The groton battle monument, dedicated in 1830, honors the more than 80 men killed defending the fort during a british raid on september 6, 1781. Groton battle monument 1830 historic buildings of connecticut. The groton monument, sometimes called the fort griswold monument, is a granite monument in groton, connecticut. The 239th anniversary of americas momentous 1781 revolutionary war victory at yorktown will be celebrated saturday and sunday, october 17 and 18, at the american revolution museum at yorktown with handson experiences, artillery firings and military programs. The battle of groton heights by william wallace harris. Enhanced with 23 photographs on glossy paper, 2 drawings, and a complete list of the killed, wounded, and prisoners from the battle. Griswold groton, ct and patriotmilitia defenses after taking new london. The battle was fierce and bloody, and part of a chain of events that ultimately resulted in the george washingtons victory at yorktown. Featuring living history camps, live period music, and educational demonstrations on the original fields in middletown, virginia where the original battle was fought on october 19, 1864. History comes alive at open house at fort griswold in groton. Reenactment of the battle of groton heights on september 6. Benedict arnold describes the battle of groton heights.
The day ceremony commemorates battle of groton heights. New englands largest revolutionary war reenactment duration. Yorktown victory weekend, yorktown victory celebration. Fort griswold battlefield state park friends of fort griswold. History became alive as visitors were treated to historic interpreters, military demonstrations, tour of brocks monument, musical entertainment, period merchants and craftspeople and the reenactment of the battle with a ceremony commemorating those who fought and fell during the war of 1812. The battle of groton heights was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6, 1781 between a small connecticut militia force led by. Each year on the weekend nearest the anniversary of the battle, march 15, 1781, the reenactment attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers to see a live recreation of the original battle. Each year in midapril, thousands of people flock to historic lexington and concord and minute man national historical park to celebrate patriots day. We were to the left of the statue, about the third row of people from the ropes and could see the green in between other peoples heads. Fort griswold and the battle of groton heights 1781. Fort griswold battlefield state park encompasses the historic fort griswold, which was the center of the battle of groton heights on september 6, 1781. Local residents killed and wounded during the american revolutions battle of groton heights are honored with a large granite obelisk near the site of fort griswold. October, 2012 marked the 200th anniversary of the historic battle of queenston heights. The fighting at the battle of ridgefield and supporting actions saw the americans lose 20 killed and 40 to 80 wounded, while tryons command reported casualties of 26 killed, 117 wounded, and 29 missing.
Experience military life at the annual reenactment of the battle of cedar creek. Defenders of fort griswold sept 6th 1781 historical. Reenactment of the battle of groton heights on september 6, 2015. As the name of the slain defender is read by a descendant, a candle is extinguished.
Fort griswold can climb the tower and reenactments of the battle are. The monument and museum fort griswold battlefield state park. They will place 88 luminaries on the fort grounds, each representing a casualty from the battle of groton heights. Overlooking the beautiful harbor of new london stands a towering granite monument near fort griswold, in memory of the men who took part in the battle.
Groton battle monument commemorates the battle of groton heights. The candlelight ceremony will be held inside the fort at 6. Reenactment of the battle of groton heights on september 6, 2015 photos from the reenactment at the ebenezer avery house on the 234th anniversary of the battle of groton heights. This historical marker is attached to the gated entrance at the north end to fort griswold, now part of fort griswold battlefield state park, which was the center of the battle of groton heights on september 6, 1781. The battle of groton heights on september 6, 1781, the british landed 800 men on the groton side of the thames river, about 1. The day commemoration of the battle of groton heights. This is an exact reproduction of a book published before 1923. In the midst of the revolutionary war, 1781, the fort was in good condition and the magazine was full, but trouble was not far away. Fort griswold battlefield state park friends of fort. Free event the friends of fort griswold are honoring the men who died there in 1781. John keeney, front, of groton, and fellow members of the connecticut society of the sons of the american revolution depart the battlefield at fort griswold battlefield state park in groton, after.
Today, the revolutionary germantown festival is a unique celebration in the city that gave the world the declaration of independence, keeping the tradition alive, attracting over 5,000 visitors each year with a day of family entertainment and reenactments of the battle of germantown. Free event the friends of fort griswold will hold a ceremony commemorating the 1781 battle of groton heights on sunday, september 1, 2019 at fort griswold in groton, ct. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6, 1781, between a small connecticut militia force led by lieutenant colonel william ledyard and the more numerous british forces led by brigadier general benedict arnold and lieutenant colonel edmund eyre. There are reenactment groups, skirmishes and encampments planned for the event. Though the raid on danbury achieved its objectives, the resistance faced during the return to the coast caused concern. Sep 06, 20 the british troops set to destroying military and naval supplies and accidentally caused a fire that soon spread, burning much of the town. Subvets groton commenorations of veterans day, november 11. View the reenactment schedule of the events leading up to the battle of lexington.
