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    Friday, April 19, 2024

    Revolution reignites at Groton battlefield

    Nicholas Wisdom, 17, of Carmel, N.Y., and a member of the 4th New York Regiment reenactment group, portrays a wounded American rebel soldier and watches more British soldiers enter the fort Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, during the Patriots & Redcoats event at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. The event, which continues Sunday, was for the 240th commemoration of the Battle of Groton Heights on Sept. 6, 1781. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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    Groton — Redcoats and rebels clashed once again Saturday at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, to the sounds of musket- and cannonfire.

    Only, these were reenactors at a commemoration of the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights, when British soldiers, under the command of notorious turncoat Benedict Arnold, defeated a group of American patriots to take the hilltop fortifications on Sept. 6, 1781. The fort was defended by 165 Americans — 88 of whom died because of the battle, including their commander, Col. William Ledyard — against 800 British troops.

    The event continues Sunday with a focus on the aftermath of the battle, including demonstrations of prisoner handling and an overview of 18th century medicine with demonstrations of surgical procedures used on battle casualties.

    For a full list of activities, visit bit.ly/ftgriswold21.

    Members of the 4th New York Regiment, portraying American rebel soldiers, fire a cannon at the approaching British soldiers during the Patriots & Redcoats event Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. The event was for the 240th commemoration of the Battle of Groton Heights. The event continues Sunday. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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    Reenactors portraying British soldiers fire on the American forces in a skirmish during the Patriots & Redcoats event Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. The event continues Sunday. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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    Khalid Antar of Malden, Mass., of His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot, portrays a British light infantryman as he and his fellow British soldiers escort the American soldiers and militia out of the fort after their skirmish during the Patriots & Redcoats event Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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    Kyle Timmons, left, of Phoenixville, Pa., of the HM 17th Regiment, and James Mullan, right, of Plainville, of the 9th Regiment of Foot, portraying British soldiers, carry Joseph Wisdom of Carmel, N.Y., of the 4th New York Regiment, portraying an injured American rebel soldier, out of the fort after their skirmish during the Patriots & Redcoats event Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. The event continues Sunday. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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