Burning of Fairfield (1779)

Burning of Fairfield
Part of the American Revolutionary War and Tryon's raid
DateJuly 7–8, 1779
Location
Result British tactical victory
Near total destruction of Fairfield
Belligerents
 United States  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Col. Samuel Whiting[1]
Lt. Isaac Jarvis
Maj. Gen. William Tryon
Brig. Gen. George Garth
Cmdre. George Collier
Strength
4th Regiment of Connecticut Militia 800 (Tryon's initial force)
1,700 (Garth's reinforcements)
Casualties and losses
10 Killed
2 Wounded
6 Captured
11 Killed
44 Wounded
6 MIA

The Burning of Fairfield refers to the action of the American Revolutionary War at Fairfield, Connecticut on July 7, 1779 after a British landing force under the command of General William Tryon attacked the town, engaged and dispersed its militia forces, and burned down the vast majority of its buildings.[2] Much of the action took place in areas that are now part of Bridgeport, Southport, and Westport.

  1. ^ Townshend, Charles Hervey (1879). The British Invasion of New Haven, Connecticut, Together With Some Account of Their Landing and Burning the Towns of Fairfield and Norwalk, July 1779. New Haven: Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor. p. 103.
  2. ^ "Burning of Fairfield". Fairfield Museum and History Center.