CAPTURE OF NEW LONDON.

IMMEDIATELY after General Arnold had returned from his infamous expedition into Virginia, he was despatched by Sir Henry Clinton on an expedition against New London, Connecticut. After taking undisputed possession of Fort Trumbull, he advanced against Fort Griswold, and summoned the garrison to surrender. Colonel Ledyard, the commandant, replied that he would defend the place to the last. He had with him but one hundred and sixty men, and the works were but moderately strong.

The British moved to the attack in three columns, and were received by a steady fire from the garrison. As they neared the fort, the quick wide gaps in their ranks showed that death was stalking with rapid strides among them; but, hurried on by the daring Arnold, they bared their bosoms to the sweeping fire, and at length gained the works. Then a momentary struggle ensued, and the silence told that our troops had surrendered. Leaping over a parapet, a British officer asked who commanded. Colonel Ledyard appeared, and presented his sword. It was taken, and with savage malignity plunged into the patriot's breast. Then commenced a scene fit only for British warfare in America. Imitating the infamous example of their leader, the troops rushed among the unarmed garrison, hacking and bayoneting all that came in their way, and flinging all honour or humanity to the wind. Again the savage war-cry went up, while, mingling with it in sickening accents, was the wail of innocence, the unavailing prayer for mercy. Still the awful work went on; son and brother and bosom companion were butchered together, until piles of corpses were packed along the walls, and the ground ran deep with human gore. But forty remained uninjured.

In the assault the enemy lost forty-three killed, and one hundred and forty-five wounded. Colonel Ayre, the commandant, was killed, and Colonel Montgomery wounded.

After this proceeding, Arnold resumed his march toward New London. After plundering it of everything which his troops could carry, he set the town on fire, and retired to a neighbouring hill to watch the conflagration. Here, amid scenes which should have melted his heart-amid the rocks, and streams, and woods of his childhood - he stood like a demon, glutting his appetite for destruction. Gradually house after house sunk among the smouldering flames, and the fortunes of their owners were ruined. Besides the buildings, an immense amount of moveable property was included in the conflagration. The surrounding country was then ravaged; and, after doing as much mischief as possible, Arnold returned to New York.