Fort Griswold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Griswold BattlefieldState Park |
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Lower battery of Fort Griswold
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| Location | Groton, Connecticut, United States | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1953 | ||||||||||||||
| Administered by | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection | ||||||||||||||
| Designation | Connecticut state park | ||||||||||||||
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Fort Griswold is an old fort in Groton, Connecticut. It's named after Matthew Griswold, who was a leader in the state. This fort was super important during the American Revolutionary War. It worked with Fort Trumbull across the Thames River to protect the port of New London, Connecticut. New London was a key place for the American army to get supplies. It was also a safe spot for privateers, who were like private ships that helped fight the British. Today, Fort Griswold is a state park called Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection takes care of it.
Contents
Fort Griswold's Revolutionary War Story
Building the Fort
Work on Fort Griswold began on December 5, 1775. This was right after the American Revolutionary War started. The fort was finished in 1778 and was also known as Groton Fort. It was built on a hill, which was a great spot to fire cannons at enemy ships. These ships might try to enter the Thames River. Below the main fort, there was another battery for more guns. This lower battery was built during the war and improved later.
The Battle of Groton Heights
In September 1781, British forces attacked Fort Griswold. Their leader was Benedict Arnold, who had once been an American general but then joined the British. The British knew the fort's layout very well. Arnold sailed his ships in a way that the fort's cannons couldn't hit them.
Arnold's forces split up. Some went to burn New London, while others attacked Fort Griswold. This attack is known as the Battle of Groton Heights. The British soldiers eventually took over the fort. The American commander, Lieutenant-Colonel William Ledyard, surrendered. Sadly, he was killed shortly after giving up his sword. Arnold and his troops left the fort soon after. American forces eventually took it back.
Later Uses of the Fort
Fort Griswold was used again in other wars, but the Battle of Groton Heights was its most famous moment. During the War of 1812, American sailors used the fort. They were led by Commodore Stephen Decatur. His three ships were trapped by a larger British navy force in 1814.
In the 1840s, the fort's lower battery was rebuilt. It was designed to hold 20 cannons, including powerful 32-pounder and 24-pounder guns. After the American Civil War, the lower battery was changed again. It was set up for large 10-inch Rodman guns. For most of its time with the Army, Fort Griswold was a smaller part of Fort Trumbull. It wasn't actively used by soldiers after the Civil War. An ordnance sergeant, who was like a caretaker for military equipment, looked after it.
One famous caretaker was Ordnance Sergeant Mark Wentworth Smith. He served from 1863 to 1879. Sergeant Smith was a veteran of the Mexican–American War and was wounded in battle. He died in 1879 at 76 years old. He was the oldest active-duty enlisted soldier in Army history. Fort Griswold became less important after the Spanish–American War. This was because a new fort, Fort H. G. Wright, was built in 1906 on Fishers Island. This new fort protected the Harbor Defenses of Long Island Sound.
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Today
The State of Connecticut has owned and managed Fort Griswold as a state park since 1953. It's called Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. Visitors can see the restored earthwork battery, old cannons, a shot furnace (used to heat cannonballs), and a powder magazine. The park also has several monuments and memorials. These honor Connecticut residents who fought in different wars.
Exploring the Monuments and Museums
- The Groton Monument is a tall granite tower. It honors the brave defenders who died during the Battle of Groton Heights. It was built between 1826 and 1830. The monument stands 135 feet (41 meters) tall and has 166 steps.
- Next to the monument is the Monument House Museum. It has exhibits about the Revolutionary War. The Daughters of the American Revolution operate this museum. Visitors can climb the monument and visit the museum. It is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.
- The Ebenezer Avery House is another historic spot. Wounded soldiers were cared for here after the Battle of Groton Heights. This house is a museum from the Revolutionary period. You can take tours on summer weekends.
See also
