Gilbert, Abram
John M. McDonald interview — 1846
Abram Gilbert describes the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut, which took place on April 27, 1777. Gilbert describes the mortal wounding of American General David Wooster and the death of Colonel Abraham Gould, and notes that Benedict Arnold was the last man to retreat at the end of the battle.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 472 -
Abram Gilbert, Esqre.: “W[ooster], I have always heard was on horseback when killed sitting under the shade of a large chestnut tree. (?) He was first taken to a neighboring house, and then to Danbury. It was in the afternoon when the British attacked Arnold at R[idgefield]. The barricade (carts, waggons, earth, &c) extended from Stebbins house to a high ledge of rocks where my house now stands. The top of the house has since been blown away and made into a stone wall, &c. (?) Beyond and north of the rocks was an old orchard, under cover of which the British advanced and out flanked Arnold whose horse was shot about eight or ten rods from my house – that is, where the rocks were. He walked calmly off afterwards. Colonel Gould was killed about sixty rods east of Stebbins’ house on a gentle
<left margin> origl. p. 124 <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 473 -
height beyond and close to a ledge of rocks. Mr. Edwards was wounded when about 20 rods east of the Stebbins’s house. There was no house then where mine now is. The British completely outflanked and encircled Arnold’s left wing, crowded them closely together and compelled them to retreat in confusion. Arnold was the last man to go.