Battle of Stony Point
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"Mad Anthony" Wayne at the Battle of Stony PointStony Point, CAPTURE OF. The unfinished fort at Stony Point at the King's Ferry, on the Hudson, was seized by the British on May 30, 1779. The fort stood upon a rocky promontory, connected with the mainland by a tide-submerged cause-way across a narrow marsh—an island at high-water. It was garrisoned by a regiment of foot, some grenadiers, and artillery, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson. General "Mad Anthony" Wayne undertook to take the fort by storm; and at the same time a force under General Robert Howe was to attack the fort at Verplanck's Point. Several small British vessels of war were anchored in the river, within cannon-range of the forts. The latter had been enlarged and strengthened. Upon a complete surprise of the garrison depended the success of the undertaking. With the Massachusetts light infantry, Wayne marched through defiles in the mountains, and rendezvoused, at 8 P.M., a mile and a half from the fort. Silently they had gained the spot, killing every dog on the way. At midnight they moved on the fort. A portion of the troops crossed the causeway, and formed in two columns, the van of the right, consisting of 150 volunteers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel De Fleury; that of the left, 100 strong, also volunteers, commanded by Major Stewart. These composed the forlorn hope. They moved to the attack at two different points simultaneously, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, followed by the two main divisions, the left led by General Wayne in person.
Original Map of the Battle of Stony Point |
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