On Saturday Decemebr 4th, American Patriots of Connecticut's 5th Regiment faced the British army in a "battle" at Israel Putnam Memorial State Park in Redding, known as Connecticut's Valley Forge. The walk returned this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID.

Battle lines were drawn, musket volleys rang out again and again, artillery fire came from Howitzers on both sides and spectators saw both American and British troops lying on the cold ground, mortally injured. Snipers hid in the woods. The battle ended with a "parley", a discussion between both commanders to negotiate the terms of the battle's conclusion which resulted in the Patriots holding their ground. 

Nearly two hundred adults, teens and younger children were in attendance, one of the larger crowds in recent years. They listened closely as Ellery Leary, who majored in both history and archaeology and was associated with Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven led the walk and provided the narrative of the park's history in the American Revolution. Members of CT's 5th Regiment read entries from the actual diaries of soldiers who were stationed in Redding 243 years ago. 

The camp was created by General Putnam after British troops landed at Compo Beach on April 25, 1777 and marched through Redding to burn General Washington's main supply depot in Danbury. On their march back to Westport through Ridgefield they encountered both Major General David Wooster and Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, then a leading Patriot general who inflicted casualties on the British. Famously, a cannonball from that battle is still lodged in the wall of the Keeler Tavern Museum.

Most encouraging was the sight of more young people than ever both in the crowd and also as reenacts as both Patriots and British soldiers. More information can be found at PutnamPark.org.

Photos copyright by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com. Reproduction strictly prohibited without permission.   

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