Sgt Enos Barnes Recalls His Miraculous Deliverance During Tryon's Raid and the Burning of Norwalk Connecticut

Sergeant Enos Barn[e]s lived in the South Farms area of what was then Litchfield and is now Morris Connecticut.  The Morris Historical Society has a transcript of an unpublished diary or memoir written by Barnes to record his service during the American Revolution.  Running more than 36 pages, the transcript offers a unique perspective on several well-known events between 1776 and 1783, including participation in the attack on Trenton and the Battle of Princeton and Monmouth.  It also includes episodes that were of particular significance to him as a participant.  Among these was his service, with a detachment from the Connecticut line, in the defense of Norwalk Connecticut during Tryon's raid in July 1779.  The following excerpt provides one of the very few first-hand accounts that we have today by an enlisted participant in that fight.

“…The enemy lay very still in New York, and our army received orders to march to Fredericksborough [1], where we lay taking the pleasures that soldiers in a military life could expect. At length we received orders to march to a place called Second Hill in Connecticut State [2] where we stayed till some time in November [1778], then we received orders to march to Redding where we built huts and tarried there during the winter.
At this time we had but little news from the enemy, but however when Spring came and the weather grew warm, we had orders to take the field so marching from our old quarters, going to a place called Crumford [3] where we took quarters for some days. At length we received orders to march to Peek’s[kill] but our stay here was short for we soon moved to a place called Nelson’s Point [4] where we pitched again. At length news came that the enemy was moving to the eastward, but their destination was as yet unknown to us. Immediately from this, orders came that a detachment from the Connecticut Line should be sent to Bedford. With this party it happened to be my lot to go. So we marched to the place with all haste imaginable and took quarters. But about 12 o’clock that night we had orders to turn out and with all speed. We marched off and came into Stamford about sunrise. Then the news came that the enemy had landed at Fairfield [5] and set the town on fire, and consumed it to ashes. But soon there was speedy news come that the enemy was come along the sound and was lying off against Norwalk. We then received orders to march there as soon as possible which we cheerfully obeyed. After we arrived there we perceived by the motions of the enemy that they were about to land. Accordingly next morning about break of day they began to land and they continued it till the sun was about an hour high and it was not in our power to prevent it for they landed under cover of their shipping. By this time there was some thousands of militia collected in bodies around the town and the continental troops that was there consisted of about 120 [6]. Now it being 7 o’clock in the morning we had orders to advance and begin the attack. Dividing the detachment of Continental troops into three parts, advancing up we gave them a salute, which they returned in the warmest terms. We kept up the fire for some hours hot and heavy till some fired upwards of 50 cartridges. At last we were obliged to give back by reason of the militia not being disciplined and did not conduct themselves like experienced warriors.

One thing I will mention and thanks be to the Almighty for my Deliverance which was very miraculous. I was ordered to move a little to the left to see if the enemy was likely to advance upon our flanks, and as I was getting over a fence I found myself almost in an ambush of the enemy, for they let fly a shower of balls upon me. But providentially a man was getting over the fence on my right with his musket in his left hand which brought his bayonet close to my head and a ball struck that, took a piece out of it and glanced the ball by my head, which in all probability would have gone through my head provided the bayonet had not been there.
By this time the whole town was on fire, which was a terrible sight to behold, to see a whole town consumed in flames. The enemy now began to draw near the water, and so went on board again and fell down to the sound westward [7]. We then was ordered to march back to Stamford where we stayed one night. After this we made again to Peekskill where we pitched out tents and lay till the weather grew so cold it that was time to go for winter quarters. We then received orders to march for Morristown where we built huts in order to take quarters for that winter. But we did not enjoy our huts long for the Connecticut line received orders to march down and guard the line going into a place called Springfield [New Jersey], where we took quarters during the winter…”

[1] Fredericksburgh was an area in the eastern portion of the Philipse Manor, now part of Patterson and Southeast, Putnam County, New York. The Continental Army encampment in 1778 was located here.

