The Irish standard., 1897-09-25

the traitor, appeared off the harbor Of
New London. A large proportion of the
land force consisted of Tories and Hes
slams, Justly styled by LOSING 'the in
struments employed when anything
cruel was to be performed. They landed
in two divisions of about 800 each; ono
on the east side of the Thames, COM
manded by Col. Eyre, and the other on
the New London side, led by the traitor.
The patriots FASTENED in small parties
to oppose them, but were too few TO
produce much effect other than wound
ing some of the enemy. Fort Trumball
and the advance battery was too feebly
manned to offer resistance, and the
troops Of each evacuated and crossed
over to the stronger post of Fort Girls
void.
The city was thus left exposed to the
enemy, whose great weapon of destruc
tion was the torch. Now commences
the usual mode of English warfare.
First, the stores upon the wharves were
set on fire, and then the dwellings. The
buildings burned on this occasion were
65 dwelling houses, depriving 81 fami-
lies of homes; 81 stores, 20 barns and 9
public and other buildings, making in
all a grand total of 143. The value of
property destroyed was estimated at
about $500,000. Many inhabitants in
comfortable circumstances were now
homeless and wanderers, reduced to alb
solute beggary. None were permitted
to save their furniture, and the sodiery
were allowed free scope of brutality
and plunder.
While the town was being burned and
plundered the traitor stood in the belfry
of church and looked upon the scene
with the apparent satisfaction of hero.
'Had he been content to be traitor
merely" says Losing, "the extenuat-
ing circumstances that have been con-
nected with his treason might have left
feeling of commiseration in the bo-
SONS of American people; but this mur-
derous expedition against the neigh
bors of his childhood and youth, and
town almost in sight of the spire of the
church wherein he was baptized, present
an act of malice too fragrant to be over
looked"
When Fort Trunlbull was evacuated
Arnold sent an order to Col Eyre to
take possession of Fort Griswold in Or
der to prevent the American shipping
from leaving the harbor and sailing up
the river The patriots, to the number
Of 1877, hastily collected for the defense
of the fort-so hastily that many of
them were destitute of weapons. The
enemy approached cautiously through
the woods in the rear, and captured
small advance battery. Col. Eyre then
sent a flag demanding the surrender of
the fort, which was peremptorily re-
fused by Col. Ledyard. An assault was
begun; and an obstinate battle of about
forty minutes ensued, during which the
British were repulsed, and were on the
point of fleeing back to their ships.
At last, being reinforced, the British,
by making an attack in three divisions,
forced the pickets, making their way
into the fosse, and scaled the revetment,
III the face Of severe fire from the brave,
| but small garrison. When sufficient
number had obtained entrance thus far,
they forced their way through the feeble
manned embrasures, and decided the
conflict with bayonets, after desperate
struggle with the handful of brave pa
| triots, many of whom were armed only
with pixies The fort was surrounded
The English lost fifty in killed and up
ward of $50 in wounded; that of the
Americans was not more than twelve
killed before the enemy carried the fort.
When that was effected, Col Ledyard
ordered his men to cease fighting and
lay down their arms, "relying upon the
boasted generosity of the British says
Losing, "for the cessation of blood
she'd" England now carried out chose
seventies that are justified by the rules
Of war and by general practice of all
| nations to quote the words of Lord
Germaine in his dispatch congratulating
the fire fiend Tyron for his burning and
plundering Of American towns.
Instead of treating the captured as
| prisoners of war, the brave Americans
! were surrounded by wolflike Tories, in
| fernal in their malice, and cruel even to
! the worst savagism, and also by the
| hired assassns, the Hessians. They
| kept up their fire and bayonet thrusts
| upon the unarmed patriots, and, OPEN
| ing the gates of the fort. let in blood
thirsty men that were without, at the
head of whom was Major Broomfield.
"Who commanded the garrison?" shout
| ed Broomfield, as he entered. Col. Led
yard replied: II did, sir but you do
ncw," at the same time handing over
| his sword. The Tory miscreant imme-
diately murdered Col. Ledyard by run
ming him through the body with the
weapon he had just surrendered
The massacre continued in all parts
of the fort, until 70 brave men were
killed and IS mortally wounded. The
base traitor. Arnold, in his dispatch to
Sir Henry Clinton, gave the impression