British raid on New London, Connecticut

E55142

The British raid on New London, Connecticut was a devastating 1781 Revolutionary War attack in which British forces under American turncoat Benedict Arnold burned much of the town and captured nearby Fort Griswold.


Statements (40)
Predicate Object
instanceOf battle of the American Revolutionary War
military raid
action British forces burned much of New London
British forces captured Fort Griswold
alsoKnownAs Battle of Groton Heights
belligerent Great Britain
United States
cause British attempt to divert American forces from other fronts
British desire to punish Connecticut for privateering against British shipping
commander Benedict Arnold
William Ledyard
commemoratedBy monuments at Groton Heights
conflict American Revolutionary War
consequence destruction of large parts of New London
heavy American casualties at Fort Griswold
continent North America
country United States
date 1781-09-06
forceInvolved British Army
Connecticut militia
Loyalist troops
historicalPeriod late stages of the American Revolutionary War
legacy remembered as a devastating attack on New London
location New London, Connecticut NERFINISHED
method amphibious assault
near Groton, Connecticut
notableCommanderRole Benedict Arnold led the British forces as an American turncoat
notableEvent killing of surrendering American defenders at Fort Griswold is alleged in some accounts
objective destroy military stores in New London
disrupt American privateering and supply lines
opponentCommander Benedict Arnold
William Ledyard was the American commander at Fort Griswold
partOf American Revolutionary War
relatedPlace Fort Trumbull
result British victory
state Connecticut
target Fort Griswold
New London harbor
theater Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War
year 1781

Referenced by (5)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Battle of Groton Heights ("Massacre of American defenders after the surrender of Fort Griswold")
New London, Connecticut ("Burning of New London")
notableEvent
Battle of Groton Heights ("British raid on New London and Groton")
cause
Benedict Arnold
commanded
Battle of Groton Heights ("Destruction of New London, Connecticut")
objective

Please wait…