page_title: Tryon's raid
section_title: New Haven
hierarchical_section_title: Tryon's raid / New Haven
caption_attribution_description: English: Map of the British invasion of New Haven, Connecticut, in July 1779. Drawing by Ezra Stiles. Image courtesy of the Yale University Manuscripts &amp; Archives Digital Images Database, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
context_page_description: In July 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, British Major General William Tryon and 2600 men raided the Connecticut ports of New Haven, Fairfield and Norwalk. They destroyed military and public stores, supply houses, and ships, as well as private homes, churches and other public buildings. The raids were ineffectually resisted by militia forces.
  The raid was part of a larger strategy designed by the British commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, to draw Major General George Washington's Continental Army onto terrain where it might be more effectively engaged. The strategy failed, and both sides criticized General Tryon for the severity of his action. Although the raid had economic ramifications, and affected military supplies, Clinton's efforts had no long-term strategic impact.
context_section_description: The fleet sailed from New York on July 3, and reached New Haven (41°18′36″N 72°55′25″W) two days later. Immediately disembarking, Garth's division rapidly gained control of New Haven, and went to work. Although Tryon had given orders that included burning the town, Garth did not do this; he limited his activities to destroying public stores, and seizing or destroying the town's armaments and ships in the harbor. Tryon's division landed in East Haven, Connecticut, where it met spirited resistance from a band of local militia, but managed to take Black Rock Fort. In addition to destroying barns filled with grain, Tryon had local manor houses put to the torch. By the time the British withdrew, over 1,000 militia had mustered from the surrounding towns.
caption: Hand-drawn map by Ezra Stiles showing the British movements at New Haven
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