Great video. This battle has been grossly underrated and often forgotten in revolutionary war documentaries and study. It really deserves a documentary of its own.
Thank you for this excellent documentary. I was raised in Ledyard, CT and this was our summer playground whenever we visited Washington Park. This was a big part of my growing up and influenced me to research my own genealogy and I am a member of the Sons of the American Revolution now. Ft. Griswold and the Battle of Groton Heights were more than just history for me and my family, they were formative and transforming influences on our lives. BTW...I served 9 years in the Army National Guard right there in Groton. Sometimes I would run from the airport to the park for PT. 🇺🇸
Thank you for the compliment, and Thanks for sharing your story. There are so many fascinating stories throughout history which don’t receive enough attention
It is truly unbelievable that this TH-cam Channel doesn't have Millions of subscribers yet!! I just found this channel today but every video I've watched is amazing! The only bad thing I can think of is that these videos Aren't longer. 👍
@@ErikKSwanson that would be an honor! Living in Groton I had to do the story. Relatively new to video work, I hope to be at your level production wise soon!
This battlefield was my playground growing up as I lived up the street from it & still do. In the 70s' going into the 80s' they would hold reenactments of the battle every year on its anniversary. The greatest one happening in 1976 when the full compliment of English soldiers attacked the fort as the Yankee defenders fired canons & musket into their ranks before being overwhelmed & slaughtered. As a 9yr old that day was etched into my mind. What saddens me is that Fort Griswold is a state park that is pretty much ignored by the state & its history is not well known outside of this area. It needs money to maintain its slowly deteriorating embankments. The state or the federal government needs to invest in this jewel & restore it to 1781 condition. This was the only battle to take place in Connecticut during the war & its story need's to be told!!
@@ErikKSwanson The 135ft obelisk that commemorates the battle when I was a kid was open everyday & the windows at the top were wide open. My friends & I would throw our toys out the windows to watch them land. This was in the mid 70s' & we would throw G.I. Joe with a parachute & Evel Knievel with his bike or his Snake River Rocket. We would put him in his winder that you had to use to get his wheels moving & then fire him out the window! It was great fun. You should do a video on the ghosts whose spirits are still on the battlefield. I have many friends who've encountered these spirit's over the years.
@@barnaclestval that’s awesome! I probably would have been tossing G.I. Joes off of there also! That is a great idea to make a video about the ghosts. I would love to do that. Can you put me in touch with anyone who has had an encounter? I would love to interview them on camera about the experience
I live in good ole Connecticut and I greatly appreciate the videos that you have constructed. I grew up in Guilford which boasts the oldest stone house in New England. Aptly named The Stone House (I guess the didn't put much thought into that) it is actually named the Henry Whitfeild house and is now a museum. I have done community service/preventive restoration there and it is a really great place. Connecticut has a rich history and is overshadowed by its neighbors New York and Massachusetts. I thank you again for the video and will look with anticipation for future content as I am definitely going to subscribe. -D.G-
@@ErikKSwanson Yeah even when I was growing up in the 90s they didn't even teach about the Civil War. When I was a sophomore in high school my history/ economics teacher let me teach for a day about the Uncivil War (as I like to call it) the sad thing is that I think those 82 minutes that I taught my peers was the most that they had ever learned about it. I myself love history and New Yorks is great. From the first settlers into the early 1900's and even today New York is just one of those places that will always have its place in the books and rightfully so. You mentioned Benedict Arnold in the battle of Fort Griswold I believe. Just imagine if Benedict Arnold was able to seize West Point back during the revolution! I have a feeling that the revolution would have had a different outcome. That is another part of history that is not taught, so sad. But like the saying goes "those who know history will not let history repeat itself." -D.G-
You and "The Mob Reporter" sound like you could be twins! With you having an excellent narration voice and covering topics I find very interesting. You can call me a new subscriber! We'll see you around! :)
Another Groton resident coming through. Here courtesy of Carlos and the mole men. Colonel Ledyard huh. Named a whole county after him and if you asked people on the street here I bet they couldn't tell you why. There's a graveyard near my home whose tombstone has no name and simply reads hms terror. Parked here a few times raiding the rivers for supplies during the same timeline. British child soldier was shot, not a battle but a skirmish. Defenders stricken with morality and a sense of grief gave the boy a proper burial
The locals are pronouncing it the way it was named, and the way it is spelled... It wasn't my first guess on how to pronounce it either... it should say something about the English language when we're surprised that a word is actually pronounced the way it is spelled.