The battle of queenston heights was the first major battle of the war of 1812, situated just a few miles north of niagara falls. The battle of fort slongo also spelled salonga was fought on october 3, 1781 between american continental army forces, under the command of benjamin tallmadge, and the british defenders of fort salonga, in the american revolutionary war. Neighbor news celebrate easton revolutionary war reenactment weekend. What you see today is the red brick shot furnace and the powder magazine, both built in 1843. The friends of fort griswold will hold a ceremony commemorating the 1781 battle of groton heights on sunday, september 4, 2016 at fort griswold in groton ct. The combined forces were commanded by general benedict arnold, who was from norwich, connecticut. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6, 1781 between a small connecticut militia force led by lieutenant colonel william ledyard and the more numerous british forces led by brigadier general benedict arnold and lieutenant colonel edmund eyre.
Reenactment on the 234th anniversary of the battle. The battle of groton heights mystery westerly life. The battle of groton heights 1781 was a critically important year during the revolutionary war. War of 1812 battle of queenston heights historic reenactment. Jan 17, 2007 british and american loyalists attack ft. Sep 03, 2017 the friends of fort griswold are honoring the men who died there in 1781. A collection of narratives, official reports, records, etc. Later, the river battery was again modified to mount heavy 8. The battle of green spring, while it is a little known footnote in the history of the revolutionary war, was the largest open field battle of that war in the state of virginia.
As a result, future raiding operations in connecticut were limited to the coast including an attack by tryon in 1779 and one by arnold after his betrayal that resulted in the 1781 battle of groton heights. A soldier is slain on the battlefield at fort griswold state park. Fort griswold, site of the revolutionary battle of groton heights, 1781 connecticut state department of environmental protection east of the thames river, on groton heights, fort griswold stands commanding the new london harbor and the surrounding countryside. The site of a 1781 british massacre, led by benedict arnold, of colonial militia. In 1971, the house was moved to fort griswold battlefield. The oldest american civil war reenactment still held on the original site.
East of the thames river, on groton heights, fort griswold stands commanding the new london harbor and the surrounding countryside. Two of these 32 pounders are located by the memorial gates. The battle was fierce and bloody, and part of a chain of events that ultimately. The fort was rebuilt and manned in several other conflicts, but the battle of groton heights was its most prominent use. Commenoration of the battle of groton heights, sunday of labor day weekend.
The battle of groton heights mystery january 23, 2020 by gregory pettys leave a comment fort griswold battlefield state park in groton, connecticut is the historic site where, on september 6, 1781, british forces, commanded by the infamous benedict arnold, captured the fort and massacred 88 of the 165 defenders stationed there. The groton monument was built between 1826 and 1830, and is the oldest monument of its type in the country. The battle of groton heights is largely overlooked and forgotten today but was nevertheless an important battle, representing the final significant combat in the northern theater of the revolutionary war. Battle of new market reenactment, new market, virginia. The construction date is unknown, but it is believed to be from the 1760s and was the house of ebenezer avery. It is well worth a visit if the opportunity presents itself. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6, 1781, between a small connecticut militia force led by lieutenant colonel william ledyard and the more numerous british forces led by brigadier general benedict arnold and lieutenant colonel edmund. Fort griswold battlefield, monument house museum, 57 fort street, groton, ct, 06340. Photos from the reenactment at the ebenezer avery house on the 234th anniversary of the battle of groton heights. A detailed account of the battle and the fort today. Upcoming events fort griswold battlefield state park.
A hessian describes his role in the battle of fort griswold. Kevin titus, portraying brigadier general benedict arnold, falls as he pretends to be wounded during a reenactment of the battle of groton heights in front of the ebenezer avery house at fort. September 2017 on sunday, september 3rd, we will be participating in two events commemorating the 23. The site of the largest revolutionary war battle fought in connecticut. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was fought between a small. It is dedicated to the defenders who fell during the battle of groton heights on september 6, 1781. Battle of groton heights american revolutionary war.
