New Britain herald., 1928-07-07


nesday to next Wednesday, for 149
years ago, in July, 1919. the British
General William Tryon conducted a
trio OF devastating raids on the
towns along the Sound and did dam
age estimated at $1.250 900. New
Haven. Fairfield, and Norwalk were
the scenes OF devastation.
Early in July of that year a fleet
OF IS ships Was reported moving up
the Sound, but this caused no alarm,
as the passage OF such ,squadrons
was not unusual. This particular
lish and Hessians under Tryon, as
we'll as 1900 marines and sailors for
landing purposes. And at sunrise on
July 5 troops were seen to be dis
embarking at West Haven.
The Fourth had fallen on Sunday,
10 New Haven was looking forward
to d celebration OF the third anniver-
sary of Independence Day. but be-
fore nightfall the activity and noise
OF the days battle was 10 be such as
to make even "a modern July 4 seem
tame. The alarm bells. in fact, were
at first taken as part of the days
observance, and the militia was slow
In collecting.
1,5OO Land at West Haven
The landing at West Haven was
effected by General Garth with l,5ou
men, and this force, guided by
former New Haven resident, push
ed on with the intention Of crossing
the Mill river bridge and entering
the city. TO meet it New Haven
mustered its scanty but determined
defenders. The Governors Foot
Guard under Capt James HillhouSe,
$50 militia under 1t. Col. Sabin. two
gun crews under Capt. Phineas
Bradley, and d group of Yale stu
dents reached the bridge ahead of
the British and began to assail the
invaders by the usual American tao
tics. Taking advantage OF every bit
OF cover. small groups and indi-
viduals kept up d running fire as
they retired. delaying the British
and holding them off until the
bridge had been destroyed. one of
those who gave his life in this
skirmish was Rev. Prof. Eliphalet
Daggett. a former president OF Yale,
who was beaten and captured, then
forced to march as a prisoner, with
the result that he never recovered
and died several months later.
The demolition OF the bridge fore
ed the British to detour northward
along the Danbury road under an
intermittent fire from troops led by
Aaron Burr, but they finally man.
aged to cross the stream and then
swung back through the streets of
New Haven, hating every few blocks
to fire cannon which spread DAM
age and terror.
Meanwhile Tryon himself had
landed on the eastern shore OF the
bay and attacked the pitiful little
of Fort Rock. which
had only three guns. This was man.
fully defended by a handful of men
under Capt. Joseph Bradley and
Capt. Amos Norris and the invaders
were held off for some time and
then given further ,bec,, on
BEACON hill, whore the determins-
ton of the Americans stonned them
more than did some ba,f-dur
trenches and one p,u Most of tho |
force was composed of !
townspeop1e, but they fought as
,tubbornlv as regulars before with /
5ra wing to Fast Haven.
Hmuses Near nfs.k Rurncd
Trvon was then forried over 10
New Haven. where he consulted
with Garth The latter ureed that
there be no property destruction
n hjch was unnecessary Tryon issued
, nroc,a nation to the effect that
Loyalists and their nronertv we're
,afe. and. with one exceptjon the
,nly houses which were burned we're
, few near the docks This ono ox.
va. tho mansion If can
ain Morris at Morris rive Nanv
ra1uah,e na,ere however nero
stolen and later thrown into the
sound
Rv noy Tho Connecticut n,i,i,;,
vas assembling and ,o,voroi,e nm
lew Haven to oxne, tho invaders
General Ward with LARGO force
vas c,ose at hand and Trvor d.rsd
,ot linear He embarked With YEARLY
III HE forca during tho ,iob. and
his small remnant Wi. subiecte cd IN
CALLING fire and driven off tho
oIlovino aftornoo,
Tho fleet tbsn st,rtod dou.r tho
.o,nd and m III, IN 40 y,.rs ,,o
odav. Tryon landed at Fairfield
Roth he and Garth ;seuaa nosi,;,.
,rders that M nronerty u,s 70 ho
Iestroyod h,t .s soo,, 40 tha ,;,,,
orce Of militia had been driven off
10Th British and Hessiaus io;ncd in
,i,1ace hur,ir, 90 b,,;,a;nns j.,