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Thrilling Incidents In American History

• Title
• Preface

Revolutionary War
• Opening Of The Revolution
• The Boston Massacre
• Affair of the Sloop Liberty
• Affair of the Gaspee
• The Tea Riot
• The Boston Port Bill
• The First Continental Congress-Consequent Parliamentary proceedings
• Organization of the Minute-Men
• Patrick Henry-Second Provincial Congress-First Military Enterprise
• Battles of Lexington and Concord
• Battle of Bunker's Hill
• Capture of Ticonderoga
• Second Continental Congress-Washington's Appointment
• Siege of Boston
• Incidents at the Evacuation of Boston
• Burning of Falmouth
• Arnold's Expedition to Quebec
• Siege of Quebec, and Death of Montgomery
• Scenes at Quebec during the Siege
• Expedition against Charleston
• The Declaration of Independence
• The Battle of Long Island
• Washington's Retreat through New Jersey-Capture of General Lee
• Battle of Trenton
• Battle of Princeton
• Capture of General Prescott
• Battle of Brandywine
• Battle of Germantown
• Battle of Red-Bank
• Attack on Fort Mifflin-Retirement of the Army to Valley Forge
• Battle of Bennington
• Murder of Miss M'Crea
• Battle of Stillwater
• Battle of Bemis' Heights, and Retreat of Burgoyne
• Capture of Forts Clinton and Montgomery
• Surrender of Burgoyne
• The Treaty with France
• Attack on Savannah, and Death of Pulaski
• Storming of Stony Point
• General Sullivan's Campaign against the Mohawks
• Tarleton's Quarters
• Battle of Camden, and Death of De Kalb
• Arnold's Treason
• The Loss of the Randolph
• The British Prison-Ships
• Capture of the Serapis
• Putnam's Feat at Horseneck
• Battle of Eutaw Springs
• Wayne's Charge at Green Spring
• Capture of the General Monk
• The Mutinies
• Battle of the Cowpens
• Capture of New London
• Massacre of Wyoming
• Surrender of Cornwallis

War With France
• Capture of L'Insurgente
• The Constellation and Vengeance

War With Tripoli
• Burning of the Philadelphia
• Bombardment of Tripoli
• Loss of the Intrepid
• Expedition of General Eaton

Second War With England
• Battle of Tippecanoe
• Capture of the Guerriere
• Tragical Affair of an Indian Chief
• Battle and Massacre at the River Raisin
• Captain Holmes's Expedition
• Capture of the Caledonia and Detroit
• The Wasp and Frolic
• Gallant Conduct of Lieutenant Allen at the Capture of the Macedonian
• Capture and Destruction of the Java
• Siege of Fort Meigs
• Capture of York, and Death of General Pike
• Defence of Sackett's Harbour
• Defence of Fort Stephenson
• Battle of Lake Erie
• Battle of the Thames
• Gallant Action of Commodore Chauncey under the guns of Kingston Citadel
• The Sacking of Hampton
• Capture of the Peacock
• Massacre at Fort Mimms
• Surrender of Weatherford
• Battle of Niagara
• BattIe of New Orleans

War With Mexico
• Battle of Palo Alto
• Battle of Resaca de la Palma
• Capture of Monterey
• Battle in the Streets of Monterey
• Thrilling Scenes in the Battle of Buena Vista
• Bombardment of Vera Cruz
• Battle of Cerro Gordo
• Battles of Contreras and Churubusco
• Storming of Chapultepec




CAPTURE OF NEW LONDON.

IMMEDIATELY after General Arnold had returned from his infamous expedition into Virginia, he was despatched by Sir Henry Clinton on an expedition against New London, Connecticut. After taking undisputed possession of Fort Trumbull, he advanced against Fort Griswold, and summoned the garrison to surrender. Colonel Ledyard, the commandant, replied that he would defend the place to the last. He had with him but one hundred and sixty men, and the works were but moderately strong.

The British moved to the attack in three columns, and were received by a steady fire from the garrison. As they neared the fort, the quick wide gaps in their ranks showed that death was stalking with rapid strides among them; but, hurried on by the daring Arnold, they bared their bosoms to the sweeping fire, and at length gained the works. Then a momentary struggle ensued, and the silence told that our troops had surrendered. Leaping over a parapet, a British officer asked who commanded. Colonel Ledyard appeared, and presented his sword. It was taken, and with savage malignity plunged into the patriot's breast. Then commenced a scene fit only for British warfare in America. Imitating the infamous example of their leader, the troops rushed among the unarmed garrison, hacking and bayoneting all that came in their way, and flinging all honour or humanity to the wind. Again the savage war-cry went up, while, mingling with it in sickening accents, was the wail of innocence, the unavailing prayer for mercy. Still the awful work went on; son and brother and bosom companion were butchered together, until piles of corpses were packed along the walls, and the ground ran deep with human gore. But forty remained uninjured.

In the assault the enemy lost forty-three killed, and one hundred and forty-five wounded. Colonel Ayre, the commandant, was killed, and Colonel Montgomery wounded.

After this proceeding, Arnold resumed his march toward New London. After plundering it of everything which his troops could carry, he set the town on fire, and retired to a neighbouring hill to watch the conflagration. Here, amid scenes which should have melted his heart-amid the rocks, and streams, and woods of his childhood - he stood like a demon, glutting his appetite for destruction. Gradually house after house sunk among the smouldering flames, and the fortunes of their owners were ruined. Besides the buildings, an immense amount of moveable property was included in the conflagration. The surrounding country was then ravaged; and, after doing as much mischief as possible, Arnold returned to New York.