The long story of the 40th of foot after arriving in America puts this battle into focus. Arriving from Ireland just days after The Battle of Bunker Hill the unit fought in just about every major victory the British had throughout the war. These toughened veterans had survived multiple bayonet charges and victories and the war was slipping away into defeat. Arnold was correct. The Fort played no role in sacking the Warehouses of New London which they had already achieved. Much like the Battle of New Orleans the orders came too late.
Watching this documentary one would think the Americans never committed any atrocities themselves. In Canada we thank the British for saving us from becoming American. During the War of 1812, the Americans looted and burned York Upper Canada (Now downtown Toronto).
Great video. This battle has been grossly underrated and often forgotten in revolutionary war documentaries and study. It really deserves a documentary of its own.
I agree. It is such a compelling story, I’m surprised it isn’t told more often
Born and raised in New London. I’ve never heard it told better. Thank You.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it
You have a professional voice that could be on the history Channel. Very enjoyable to listen to.
Thanks!
Agreed.
Thank you for this excellent documentary. I was raised in Ledyard, CT and this was our summer playground whenever we visited Washington Park. This was a big part of my growing up and influenced me to research my own genealogy and I am a member of the Sons of the American Revolution now. Ft. Griswold and the Battle of Groton Heights were more than just history for me and my family, they were formative and transforming influences on our lives. BTW...I served 9 years in the Army National Guard right there in Groton. Sometimes I would run from the airport to the park for PT. 🇺🇸
Thank you for the compliment, and Thanks for sharing your story. There are so many fascinating stories throughout history which don’t receive enough attention
I think I'm on my 5th Erik Swanson video.... I'm hooked... forts and maple syrup are my jam.
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying them!
Just found your channel. Love your clear voice and respectable style.
I live in Groton and visit the battlefield often
It is truly unbelievable that this TH-cam Channel doesn't have Millions of subscribers yet!!
I just found this channel today but every video I've watched is amazing!
The only bad thing I can think of is that these videos Aren't longer. 👍
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. Hopefully more folks will find my channel
itll come soon
love the video man! I coincidentally made a video about this around the same time! Mustve been something in the air
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I’ll be sure to check your video out - it’s a great story
@@ErikKSwanson that would be an honor! Living in Groton I had to do the story. Relatively new to video work, I hope to be at your level production wise soon!
This battlefield was my playground growing up as I lived up the street from it & still do.
In the 70s' going into the 80s' they would hold reenactments of the battle every year on its anniversary. The greatest one happening in 1976 when the full compliment of English soldiers attacked the fort as the Yankee defenders fired canons & musket into their ranks before being overwhelmed & slaughtered.
As a 9yr old that day was etched into my mind.
What saddens me is that Fort Griswold is a state park that is pretty much ignored by the state & its history is not well known outside of this area. It needs money to maintain its slowly deteriorating embankments. The state or the federal government needs to invest in this jewel & restore it to 1781 condition.
This was the only battle to take place in Connecticut during the war & its story need's to be told!!
That must have been a great place to visit as a kid!
@@ErikKSwanson The 135ft obelisk that commemorates the battle when I was a kid was open everyday & the windows at the top were wide open.
My friends & I would throw our toys out the windows to watch them land.
This was in the mid 70s' & we would throw G.I. Joe with a parachute & Evel Knievel with his bike or his Snake River Rocket.
We would put him in his winder that you had to use to get his wheels moving & then fire him out the window! It was great fun.
You should do a video on the ghosts whose spirits are still on the battlefield. I have many friends who've encountered these spirit's over the years.
@@barnaclestval that’s awesome! I probably would have been tossing G.I. Joes off of there also!
That is a great idea to make a video about the ghosts. I would love to do that. Can you put me in touch with anyone who has had an encounter? I would love to interview them on camera about the experience
@@ErikKSwanson I'll definitely ask.
@@barnaclestval thanks!
Thank you, Excellent video.....
