The British land on both sides of…
September 1781 CE
The people of the town can do nothing but evacuate, and several ships in the harbor escape upstream.
The eight hundred-man detachment that Arnold leads in New London meets with no resistance.
The defenders of Fort Trumbull, twenty-three men led by Captain Shapley, fire a single volley, spike the guns, and board boats to cross the river to Fort Griswold, following orders left by Colonel Ledyard.
Seven of Shapley's men are wounded, and one of the boats is captured; the detachment that Arnold sends to take Fort Trumbull sustains four or five killed or wounded, according to Arnold's account.
Arnold's troops continue into the town where they set about destroying stockpiles of goods and naval stores.
Under the orders given, parts of the town are supposed to be spared, some of which is the property of those secretly loyal to the British, but at least one of the storehouses contains a large quantity of gunpowder, which Arnold evidently had not known.
When it ignites, the resulting explosion sets fire to the surrounding buildings.
The fire is soon uncontrollable and one hundred and forty-three buildings are consumed by flames.
Several ships in the harbor are able to escape upriver when the wind changes.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Eyre's force of eight hundred men lands on the east side of the Thames River, but they are slowed by tangled woodlands and swamplands.
The New Jersey Loyalists land after the initial wave of regulars, also delayed by the difficulty in moving the artillery through rough conditions, and they do not participate in the assault.
General Arnold orders Eyre to assault the fort, believing that it will fall easily.
However, upon reaching a prominence from which he can see its defenses, Arnold realizes that the fort is more complete than anticipated and that taking it will not be easy.
One of the reasons for taking the fort is to prevent the escape of boats upriver, and many have already passed beyond the fort; Arnold, therefore, attempts to recall Eyre, but the battle is joined a few minutes before the messenger arrives.
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