Battle of Norwalk
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Norwalk (also Battle of West Rocks or Battle of the Rocks) was a series of skirmishes between American and British
forces during the American Revolutionary War
. The main battle was fought in Norwalk, Connecticut
on July 12, 1779. British forces under General William Tryon
arrived on July 10, 1779. They marched in a two pronged attack on either side of the Norwalk River
. They followed a path along what is today East and West Avenues burning everything along the way. Only six houses were spared.
The two columns converged at the Mill Hill area by the town green (41.1174°N 73.4095°W) and proceeded north to the area then known as "the Rocks" where they met heavy resistance from the Norwalk militia and Continental troops.
General Tryon had commanded a series of raids
on the Connecticut coast in the preceding days, attacking New Haven
and Fairfield
. Most of Fairfield and Norwalk were destroyed. Tryon's raids were intended to draw American forces away from the defence of the Hudson Valley
. In spite of pressure from Governor Trumbull
, George Washington
did not move his troops.
Out of all towns the British attacked, Norwalk was the most heavily damaged in the state, historians believe. General George Washington described Norwalk as having been “destroyed” in his report to the Continental Congress after the battle.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
forces during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. The main battle was fought in Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
on July 12, 1779. British forces under General William Tryon
William Tryon
William Tryon was a British soldier and colonial administrator who served as governor of the Province of North Carolina and the Province of New York .-Early life and career:...
arrived on July 10, 1779. They marched in a two pronged attack on either side of the Norwalk River
Norwalk River
The Norwalk River is a river in southwestern Connecticut, approximately long. The word "Norwalk" comes from the Algonquian word "noyank" meaning "point of land".-Description:...
. They followed a path along what is today East and West Avenues burning everything along the way. Only six houses were spared.
The two columns converged at the Mill Hill area by the town green (41.1174°N 73.4095°W) and proceeded north to the area then known as "the Rocks" where they met heavy resistance from the Norwalk militia and Continental troops.
General Tryon had commanded a series of raids
Tryon's raid
In July 1779, British Major General William Tryon and 2,600 men embarked onto a Royal Navy fleet led by Admiral George Collier, and raided the Connecticut ports of New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk. Military and public stores, supply houses, and ships were destroyed, as were private homes,...
on the Connecticut coast in the preceding days, attacking New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
and Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. Most of Fairfield and Norwalk were destroyed. Tryon's raids were intended to draw American forces away from the defence of the Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
. In spite of pressure from Governor Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. was one of the few Americans who served as governor in both a pre-Revolutionary colony and a post-Revolutionary state...
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
did not move his troops.
Out of all towns the British attacked, Norwalk was the most heavily damaged in the state, historians believe. General George Washington described Norwalk as having been “destroyed” in his report to the Continental Congress after the battle.