Page 7 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 52 Winter 2025

John Mansfield: Revolution-
ary War Hero, 1775-1783
But history had other plans for John
Mansfield. In 1774 Wallingford was
abuzz with talk of British taxes and
insurrection, early patriots secret-
ly met to discuss strategy. When the
Connecticut Legislature first called
for troops in April-May 1775, Man-
sfield enlisted as a sergeant under
Isaac Cook’s 7th Company, 1st Con-
necticut regiment. In this capacity he
served in New York and Long Island
during the summer of 1775, followed
by service under General Schuyler at
Lake George and Lake Champlain. Dis-
charged in November, he returned to
his family and life in Wallingford. Man-
sfield loved his country and was de- Oct 14, 1781 Storming Redoubt #10
voted to the cause of independence,
and soon felt the need to re-enlist. In hope” attack on redoubt #10. To en- broke through obstructions, crossed
June 1776 he was appointed ensign sure a surprise attack, only bayonets a defensive ditch, and scaled the par-
in the Fifth Battalion under General were to be used, and bullets were apet to capture the redoubt and 70
Wadsworth and fought in the Battle of emptied from the rifles. [The term Redcoats. Mansfield was the first to
White Plains in October. He was fur- “forlorn hope” was new to me. Google reach the British battlement and was
loughed six months later and returned informed me that “The term refers to cheered by the troops following the
to Wallingford on December 25th. a desperate or unlikely undertaking, successful siege. Hamilton reported
Imagine the welcome he received on especially one that is expected to fail. to Lafayette in a letter that Mansfield
that Christmas Day—home from war . . often as the first wave of a military deserved particular recognition for his
and ready to step back into his role as assault. These soldiers were consid- “coolness, firmness, and punctuality.”
father and husband. But his wife must ered to be facing almost certain death
have been disappointed when her or failure.”] The capture of redoubt #9 and #10 led
husband was soon called back in Janu- directly to the surrender of Cornwal-
ary 1777. Ultimately, his military com- Captain John Mansfield was the first lis at Yorktown, and the subsequent
mitment spanned eight years during to volunteer and on October 14, 1781, American victory.
which he participated in numerous in the dark of midnight, led the 4th
battles including under Lafayette. Connecticut charge up redoubt #10. Years later in 1906, Wallingford judge,
Over the winter of 1780-1781 his reg- Wounded by an enemy bayonet, and L. M. Hubbard, spoke to the Ameri-
iment wintered at Camp Connecticut under heavy fire, he and the others can Sons of Liberty about Mansfield’s
Village opposite West Point and orga- heroism: “amid the rain of bullets and
nized for the forthcoming encounter belching flame, and horrible slaugh-
at Yorktown while enduring bitterly tering, and every barbarity possible,
cold conditions. Wallingford’s own John Mansfield led
his self-doomed companions to victo-
Mansfield’s service throughout the ry, capturing the British redoubt.”
War was outstanding and for which
he received much acclaim, but his Postwar Life in Wallingford
performance at Yorktown really ce- Upon returning home for good, John
mented his reputation and place in Mansfield resumed his life on North
history. Having been promoted twice Main Street in the Dutch Colonial
in one month to Captain by 1781, house with his family. Details about
Mansfield was assigned to the Light his personal life are scarce, and there
Infantry under General Lafayette. In are some contradictions. But it ap-
October 1781, preparing for the Battle pears Mansfield was married to three
of Yorktown, Lieutenant Colonel Al- Wallingford women in the following
exander Hamilton and General Lafay- order: Sybil Sexton; Esther Lewis; and
ette planned a siege on two redoubts Eunice Cook. He had four children:
(small forts), #9 and #10, in order to Abel, Calvin, Ira, and Sybil. By 1800 he
get closer to the British troops per was probably married to Eunice with
Washington’s orders. Lafayette called daughter Sybil at home. John kept
A re-enactor wearing
for 20 volunteers to lead a “forlorn Connecticut uniform of Lafayette's busy working his farmland and con-
regimental uniform light infantry
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