Ridgefield in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Battle of Ridgefield
April 27, 1777
The chief engagement of Connecticut’s only inland battle during the War for Independence was fought approximately 100 yards from this site. Several hundred hastily-mustered militia joined a handful of Continental troops under Generals Benedict Arnold and Gold Stilliman to face British regulars more than thrice their number led by Major General William Tryon.
Only an hour before, American General David Wooster fell mortally wounded during his second attack on the British rearguard as it retreated toward Ridgefield after burning patriot supplies at Danbury. Although Tryon’s redcoats carried the day in Ridgefield, the resulting “Hornet’s Nest” of patriot farmer-soldiers ensured Crown troops never returned, and may have contributed to British General John Burgoyne’s isolation and surprising defeat at Saratoga six months later.
Major General David Wooster, Lt. Col. Abraham Gould, Lt. Hezekiah Davenport, Lt. Nathan Gray, Lt. Ephraim Middlebrook, Lt. William Thompson, Joshua Bartlett, Bradley Dean, Silas Haines, Samuel Seeley, David Selleck, Abraham Smith, David Stevens
Dedicated on the 225th Anniversary of the battle by:
The Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America
Edward Franklin Romig, II Governor
225th Anniversary Committee
Keith Marshall Jones Chairman
Rudolph Marconi, First Selectman
Erected 2002 by Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 41° 17.033′ N, 73° 29.934′ W. Marker is in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker is on Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Ballard Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ridgefield CT 06877, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ridgefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith Tavern – A Colonial Meeting Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street in the Late 1800s (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Elms Inn and Stebbins Homestead (about 400 feet away); The Village in the 1900s (about 500 feet away); The Ridgefield Train Station (about 700 feet away); The Gilbert House (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ridgefield.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Ridgefield. Wikipedia entry:
The Battle of Ridgefield was the only inland battle fought in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Battle of Ridgefield. Keeler Tavern Museum website homepage (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,681 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.