As Westport prepares to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Compo Hill — well, at least Sunday’s Minute Man road race gives a nod to our heroic effort during the Revolutionary War — let’s remember a time when our town remembered (and honored) that historic event.
The other day, Morley Boyd sent along photos of a commemorative coin. He believes it was struck in 1935, to honor the centennial of Westport’s incorporation as a town.
One side shows the Minute Man monument, with the date “Apr. 25, 1777.”
That’s the day 26 ships carrying 1,850 British troops under the direction of General William Tryon — a force larger than at Lexington or Concord — landed at Compo Beach at dusk.
Tory loyalists planned to guide them up Compo Road to Cross Highway, across to Redding Road, then north through Redding and Bethel to Danbury, where they would burn a major supply depot. It contained much-needed tents, clothing, bedding — things necessary for a long military campaign.
Patriots fired a few shots at the corner of the Post Road and Compo, but the British marched on. In Danbury they destroyed the Continental Army’s munitions, then headed back toward their waiting ships at Compo.
Hastily assembled patriot forces fought them in the fierce Battle of Ridgefield. Led by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold — not yet a traitor — and outnumbered 3 to 1, the patriots deployed a strategy of selective engagement.
British forces landed at Compo Beach, marched to Danbury, returned south and — after the Battle of Compo Hill — retreated to Long Island.
The next day — April 28, 1777 — patriots tried to capture the Redcoats at a bridge across the Saugatuck River. That forced the soldiers to march 2 miles north, and swim across.
Meanwhile, marksmen waited on Compo Hill (the current site of Minuteman Hill road).
Twenty colonials were killed, and between 40 and 80 wounded when the British made a shoulder to shoulder charge with fixed bayonets — but, wearing everyday work clothes and using hunting guns or pistols, they gave them a fight.
It was reported that resistance here was more severe than at Lexington and Concord.
Graves of some of the patriots who fell that day lie along Compo Beach Road, just past the Minuteman statue. British soldiers are buried across Gray’s Creek, by the Longshore golf course.
Though Tryon returned to burn Norwalk and Fairfield, never again during the American Revolution did British troops venture inland in Connecticut.
The other side of the coin shows a stylized view of the Saugatuck bridge, and nearby homes.
The scene was similar to that of Westport’s original town seal.
Morley says, “I don’t think I have ever seen one of these centennial coins.”
And if one of Westport’s leading amateur historians is surprised, that’s impressive.
Do any “06880” readers know anything about that commemorative coin? If so — or if you just want to commemorate the Battle of Compo Hill — click “Comments” below.
PS: Next year is the 250th anniversary. We should not let that date pass without an, um, bang.
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Had that coin once. Bought it from Sam Sloat Inc. when shop was on Main Street. None on eBay today. Any number of 1935 US silver half dollar CT coins with charter oak graded for beaucoup bucks.
amazing-thanks for the history lesson
I love this reminder of our history!!!
I got put on to these coins by an RTM member (can’t recall who) who wore it on his lapel for some event or another. I managed to snag one off eBay a while back now, last year I think. I’ll have to take it out tomorrow and show it off when I’m around town to mark the occasion!
A lapel pin! I like it!
A few points of correction:
The initial British plan had been to secure the supplies at Danbury for their own use. A lack of sufficient wagons, perhaps more importantly, time, forced them to burn most of it. By the time the British had reached Danbury, Patriot forces were on the move. In addition to militia forces, regular Continental forces were converging on the area.
After the Patriots took up their blocking position on Old Hill, the British crossed at the high water ford further up stream, they did not “swim”. The British had informed of this other crossing by Loyalists with local knowledge. They had a small contingent stage a deception while the bulk of their forces crossed and secured the other side of the bridge.
While the image of farmers armed with little more than gumption is evocative, it is not accurate. By the time of the skirmishes at the bridge and Compo Hill, regular Continental forces were on the scene.
From an account of the time, it would appear that the American side moved at least one field cannon to a location within range of the British position on Compo Hill. So in addition to being physically exhausted, out of ammunition and surrounded by fresh American militia forces, they were under cannon fire as well.
This commemorative medal was part of the 1635 – 1935 Connecticut State Tercentenary 12 medal set. The other towns in the set include; Ansonia, Bristol, Canaan / North Canaan, Derby, East Haven, Fairfield, Saybrook, Southington, Torrington, West Haven, and Winsted. These were struck in bronze, with some having a silver overlay, as the one depicted. The designer of this medal is unknown, and the series was issued by the Whitehead and Hoag Co., best known as manufacturers of political campaign pins and badges. It is approximately 1.25″ in diameter.
It’s worth remembering that the revolution was sparked by taxes of just 1–2%. They were willing to fight and die over the principle of “no taxation without representation.”
I have one that I bought from Sam Sloat over 50 years ago. Great reminder of Westport’s history!