Lusterrules So-Called Dollars

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The battle of Groton Heights was fought on September 6, 1781, when Brigadier General Benedict Arnold ordered a division of British forces under his command to assault Fort Griswold which was located on a hill overlooking the Thames River in Groton Connecticut. The fort was defended by small number (150 to 165) of American militia under the command of Colonel William Ledyard. Before moving on the fort, British Colonel Eyre sent a message to the Americans demanding that they surrender. Colonel Ledyard refused. Colonel Eyre then sent another message warning that if he had to storm the fort he would give “no quarter” to its defenders, to which Colonel Ledyard replied “We will not give up the fort, let the consequences be what they may.” Upon receiving Colonel Ledyard’s second refusal of surrender, the British forces immediately began their assault on the fort. Although vastly outnumbered, the Americans were able to inflict significant damage to their attackers, including killing or seriously wounding a number of British officers. Eventually, the British were able to breach a gate and storm into the fort. Realizing that the fort had been penetrated, Colonel Ledyard ordered his men to cease fighting. A British officer then walked up to Colonel Ledyard and asked “Who commands this fort”. Colonel Ledyard replied “I did, but you do now” while offering his sword in surrender. The British officer took the sword from Ledyard’s hand and thrust it into Ledyard’s chest, killing him. A black American soldier named Lambo Latham then shot and killed the British officer who killed Colonel Ledyard. The remaining Americans who had already surrendered were then massacred by the British. The whole battle lasted 40 mins. and was the last major military encounter of the revolutionary war in the northern United States. This medal was issued by George Hampden Lovett to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the battle. It is made of white metal and is the plate medal used for HK-125 in So-Called Dollars: An Illustrated Catalog 2nd Edition. Graded MS-66 DPL (2/0) it is a top pop example. The overall rarity is R5 (76-200 known).