Battle of Ridgefield (1777)

In late April 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, several hundred Patriot militia under Benedict Arnold confronted British forces commanded by Major General William Tryon at Ridgefield, Connecticut. The militia were driven from Ridgefield's main street in a running battle, though they inflicted British casualties. The British expedition was a tactical success, but it galvanized Patriot resistance in Connecticut.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Danbury depot had been established in 1776 by order of the Second Continental Congress and primarily served forces in the Hudson River valley. In April 1777, about 50 Continental Army soldiers and 100 local militia under Colonel Joseph Platt Cooke, a local resident, were stationed there. Command of the British operation was given to General Tryon, whose fleet sailed from New York on April 22, 1777.

British Landing and March to Danbury. On April 25, 1777, a British force under Major General William Tryon, the Royal Governor of the Province of New York, landed at Compo, Connecticut, between Fairfield and Norwalk in present-day Westport. From there the British marched to Danbury, beginning the series of skirmishes that included Tryon's Raid on Danbury and the Battle of Compo Hill.

Battle of Ridgefield and Outcome. The main encounter took place at Ridgefield, where several hundred militia under Arnold's command confronted the British. The Patriots were driven away in a running battle down the town's main street, but not before inflicting casualties on the British. The expedition was a tactical success for the British, yet their pursuit of the raid galvanized Patriot support in Connecticut.

People involved

Sources

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