William Ledyard was an American soldier. He served during the American Revolutionary War.
Background
William Ledyard was born at Groton, Connecticut, a descendant of John Ledyard who sailed from Bristol, England, and settled in Connecticut. Ledyard's parents were John and Deborah (Youngs) Ledyard, and a nephew was the celebrated traveler John Ledyard. Practically nothing is known of William's early life.
Career
From the beginning of the Revolution Ledyard was a member of the committee of correspondence and of the military committee of his town. In 1776 he was made captain of artillery, and his command was extended to include the towns in the neighborhood. This part of the coast was exposed to British attacks, and had long been threatened. In the autumn of 1781 Benedict Arnold, now a British general, led a raid into his native state, following a similar incursion into Virginia. He took New London, and dispatched Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre to capture Fort Griswold on Groton Heights, across the Thames River (Sept. 6, 1781).
The fort was defended by Ledyard with a small body of militia, to a large degree youths, and poorly armed. The British commander, who had two battalions of regular infantry--800 men in all--demanded surrender, which Ledyard refused. Eyre then sent a second demand, stating that no quarter would be granted if resistance was made. Ledyard again returned a spirited refusal, ordered his men to reserve fire, and inflicted a heavy loss. Eyre, who led one assaulting column, was mortally wounded; and Montgomery, who commanded the other column, was killed. Overwhelmed by numbers, Ledyard surrendered to Bromfield, who had succeeded to Eyre's place.
A survivor of the conflict relates the event which followed: To Bromfield's demand: "Who commands this Fort?" Ledyard replied: "I did, but you do now, " at the same moment tendering his sword (Hempstead, post). Ledyard was killed almost at once, apparently with his own sword, though the witnesses differ as to the British officer who was responsible for the deed. Ledyard's death was followed by a general massacre of the garrison, the odium of which has fallen upon Arnold, although he was not actually present. On the scene of the battle a monument was erected in 1830, and in 1854 Ledyard was honored by a smaller monument in the cemetery.
Achievements
Connections
Ledyard was married in January 1761 to Anne Williams of Stonington, by whom he had nine children.