Burning of Fairfield (1779)

The Burning of Fairfield (also known as the Battle of Fairfield) refers to the action of the American Revolutionary War at Fairfield, Connecticut on July 7, 1779, when a British landing force under the command of General William Tryon attacked the town, engaged and defeated its militia forces, and burned down the vast majority of buildings in Fairfield.

Background

The attack on Fairfield was part of a broader British operation known as Tryon's raid, in which 2,600 regulars launched a punitive campaign on Fairfield and New Haven counties from their base in Long Island. At the time, Fairfield and surrounding areas had developed a reputation for their strong support of the Revolution.

Attack

On the morning of July 7, the British fleet was spotted by coast guard militia forces at Fort Black Rock, and the town was alerted. Hours later, Tryon and his initial landing force of 800 infantry made their way ashore and trekked inland. Despite a short but spirited resistance from the local militia, the British shortly took the town and began laying waste to it. After the initial attack on the town, Tryon's forces were reinforced by 1,700 men commanded by General George Garth.

Commemoration

For many years after the Burning, citizens of Fairfield, with the help of the Historical Society, stage re-creations and guided tours centering on the movements of the British on that day and the (few) properties which survived their incursion.