the raid of danbury

Danbury, Connecticut was where several roads converged. George Washington chose Danbury as a supply base as it was a trading and manufacturing center. Washington picked Danbury in early 1777.

Protecting Danbury supplies for the Continental Army were 150 men. Danbury was thought of as well protected, not by troops, but by geography. It was located about 25 miles inland from Long Island Sound. Its location was considered out of reach for the British. 

The supplies at Danbury were important to the Continentals. With New York City and Long Island controlled by the British, a supply base for Washington's Army was vital.

The base was led by Colonel Jedediah Huntington and Colonel Joseph Cooke. 

The British decided to land troops via ship to raid Danbury. They could not haul wagons and decided before they were ashore to burn the supplies. British ships did their job as Captain Henry Duncan commanded the landing of about 1,500 British troops and Americans loyal to the Crown. Major General William Tryon led the British to raid Danbury.

William Tryon. Circa 1767.

The landing party landed at Compo Beach and unloaded their supplies for the march to Danbury after landing on April 21 - 25, 1777. The march started about 5 PM on the 25th. Colonists in the area sent the alarm to Danbury that the British were on the way.

The Continental's medical supplies were moved to New Milford as the 150 men busily removed as much supply as they could. They retreated along with the supplies as Tryon's troops raided Danbury.

The British burned 1,000 barrels of flour and much more and went on to burn storehouses in the town. After sufficient destruction of the supplies, the British went on the defensive anticipating an attack from Colonial Militia.

This post from connecticuthistory.org was a source.

This post from history.com was a source.