Battle Description

The Battle of Ridgefield was part of the British raid on Danbury, Connecticut, aimed at destroying Continental Army supplies. On April 25, 1777, British forces under Major General William Tryon landed near present-day Westport and marched inland to Danbury, where they burned Patriot supplies. American forces, led by Generals David Wooster, Benedict Arnold, and Gold S. Silliman, mobilized to intercept the British on their return.

On April 27, Wooster attacked the British rear guard twice; he was mortally wounded in the second assault. The main engagement occurred in Ridgefield, where Arnold and several hundred militia attempted to block the British retreat. Despite fierce resistance, the Americans were outnumbered and eventually pushed back in a running battle through the town.

Outcome

• Outcome: British tactical victory; Americans failed to stop the British retreat.
• Casualties:
  • American: ~20 killed, ~80 wounded
  • British: ~154 killed or wounded, ~40 captured

Significance on the Revolution

While the British succeeded in destroying supplies and returning to their ships, the raid exposed the vulnerability of inland depots and prompted the Continental Army to relocate critical resources. The battle also had a lasting impact on morale: it stirred Patriot outrage and increased militia enlistments in Connecticut. Notably, Benedict Arnold’s leadership under fire—despite the defeat—earned him a promotion to major general and helped delay his eventual disillusionment with the American cause.