hartford. to the fact
Of the purpose for which they given. The an
cestors OF Secretary and General sherman belonged
in Norwalk and went out and settled in Ohio on land
purchased in this tract.
THE CELEBRATION.
This morning broke misty and uncomfortable
with indications Of y rain storm, but by the hour
appointed for the ceremonies the clouds lifted and
it decided to hold them the public square
cording to the programme. platform erected be-
meath the great elms and handsomely decorated with
bunting Lines of flags stretched among the trees
in every direction and the court house opposite the
stand was gay with fags among which were seen
the English ana American colors intertvined. Over
the main entrance was the inscription
! l779. Liberty and Union, one and insepara- {
BILE. now and forever. 1879.
The church north of the square decorated.
also the Merwin house and many Of the elegant
mansions which stretch along the wide elm.
bowered main thoroughfare OF the town. At ten
O'Clock the pealing bells opened the celebration,
and half hour later Governor Andrews was escorted
from, tha hV hAuf Inv
band. The platform was speedily filed. and Rev.
Dr. Samuel Osgood called to order the assemblsge,
was literally sprinkled with tho bright summer
toilets Of the ladies'. Tho band played the Star
spanged Banner" and prayer wa WAS offered BY Rev.
to the air OF the Italian Hymn the "Commemoration
Hymn" beautiful compostion by Miss Mabel.
daughter of Rev. samuel Osgood. As the last notes
died away there tho peaks Of the of hag-
stats the United States Dag. the old Continental
flag with its thirteen stars. and the nag of Great
Britain.
1t is worthy Of mention . singular feet that In
planning the celebration considerable opposition to
This came from descendants Of those who had sui.
fered century ago, but wiser counsels prevailed,
tact in token OF the prevailing amity between this
and the mother country. Rev. DIR. Rankin delivered
the historical address. IN which. after relating the
early history OF Fairfield he detailed ct length the
destruction OF the place by Tryon's troops; and
Rev. Mr.. Lombard covered the same ground with
RSis closed ths forsnoons programme. snd tue a.
scmblage then repaired TO the tables. an abundant
collation. being furnished Free Governor Andrews and
other invited had banquet In the Court House
hall. The sonorous roll of the drum reassembled
the people ut the grand stand In the afternoon.
where patriotic addresses-many of them replcts
with "reminiscences OF the invasion-were delivered
by Governor Andrews. Rev. Samuel Osgood; Rev. K.
Il. Rogers, of New York; y. T. Barnum, Of Bridge
port; Rev. DIR. Powers. OF bridgeport. and others.
Mr.. Barnum gave characteristic speech. provoking
alternate laughter and applause. The escorting OF
the Governor to the depot closed tho ceremonies Of
the day.
Letters received by Mr.. William A. Beers,
chairman OF the Committee of Arrangements, and
secretary OF the Centennial Commemoration, from
several distinguished gentlemen declining invita-
tions to be present Sir Edward Thornton. British
Minister ut Washington, wrote:-
BRITISH LEGATION.
WAsHINroE, July 8, 1879
WILLIAM A. BEERS, Esq. Secretary Centennial Commsu-
GRAFTON -.
sr-I much obliged to you for the kind Invitation
which have forwarded TO be ~ ceremonies
to take place at Fairfield the 9Th inst Irogret, how
ever that previous engagements will prevent avaing
myself oft a the same time beg 70 assure you OF the
highest appreciation which entortan Of the
shown the country which have the