Battle of Norwalk/Flax Hill Monument and Revolutionary War Cannonball

This monument is a relic from the Revolutionary War, and features a cannonball from the Battle of Norwalk (also known as Battle of the Rocks), embedded in stone. The monument was recognized in 1896 by the Daughters of the Revolution. Please be respectful when viewing this monument as it is on private property.

The Battle of Norwalk occurred on July 11th, during Tryon’s Raid, an effort to help the Loyalist forces. Led by General William Tryon, Tryon and his men raided Connecticut ports, where they stole from, destroyed, and burned many storehouses, public buildings, houses, and churches. On July 3rd, Tryon and his men struck New Haven, and on July 8th and 9th, they raided Fairfield. News of the Fairfield raid reached Norwalk residents, who believed they would be targeted next, and did their best to gather their clothing, goods, tools, and valuables to hide or take out of town by wagon. Women and children left town and many were sheltered by kindhearted residents of nearby areas like Wilton Parish. Patriot General Samuel Parsons did his best to round up troops to defend the town, but most men were already away fighting the war. He apparently requested that George Washington send 1,000 soldiers to help fight Tryon’s army. However, the troops dispatched by Washington didn’t reach Norwalk in time, nor did other Connecticut companies from places like Milford.

On July 10th, General Tryon was stationed with half of his army near the Norwalk Bridge, and waited for the Second Division under General Thomas Garth. Reports indicate that there were about 2,500 British troops, and about 800-900 Patriot soldiers amassed under Parsons and General Oliver Wolcott, who were stationed on the heights known as the “Rocks.” Some fire was exchanged between parties and records indicate that 3 Patriot soldiers were killed or wounded, while the British army reported 20 killed, 96 wounded, and 32 missing men after the battle. The Patriot troops didn’t have nearly enough force to stop Tryon’s raid, and the army continued to pillage and burn the town before continuing on down the coast.

The cannonball embedded in the stone represents this battle, and there are a few similar stone monuments throughout Norwalk commemorating this event.