BRITISH EXPEDITION AGAINST CONNECTICUT.
General Clinton, soon after his return to New York, proposed inflicting a severe chastisement on the Connecticut people, and tempting Washington down from the highlands to defend the sea-coast. For this purpose a detachment of land-troops under Major-general Tryon, supported by Admiral Collier, advanced on Connecticut. They first attacked Newhaven, where they destroyed the artillery, ammunition, and stores, with all the vessels in the harbour. Fairfield was next attacked, and having encountered a severe opposition by the inhabitants, when the place was captured it was reduced to ashes. The same fate awaited Norwalk and Greenfield; and Tryon then intended to make a descent at New London, the great rendezvous for the Connecticut privateers. As the militia of this state, however, were by this time joined by some regular troops detached from Washington’s army, he deemed it expedient to return towards New York to obtain reinforcements. The fleet fell back, therefore, on Long Island, to wait for an additional supply of troops and ammunition. In this expedition much spoils were captured.