Battle of Ridgefield

In late April 1777, British General William Tryon led 2,000 troops on a devastating raid into Connecticut, targeting the major American supply depot at Danbury containing food, clothing, tents, and ammunition for the Continental Army. Tryon landed at Westport and marched inland to Danbury on April 26, burning the town and its supplies despite rain that slowed the fires.

On the British retreat to the coast, Patriot militia commanders Benedict Arnold and the aging General Wooster organized a pursuit. General Wooster, 67 years old, led an attack on the British rear guard and was mortally wounded by a musket ball, dying five days later. Arnold positioned his force across the British line of retreat at Ridgefield, throwing up a makeshift barricade. The British assault broke through the barricade, and Arnold's horse was shot out from under him in the melee. As he struggled to free himself from the fallen horse, a British soldier charged him with a bayonet shouting 'You are my prisoner!' Arnold shot the soldier with his pistol and escaped on foot.

The British made it back to their ships, but the pursuit demonstrated Connecticut's ability to mobilize quickly against raids. Congress voted Arnold a promotion to Major General for his conduct — though controversially not restoring his seniority over officers promoted over him, a grievance that festered for years and contributed to his eventual treason.