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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.00581 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0016] January-April 1777 |
| Title | Ralph Isaacs to Lucy Knox detailing Battle of Ridgefield |
| Date | 30 April 1777 |
| Author | Isaacs, Ralph (1741-1799) |
| Recipient | Knox, Lucy Flucker |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes that his health has improved, and his wife is recovering from smallpox. Details the Battle of Ridgefield (27 April 1777) and the British actions leading up to it. Says British troops landed near Norwalk, marched to Danbury, and there destroyed Continental stores. Then relates how General Wooster and his men fought the British with "justice and bravery," but Wooster received a wound that he thinks may prove fatal. Next the British engaged General Arnold's forces, with both sides suffering heavy losses, his friend doctor Attwater of New Hampshire among them. Pierpont Edwards and "several New Haven gentlman" are missing and may be prisoners. The British troops escaped by boat, but he tells Lucy "Had our people been well commanded it is said the Kings Troops would have all been destroyed." Sends his best to the family and Mrs. Pollard. The battle of Ridgefield was fought on 27 April 1777. General Tryon had brought his British forces to Danburry expecting to be warmly greeted by loyalists. When he realized that the Americans were not welcoming he turned to retreat by boat. General Wooster attacked him and slowed his retreat, giving Benedict Arnold's forces enough time to engage the British. Though the Americans did not defeat the British in battle, the British were forced to retreat. |
| Subjects | Prisoner of War Smallpox Disease Battle Revolutionary War Health and Medical Military History Global History and Civics Military Supplies Bravery Revolutionary War General Injury or Wound Death Navy |
| People | Knox, Lucy Flucker (1756-1824) Isaacs, Ralph (1741-1799) Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) Wooster, David (1711-1777) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Place written | Wallingford, Connecticut |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Women in American History; Health & Medicine; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | David Wooster was a Major-General of Connecticut Troops. He died 2 May 1777 from wounds received at Ridgefield 27 April 1777. Mrs. Pollard was the wife of Jonathan Pollard who owned the store next to Henry Knox's bookshop. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide Download PDF |