Reference | HK-125 |
---|---|
Date | 1881 |
Grade | MS 65 DPL |
Price | $835.00 |
Item # | 3400 |
Metal | White Metal |
Near TOP POP, only two in 66 DPL graded finer. Engraved by George Hampden Lovett commemorating the famous revolutionary war battle fought at Fort Griswold in 1781. There were approximately 150 revolutionary soldiers under the command of American Colonel William Ledyard defending the fort. Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who the year prior betrayed his American compatriots to join the British, approached the fort with 1,700 British soldiers. The British asked Ledyard to surrender, his reply stated on the medal struck in 1881 starts “We will not give up the fort, let the consequences be what they may”. The British attacked the fort and suffered significant casualties but eventually penetrated the fort. Colonel Ledyard ordered a cease fire and surrendered, handing his sword to a British officer. The officer took Ledyard’s sword and stabbed him in the chest killing him. A black soldier then shot and killed the British officer. About six revolutionary soldiers had been killed prior to the surrender, the British then massacred the remaining 145 soldiers. A few survived their wounds to tell the story.