History Channel needs to pick this guy up
Thanks… unfortunately they barely do “history” anymore
I live in good ole Connecticut and I greatly appreciate the videos that you have constructed. I grew up in Guilford which boasts the oldest stone house in New England. Aptly named The Stone House (I guess the didn't put much thought into that) it is actually named the Henry Whitfeild house and is now a museum. I have done community service/preventive restoration there and it is a really great place. Connecticut has a rich history and is overshadowed by its neighbors New York and Massachusetts. I thank you again for the video and will look with anticipation for future content as I am definitely going to subscribe. -D.G-
Thanks you, I appreciate that. I'll definitely have to look into the stone house.
Even in NY the history isn't promoted as much as it should be.
@@ErikKSwanson Yeah even when I was growing up in the 90s they didn't even teach about the Civil War. When I was a sophomore in high school my history/ economics teacher let me teach for a day about the Uncivil War (as I like to call it) the sad thing is that I think those 82 minutes that I taught my peers was the most that they had ever learned about it. I myself love history and New Yorks is great. From the first settlers into the early 1900's and even today New York is just one of those places that will always have its place in the books and rightfully so. You mentioned Benedict Arnold in the battle of Fort Griswold I believe. Just imagine if Benedict Arnold was able to seize West Point back during the revolution! I have a feeling that the revolution would have had a different outcome. That is another part of history that is not taught, so sad. But like the saying goes "those who know history will not let history repeat itself." -D.G-
Do you make audio books? Perfect voice as did Casey Kasem
Thanks
Very interesting. Really appreciate these videos. Thanks for making them.
Thanks Rick! I am glad to hear people are finding value in them. I really appreciate your positive feedback
You and "The Mob Reporter" sound like you could be twins! With you having an excellent narration voice and covering topics I find very interesting. You can call me a new subscriber! We'll see you around! :)
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying my videos. I’ll have some new ones out in a few weeks
Good video, was looking for more info on my 5th great grandfather Samuel Allyn and found this.
Thanks Randy, I am glad you enjoyed it. Was your 5th great Grandfather at the battle of Groton Heights?
@@ErikKSwanson If my genealogy is correct he and a lot of his family died there.
@@randyravis8413 interesting. I’ll have to check the historic texts I downloaded to see if his name is mentioned
This battle was seen in Turn: Washington's Spies.
I’ll have to check that out. I’ve heard good things about the show, but haven’t watched it
Another Groton resident coming through. Here courtesy of Carlos and the mole men. Colonel Ledyard huh. Named a whole county after him and if you asked people on the street here I bet they couldn't tell you why. There's a graveyard near my home whose tombstone has no name and simply reads hms terror. Parked here a few times raiding the rivers for supplies during the same timeline. British child soldier was shot, not a battle but a skirmish. Defenders stricken with morality and a sense of grief gave the boy a proper burial
Another great video. I actually had not read about this event and am thrilled to learn about it hear on this channel! Great content as always.
Thanks Tacit Ronin, I appreciate it! Glad I was able to share something new with you.
You have a great channel
Thank you!
I can never understand who thought it was a good idea to stand in line
Love my history and this was interesting
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it
This Brit remembers visiting those forts. Sadly what stuck in my mind was how locals pronounce the name of the river all wrong!
The locals are pronouncing it the way it was named, and the way it is spelled... It wasn't my first guess on how to pronounce it either... it should say something about the English language when we're surprised that a word is actually pronounced the way it is spelled.
The long story of the 40th of foot after arriving in America puts this battle into focus. Arriving from Ireland just days after The Battle of Bunker Hill the unit fought in just about every major victory the British had throughout the war. These toughened veterans had survived multiple bayonet charges and victories and the war was slipping away into defeat. Arnold was correct. The Fort played no role in sacking the Warehouses of New London which they had already achieved. Much like the Battle of New Orleans the orders came too late.
Cool
Maybe it's the "Tims" River as in the UK?
In Connecticut they pronounce the name of the river the way it is spelled
Watching this documentary one would think the Americans never committed any atrocities themselves. In Canada we thank the British for saving us from becoming American.
During the War of 1812, the Americans looted and burned York Upper Canada (Now downtown Toronto).
Reading this comment one would think that France didn't rule Canada at any point in time
Who was the British Commander who killed Ledyard? What became of him? The bastard.
I think it was Captain Bloomfield. No idea what happened to him. He was probably promoted
@@ErikKSwanson Thx Eric. Hah! Yes, probably promoted.