On september 6 of that year, the british forces, commanded by benedict arnold, attacked new london and burned the city. The horn blast you hear is coming up from the thames river, which separates groton from new london. The fort was located near the border of presentday huntington township and smithtown, new york, overlooking long island sound. Listen, and you shall hear the tale of the battle of fort griswold, fought on groton heights near the close of the revolutionary war, september 6, 1781. Apr 20, 2020 battle of lexington patriots day reenactment my daughter and i were finally going to have a view of the battle this year. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the. Public passions were stirred by reports of a massacre at fort griswold and its particulars remain a topic of debate to this day. Aug 14, 2017 the battle of groton heights is largely overlooked and forgotten today but was nevertheless an important battle, representing the final significant combat in the northern theater of the revolutionary war. Those who died in the battle of groton heights remembered sunday members of the nutmeg volunteer fife and drum corps line up before the battle of groton heights commemoration ceremony at fort. The battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6. Jul 12, 2016 the battle of green spring, while it is a little known footnote in the history of the revolutionary war, was the largest open field battle of that war in the state of virginia. Jan 22, 2016 battle of groton heights the battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war. Lightning destroyed the capstone in 1918 and damaged the adjacent monument house museum which features exhibits about the revolutionary war.
In addition, tryons actions led to an increase in support for the patriot cause in connecticut including an upswing in enlistments. In the 1840s, the forts lower battery was rebuilt for 20 guns, initially 32pounder and 24pounder cannons. Built of granite quarried locally, the monument stands 5 feet tall with 166 steps. Battle of groton heights painting by david wagner groton city hall at about the same time as arnold and his men landed on the new london side of the thames river a detachment of 800 men that included two regiments of british regulars, a battalion of new jersey loyalists and a detachment of yagers and artillery. Fort griswold continued as an active military site long after the battle of groton heights. Members of the nutmeg volunteer fife and drum corps line up before the battle of groton heights commemoration ceremony at fort griswold state park in groton on sunday, sept. The friends of fort griswold will hold a ceremony commemorating the 1781 battle of groton heights on sunday, september 1, 2019 at fort griswold in groton, ct. The day the battle of groton heights reenacted sunday. Members of the connecticut sons of the american revolution participate in the 18th annual battle of groton heights commemoration ceremony at fort griswold battlefield state park in groton.
The monument was originally 127 feet 39 m high, but it was changed in 1881 to commemorate the centennial of the battle of groton heights. With french troops now committed to assisting the american war effort, british victory was l 1781 was a critically important year during the revolutionary war. The battle of groton heights and the burning of new london fort griswold battlefield state park is a stop on the thames river heritage park water taxi route. The battle of groton heights fort griswold battlefield. Battle, american revolution, connecticut, benedict arnold,war,groton, new london, america,battle of groton heights, burning of new london. The groton monument bears a plaque describing the events of the battle of groton heights, and another plaque with the names of the americans who died in the battle. The british troops set to destroying military and naval supplies and accidentally caused a fire that soon spread, burning much of the town. Or even become a member of a reenactment group which participates in the event. Submitted on june 2, 2009, by bill coughlin of north arlington, new jersey. Groton on a clear day, visitors to fort griswold battlefield state. The battle of groton heights by burnham 1903 revolutionary. Preliminary plans provide a framework for 1812 military reenactors for the october 12, 2012 event. Fort griswold battlefield state park groton, ct, usa.
It was the home where the british brought their injured soldiers after the battle of groton heights on september 6, 1781. September 6, 1781 is the date of the battle of groton heights, when the local militia at fort griswold was. This event took place on sunday, 9510 in groton ct at fort griswold, at sunset. The city of groton is a place rich in history where families enjoy seaside recreatin in a small new england town.
American revolutionary war reenactors, portraying british loyalist soldiers, begin to march in a reenactment of the battle of groton heights in front of the ebenezer avery house at fort griswold. This started back in 1997 when we were invited to participate in the annual heritage weekend battle of groton heights encampment reenactment at fort griswold battlefield state park by the second connecticut regiment of the continental line and the friends of fort griswold. The groton battle monument, dedicated in 1830, honors the more than 80 men killed defending the fort during a british raid on september. The 234th anniversary of the battle of groton heights. It also represents the only battle where benedict arnold faced his fellow americans. Meanwhile, across the river in groton, militia forces commanded by colonel william ledyard had manned fort griswold, a substantial fortification atop groton heights, a hill overlooking the thames river. Defenders of fort griswold sept 6th 1781 groton, ct. The battle of groton heights was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought on september 6, 1781 between a small continental army force led by william ledyard and the more numerous british forces led by benedict arnold and lieutenant colonel edmund eyre. A story of the storming of fort griswold and the burning of new london on the sixth of september, 1781 9781428662216. Battle of groton heights the battle of groton heights also known as the battle of fort griswold, and occasionally called the fort griswold massacre was a battle of the american revolutionary war. The water taxi offers an exciting, affordable, and fun trip across the thames river between new london and groton on fridays, saturdays, and sundays during the summer, with special sunset. Celebrate easton revolutionary war reenactment weekend. It was used during the war of 1812 by sailors commanded by commodore stephen decatur when decaturs threeship squadron was blockaded by a larger british force in 1814.
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