Generation
"May, 1775, Capt. William Douglas commanded a warlike band. Serjant Levi Munson, Corporals Josiah Fowler, Jun., and Benjamin Henshaw, privates Nathaniel Bunnel, Caleb Cooke, John Elwell, Samuel Cook, Joseph Hawkins, Abner Thorp, from Northford.
He marched to New York, thence to the Capture of St. John's, Canada. The Capture of that place occasioned a thrill of joy. A brother of General Ethan Allen brought the good news to New Haven. Colonel Fitch ordered out the cannon. Thirteen thunders--one for each State echoed to the shouts of the warm hearted freemen. The gallant Allen, soldier like, leaped on a Canon. At the last fire, swung his hat and cried: "God save the Continental Congress! Three Cheers!" O, it was done to the life! It was my first term in Yale College.
Jan. 1776, another detachment under Major Douglas of three months men was ordered to New York. Ensign Titus Munson (died on Long Island, Mch. 1776), Joseph Bunel, Solomon Linly and my brother Thaddeus Maltby were a part. Again in May, 1776, Lieut. Ambrose Baldwin, Serjeant Benjamin Norton, Corporal Thaddeus Maltby and Dan Bartholomew, Peter Farnum, Fastor Munro and Dick Negro, seven men from that little Village march to the Northern army. Four of these free born sons fell Victims in the Cause of their Country, Thaddeus Maltby, Dan Bartholomew, Factor Munro and D. Negro, and two of the Militia to New York, Edwin Foot and Dan Page.
Col. Douglas commanded the Regt. of Leather Caps." (cap of his invention). "It was said to be the first Regt. of the Connecticut troops.
In August the Militia were ordered to New York and Col. Douglas acting as General of Brigade. After his decease, May, 1777, the Regt. was commanded by Col. Meigs during the War.
The Regiment was always a terror to the enemy.
Sergt. Levi Munson and Sergt. Benjamin Norton, early entered the Army and retired 1783. Lieutenant Serjeant Munson was captured with General Allen and was in prison with him two years in England.
On his exchange he was told: "You have seen enough, you will never fight us again."
"I will fight you the first opportunity." was his reply. Was appointed Lieutenant and served during the War.
Capt. Isaac Foot was a warm and active officer. Commanded a detachment of the Troop to New York, 1776.
Jonathan Maltby and Solomon Talmage of the same troops with others, were dispatched under Capt. Treat of Milford to the Capture of Burgoyne. Her Sons were in many battles.
Mr. Josiah Fowler and others were with Major Meigs in the ex- pedition to Long Island when 90 of the enemy were captured. They were guarded one night in the Episcopal Church in Northford on their way to Hartford.
Mr. Elhiu Fowler was in the battle at White Plains (was a marks- man) said he had many fair shots at the enemy as he ever had at a squirrel.
Jonathan Finch served during and Peter Lyon were at the taking of Cornwallis and in many other perils of the Revolution.
The whole Mass were engaged in emergencies and Northford left destitute of male inhabitants.
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