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'Remember New London!' was General Lafayettes battle cry to Connecticut troops at the siege of Yorktown. Lafayette was of course referring to Benedict Arnold's burning of the city's waterfront earlier that year, on September 6, 1781.
On Thursday, September 5, author Matt Reardon will present and sign copies of his latest book 'The Traitor's Homecoming' at the Custom House. Admission by donation.
By 1781, the war in North America had reached a stalemate. That changed during the summer when the combined Franco-American armies of Generals George Washington and Jean-Baptiste comte de Rochambeau deceived British General Sir Henry Clinton into believing they were about to lay siege to New York City. In fact, they were moving south toward Yorktown, Virginia, in a bid to trap Lord Cornwalliss British army against the sea.
Clinton fell for the deception and dispatched former American general Benedict Arnold to attack New London. Clinton hoped to destroy the privateers operating out of its harbor and derail militia reinforcements and supplies heading from Connecticut to the allied armies outside New York City.
New London was the center of the states wartime naval activities. State and Continental naval vessels operated out of its harbor, which doubled as a haven for American privateers. Arnold landed on September 6 (on a beach south of New London Harbor Light) and, in a textbook operation, defeated local militia, took possession of the town, harbor, and forts, and set New London's waterfront ablaze. But that is not how it is remembered. The Connecticut governors vicious propaganda campaign against the British and Arnold, who was already infamous for his treachery, created a narrative of partial truths and embellishments that persist to this day. As such, most of the attention remains on the bloody fighting and supposed massacre at Fort Griswold.
There is much more to the story.
'The Traitors Homecoming' uses dozens of newly discovered British and American primary sources to weave a balanced military study of an often forgotten and misunderstood campaign. Indeed, Reardon achieves a major reinterpretation of the battle while dismantling its myths. Thirteen original maps and numerous illustrations and modern photographs flesh out this provocative and groundbreaking study.
About the Author: Matthew Reardon is a native of northeastern Connecticut.
He earned his BA in history and MA in education from Sacred Heart University. His research interests mainly focus on Connecticut during the American Revolution and the Civil War. He served as executive director of the New England Civil War Museum & Research Center for more than 15 years. He currently works as a middle school teacher in Vernon, Connecticut, and serves as a command historian for the Connecticut Military Department. Matthew, his wife Melisa, and son Michael live in Enfield, Connecticut.
You can find his book in the museum's gift shop.
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New London Maritime Society - local friendly authentic
Telling the stories of New London's waterfront & preserving four historic maritime sites
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LocationCustom House Maritime Museum (View)
150 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 6 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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