Home / Macdonald, John MacLean. The Danbury Expedition, April 23d to 28th, 1777. Paper read at the New-York Historical Society, October 5, 1858. Published as The McDonald Papers, Part I, Chapter 4 in Publications of the Westchester County Historical Society, Vol. IV. 1925-26. / Passage

The McDonald Papers, Part I, Chapter 4: The Danbury Expedition

Macdonald, John MacLean. The Danbury Expedition, April 23d to 28th, 1777. Paper read at the New-York Historical Society, October 5, 1858. Published as The McDonald Papers, Part I, Chapter 4 in Publications of the Westchester County Historical Society, Vol. IV. 1925-26. 310 words

During the afternoon of the 27th there appeared upon the scene of action Colonel John Lamb of the artillery and Colonel Hugh Hughes Deputy-quarter-master-general. These were two Continental officers, who had seen service. Having heard of the invasion, they had hastened forward on horse- back from a distant part of Connecticut, to join the American forces. On their way they were overtaken by others who were bound for the same theatre with similar determinations. Al- though assisted by guides, such was the prevailing confusion,

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that these volunteers sought in vain for the American com-manders throughout the country between Ridgefield and Norwalk, during the whole afternoon and night. It was daybreak on the 28th, when they arrived at Saugatuck bridge. Arnold who had spent most of the night on horseback, in rallying men and means for a final conflict, was then at Green-field. They thereupon posted to this latter place, but before they reached it, the man of incessant movement had returned by another road and resumed his command at the bridge. Sometime in the forenoon however, Hughes obtained an interview with Arnold and volunteering his services as aide de camp, acted for a while in that capacity. Lamb at first, took command of the artillery, but in the afternoon, resigned in favor of his lieutenant. The Colonel of artillery then rode to a body of about two hundred volunteers who had recently arrived, and declaring who he was, proposed to lead them on. The volunteers put themselves at once under Lamb's com-mand. When they approached Compo-Hill, placing him- self at their head, he led them forward in advance of the two columns then forming, and gaining a position about half way up the hill near its northern extremity posted them behind a stone wall within one hundred yards of the British forces, whom they galled extremely.