Meig’s Expedition

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed overview of the history and significance of Meigs’s expedition—also known as the Meigs Raid or the Battle of Sag Harbor:

⚔️ Background & Motivation

  • In April 1777, British forces under General Tryon raided Danbury, Connecticut, destroying Continental Army supplies and inciting outrage among Patriot forces

  • Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons organized a counter-raid once intelligence revealed British loyalists were foraging in Sag Harbor, Long Island

Forces & Leadership

  • The expedition consisted of about 230–234 Continental soldiers, led by Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs

  • They crossed Long Island Sound from Guilford, Connecticut, on May 23, 1777, using whaleboats and transporting them across Long Island’s North Fork

Raid Execution – May 24, 1777

  • Before dawn on May 24, Meigs and roughly 130 men attacked Sag Harbor.

  • Using stealth and bayonets instead of gunfire, they captured the British garrison at Burial Hill on Meeting House Hill: 6 British were killed and around 54 captured

  • Meanwhile, another group attacked the harbor directly, sinking or burning 12 British sloops laden with forage, hay, rum, grain, and other supplies, and captured an additional 37 prisoners

Outcome & Significance

  • Total British casualties: 6 killed, 90 captured, and 12 boats destroyed.

  • Remarkably, the Americans suffered no casualties

  • The raid was a major Patriot victory—one of few across Long Island during British occupation—from May 23–24, 1777

Recognition & Legacy

  • Congress commended Meigs for his “Prudence, Activity, Enterprise and Valor,” awarding him a presentation sword

  • The raid significantly boosted morale among Long Island Patriots and became a celebrated memory, with markers erected at Guilford, Southold, and Sag Harbor

  • It’s historically noted as the first Patriot victory in New York following British gains after intense campaigns in 1776

Summary Timeline

  1. April 1777: British raid Danbury 🇬🇧 → sparks Patriot resolve

  2. May 23, 1777: Meigs leads ~234 troops across Long Island Sound

  3. May 24, 1777: Early morning raids capture British soldiers and destroy supplies

  4. Casualties: British – 6 dead, 90 captured, 12 boats lost. Americans – none

  5. Aftermath: Recognition by Congress, local historical commemoration

This daring and efficient strike exemplifies targeted Continental raids using stealth, surprise, and coordination—and highlights Colonel Meigs’s leadership. Let me know if you'd like to explore specific aspects in more detail!

Dino DiPietro