[2] The October 1778 muster roll for Wright’s company was dated 11/4/1778 at Second Hill, possibly a locality by than name in Stratford, CT.  By the next muster December 2^nd, they were at Redding.

[3] Crum Pond or Crompond was located to the east of Cortlandt Manor in what is now Yorktown, Westchester County, NY, and a popular rendezvous place for CT state troops during the war.  The 5/15/1779 muster for Wright’s company of the 5^th CT Continentals was taken at this place.

[4] Nelson’s or Nielson’s Point was located opposite West Point on the East side of the Hudson River.  Wright’s company of the 5^th CT was mustered here in August and September 1779

[5] Fairfield was burned on July 7, 1779 during General Tryon’s punitive raid on Coastal Connecticut.  Tryon attacked New Haven and East Haven July 5 and 6^th; Fairfield on July 7^th, and Norwalk on July 11^th.

[6]  Enos Barnes was during this period was a Sergeant in Captain Jonathan A. Wright’s company of Col. Philip Burr Bradley’s 5^th Connecticut Continental regiment.  According to an account of the battle written by Brigadier General Parsons [ see note 7, below] , the Continental Troops available to him at Norwalk were commanded by three Captains: Betts, Eels and Sherman.  Captain Stephen Betts of Stamford was in Webb's, later Butler's 2nd CT Regiment. Captain Edward Eells of Middletown was in Wylly's 3rd CT Regiment.  These officers commanded detachments comprising men from different units and companies, as is evident from Barnes's service from the 5th CT. About a dozen men from his company are listed "on Duty" during this period, including two Sergeants and a Corporal, and perhaps some of these were with Parsons at Norwalk under one or more of these Captains.

[7] The battle of Norwalk was the last action of Tryon’s Raid on coastal Connecticut.  His official report of the action reads as follows:

“The sun being nearly set before the 54^th, the Landgrave’s Regiment and the Jagers were in the boats, it was near nine in the evening when I landed them at the Cow Pasture, a Peninsula on the east of the Harbour within a mile and a half of the bridge, which formed a communication between the east and west parts of the village, nearly equally divided by a salt creek. The King’s American Regiment being unable to join us before three next morning,  we lay that night on our arms. In our march at the dawn of day, the 54^th lead the column and soon fell in with the rebel outposts, and driving the Enemy with great alacrity and spirit, dispossessed them of Drummond Hill, the heights at the end of the village, east from and commanding the bridge.  It being now but four o’clock in the morning and the rebels having taken post within random cannon shot upon the hills of the north, I resolved to halt until the Second Division landed at the Old Wells, on the west side of the harbour, had advanced and formed the junction. Gen. Garth’s division passed the bridge by nine, and at my desire, proceeded to the north end of the village, from whence, and especially from the houses, there had been a fire for five hours upon our advanced guards. The Fuzileers, supported by the Light Infantry of the Guards, began the attack, and soon cleared that quarter, pushing the main body, and an hundred cavalry, from the northern heights, and taking one piece of their cannon.
   After many salt pans were destroyed, whale boats carried on board the flied, and the magazines, stores and vessels set in flames, with the greatest part of the dwelling houses, the advanced corps were drawn back, and the troops relieved in two columns, to the place of our first debarkation, and unassaulted took ship and returned to Huntington Bay.…The rebels in arms at new Haven were considerable, more numerous at Fairfield, and still more so at Norwalk. There were two hundred and fifty Continental troops had now joined their militia, under Gen. Parsons, and together were said to be upwards of two thousand. The accounts of their loss are vague. It could not be trifling.”

