William Ledyard

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William Ledyard (December 6, 1738 – September 6, 1781) was a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut militia who was killed in the American Revolutionary War.

Born in Groton, Connecticut, Ledyard was in command of Fort Griswold on September 6, 1781, when the fort fell to the British under Benedict Arnold in the Battle of Groton Heights. Ledyard had refused a British demand to surrender the fort.

According to American accounts of the battle, after the British stormed Fort Griswold, a British officer demanded to know who commanded the fort. Ledyard replied "I did, sir, but you do now," and offered his sword. The British officer took the sword and stabbed Ledyard to death, initiating a massacre of some eighty captive Americans.

The town of Ledyard, Connecticut, is named for William Ledyard.

William Ledyard's nephew was noted explorer John Ledyard.

[edit] External links

• Ledyard's service record from Francis B. Heitman's Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army
• "The Coming of the Revolution 1773-1776", Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
• Joseph Duffy, "Connecticut At War", Connecticut Humanities Council
• Ledyard genealogy page (source for birthdate)
• Columbia Encyclopedia entry