Local historian Jim Bach, will give a half-hour talk on The Battle of Ridgefield—the closest Revolutionary War battle to New Canaan– during the Quarterly Meeting at the New Canaan Historical Society on March 10th at 3:00 pm.
Back in April 1775, we were a sleepy township of 900. The British army set off to destroy George Washington’s valuable medical and military supplies in Danbury. The Brits succeed but our boys caught up with the redcoats in Ridgefield—10 miles from New Canaan—on their return trip to their boats in Norwalk.

It was a real authentic “rhubarb” between King George III’s finest (Napoleonic veterans) and our largely rookie farmers. Jim’s PowerPoint presentation covers Canaan Parish boys and the early heroics of General Benedict Arnold at a time when Arnold was first on our side and before his ultimate treachery.
You will come away with much to share with your friends abut New Canaan’s “closest encounter.”

Jim Bach was born and raised in New Canaan. His family dates back in town three generations to 1917.
Bach serves on the Historical Society’s Board of Governors. He is a frequent lecturer on town history.

The presentation is free to the public. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. The New Canaan Historical Society is located at 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan. (203) 966-1776 www.history.org

Photo caption: Map courtesy of Ridgefield Historical Society

Photo caption: Jim Bach