Military Reports of the Patriots
Report from Captain Stephen Betts
“That on the 11th instant while the enemy invaded Norwalk, he with about fifty continental troops and some militia engaged a superior number of the enemy which obliged them to give way to an unequal force. As they retreated, John Waters, a continental soldier fell into the enemys hands delivered up his arms and beg’d for life but the enemy notwithstanding assaulted him with bayonet with which they stabbed 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 quarter he made a strong effort to escape which he happily effected.
Soon after the above accident John Rich, another continental soldier was shot so as to fall and as the enemy were nigh and crowded fast on our people, he desired Captain Betts to leave him as they could not take him off without the greatest hazard.
Captain Betts saw Rich no more, but says Captain Eels of Col. Wyllys’s Regt. 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 dispatch him. And further said not Before me
THADDEUS BETTS Justice of Peace.”
George Washington in 1781:
“The Destructive evidences of British cruelty are yet visible both in Norwalk and Fairfield; as there are the chimneys of many burnt houses Standing in there yet.”
From Reports of The Council of Safety
“Letter received from Maj. Gen. Wolcott dated Norwalk, 11th July giving account of his situation and proceedings of the enemy’s landing at Norwalk Saturday night, 11th and burning the town the next day.”
“Copy of letter receiv’d from Middletown by express, signed Caleb Bull, dated Stratford, 12[th] and the next morning set fire to the town and burnt the whole, few scattering houses excepted.”