Anniversary coming up. How about a re-enactment?

In 1781, on the 6th of September, 24 ships slipped into New London harbor. On board were Marine and Land forces of His Majesty's Military, A Local boy from Norwich was in command of the troops.

The troops come ashore in two divisions, each made up of 800 men. One lead by Lt.Colonel Eyre, the other Arnold (General, American, Continental Army). General Arnold ordered the surrender of Fort Trumbull, Local Patriots retreated ahead of the onslaught.  Lt Colonel Eyre landed at Avery Point, Arnold, New London. Arnold put the town to the torch destroying 65 houses, 31 stores, 18 shops, 20 barns, and nine Public buildings including the court house, the jail, and a church,for a total of 143 structures. Damage to New London was estimated at $485,980. Arnold wanted to destroy all the ships in the harbor before they could flee up river to Norwich which he considered a den of Serpents with about 2000 militia and Continental soldiers.

Included in the invasion forces were two regiments of British regulars, a battalion of New Jersey Loyalists, and a detachment of Yagers and Artillery.

Lt. Col. Eyre's mission was to take Groton Heights, train his guns on the harbor to destroy any fleeing ships and lend support to Arnold's New London mission. He was also to hold the heights from any attacks forming from troops in Stonington and Rhode Island. Eyre's troops met little resistance since most locals had already answered Col. William Ledyard's (Commanding Fort Griswold) to report to the fort. Eyre's men got bogged down in a swamp and the thick forest on the way to the Heights. Across the Thames River Benedict Arnold had arrived on the heights in New London and noticed that the Groton Fort was more heavily defended than Intelligence had reported. He immediately sent off an Officer to intercept Eyre and instruct him not to attack the fort for fear of loses. Alas the River crossing and time it took to intercept was too long and Eyre's troops had already cleared the tree line at the Fort and sent a surrender demand to the Fort. This demand was flatly refused by the Colonials.

The Fort as described by a British officer:

"The fort was an oblong square, with bastions at opposite angles, it's longest side fronting the river in a north -west and southeast direction. Its walls were of stone, and were ten or twelve feet high on the lower side, and surrounded by a ditch. One the wall were pickets. projecting over twelve feet; above this was a parapet with embrasures, and within a platform for cannon, and a step to mount upon, to shoot over the parapet with small arms.In the South-west bastion was a flag-staff, and in the side near the opposite angle, was the gate. in front of which was a triangular breast-work to protect the gate; and to the right was a redoubt, with a three-pounder in it, which was about 120 yards from the gate. Between the fort and the river was another battery, with a covered way, but which could not be used in this attack, as the enemy appeared in a different quarter." 

Colonel Ledyard counted about 150 militia and mixed company, plus those who escaped Fort Trumbull, including Captain Shapley and Sergent Hempsted.

Eyre's request for surrender was made with the understanding that if the Colonials did not surrender, martial law would be enforced and No Quarter given. The reply was "We will not surrender the fort, let the consequences be what they was given."

For fort plans, and an accurate account of the battle, visit:
http://www.battleofgrotonheights.com/Battle_of_Groton_Heights.html

It's your country, it's your history. men died to make it so. I'm sure you can go to the trouble of clicking a link and read the story.

 They often hold re-enactments of the Battle of Groton Heights, may even do so this year, I am not sure. 

They never have a re-enactment of Benedict Arnold Burning New London, and if a town could ever use a good burning it's New London. Raze it, start over.  (That's just my opinion)