Frost, David
John M. McDonald interview — {}
David Frost recounts several incidents and locations relating to the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut, which took place on April 27, 1777. Among the events he mentions are the mortal wounding of American General David Wooster and the escape of American General Benedict Arnold from capture.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 476 -
Sept. 2 David [Frost]: General Wooster sitting in a [slanting] position on his horse turning to his soldiers was shot in the back. x x x
A man named Starr pursued by horseman and left for dead, being cut about the head and
<left margin> See origl. P. 126 <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 477 -
He fell upon his face and took the precaution to lie still. They thought him dead, but he afterwards crawled away and lived to a good old age. Joseph Platt Cook commanded the militia of Danbury. Major Starr belonged to the cavalry. There was a company of horse at Danbury. Tryon’s headquarters were at Mr. Nehemiah Dibble’s who was afterwards . His brother was with Wooster, saw him fall and told me. The British advanced upon Arnold under cover of rocks and an orchard – The British occupied ground that was lower than the Americans. – Wooster fell on a level piece of ground about two miles from Ridgefield. Arnold’s foot was entangled in the stirrup, and [Coon?] wanted the credit of taking Arnold. – see Hinman. Four men and a negro, under the influence of liquor, fired out of a house, and were killed, &c. Finding the stores could not be removed the soldiers (American) had supplied themselves with rum at discretion, and drank too much.