Brigadier Samuel Parsons wrote to George Washington later that day after the British had withdrawn:

Wilton [Conn.] 11th July 79

Dr Genl

In my last, I informd that the Enemy landed last Night: at four this Morning the Enemy on their Advance were met by the Militia & some Skirmishing insued, but without any considerable Effect on either Side; at about Six o’Clock the Troops under Genl Wolcott, & my Small Detachment of 150 Conl Troops were joind & took possession of an Emminece the North End of the Town. the Enemy advanced in our Front & on our left Flank until about 9 o’Clock when they were checkd in their Progress by the Vigorous Exertions of the Parties of Militia & Conl Troops sent out to oppose them; and in Turn were compeld to retire from Hill to Hill at some Times in great Disorder; we continued to advance upon them until near 11 o’Clock when a Column having nearly gaind our Right Flank; the Militia in the Center gave Way & retreated in Disorder; this gave the Enemy Possession of our Ground. Genl Wolcott who commanded exerted himself on this Occasion to raly the Troops & bring them to Order again; but without Effect until they had retird about Two Miles when some Troops being again formd returnd to the Aid of the Right & left Wings who had retird but a Small Distance & in Order with these the Enemy were pursued again and retreated with Precipitation to their ships. I have the Pleasure to assure your Excellency the Conl Troops without Exception, they being all ingagd behavd with the greatest Bravery. Capt. Betts who was the first engaged with the Enemy & who continued longest in Action deserves Particular Notice for his great Fortitude & prudent Conduct in the Battle, he continued Advancing on the Enemy until the Center of the main Body gave way & he with his Party advancd near a Mile at the Time by his Prudence were able to effect a regular Retreat without any considerable Loss. Capt. Eells on the Right & Cpt. Sherman on the Left were also ingagd & when obliged to retire kept their Order & retreated with Regularity. A Body of the Militia I think they were commanded by Major [Phineas] Porter & another Considerable Detachment deserve honorable mention to be made of them. I am not yet able to assertain our own or the Enemy’s Loss but in my next shall be able to give a more particular Account. in my handful of Conl Troops, I have lost five Men kild; Lieut. [Samuel] Gibbs [of the 3rd CT] & Six Privates Wounded. I don’t know of any missing; some Loss the Militia have sustain’d. I am satisfied the Loss of the Enemy must have been considerable. About Twenty Boats landed on the West Side the Harbour at five o’clock & immediately began to set fire to the Buildings, they compleated burning the Town at about twelve o’Clock; this appears to have been their sole Business as they ⟨did⟩ not stay to carry off any Plunder of con⟨side⟩rable Value A few Tory Houses are left which I hope our People will burn, as the Owners are here and have committed no Act by which the public can seise them: I imagine Stamford will be the next object to wreck their hellish Malice upon, to that Place I shall repair to Morrow. I am fully persuaded that five Hundred more Men such as the brave Militia I have before mentiond & the 150 Conl Troops would have given the Enemy a total defeat. the Numbers of the Enemy were about 2000. our Numbers between 900 & 1100. I am Dr Genl yr Obedt Servt

Saml H. Parsons

 Captain Stephen Betts later gave the following deposition at Norwalk on July 26^th, 1779:

“That on the 11th Instant, while the Enemy invaded Norwalk, he with about Fifty Continental Troops, and some Militia ingaged a superior Number of the Enemy, which oblidged them to give way to an unequal Force, as they retreated John Waters a continental Soldier fell into the Enemys Hands and delivered up his Arms and begged for Life, but the Enemy notwithstanding assaulted him with Bayonets with which they stabed him in sundry places, and then one of them presented his piece, and aimed (as the Captive supposed) at his Body, but missing that the Ball shattered his Arm whereupon finding no Qua⟨r⟩ter he made a strong Effort to escape which he happily effected, soon after the above Accident, John Rich an other Continental Soldier was shot so as to fall and as the Enemy were nigh and Crowded fast on our People he desired Capt. Betts to leave him, as they could not take him off without the greatest Hazard, Capt. Betts saw Rich no more, but says Capt. Eeles of Colonel Wyllys’s Regiment told him he saw Rich after the Enemy had retreated, about two Hours after Capt. Betts saw him, he was then dead, and the Top of his Skull torn off supposed to be blown off by a Musquet to dispach him and further saith not”