The Female Paul Revere

The midnight ride of Paul Revere is a famous American legend. We know that Revere rode through the streets of Boston to warn militiamen that the British troops were coming. But very few of us have ever heard of Sybil Ludington's ride.

On April 26, 1777, sixteen year-old Sybil Ludington rode through the night. She alerted her neighbors and the local militia troops that the British were burning the city of Danbury. A British force of 2,000 men under General Tryon had landed in Connecticut. They marched west to Danbury, searching for Continental Army supplies. When British troop discipline broke down, the soldiers began to burn the city's buildings. A Continental messenger rode from Danbury to inform Colonel Ludington of the British attack on Danbury.

Colonel Henry Ludington was commander of the 7th Regiment of the Duchess County Militia. When the messenger arrived at his home, Colonel Ludington began to organize his group of 400 militiamen. But exhausted and unfamiliar with the area, the Continental messenger could provide him little help.

Sybil was the oldest of Colonel Ludington's twelve children. Armed with her father's musket, Sybil set out on horseback to sound the alert. She had to beware of British soldiers, British Loyalists and outlaws. Sybil knocked on doors to spread the message. Her father's men were to meet at daybreak. Village church bells rang out.

Prodding her horse with a stick, Sybil traveled 40 miles from home. When she returned at dawn, she was soaked with rain and exhausted. Thanks to young Sybil's bravery and patriotism, the regiment was mustered before dawn.









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