Today marks an important moment during the American Revolution.
“The fort and garrison, with Colonel Johnson, are ours. Our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free.” ~ American General Anthony Wayne to Washington
The Battle of Stony Point took place on the evening of July 16, 1779 at a fortified British outpost on the banks of the vital Hudson River. The fighting was part of both British and American efforts to maneuver around New York City, and occupy a favorable position on the river, and in the highlands surrounding it.
Not a fort in the truest sense of the word, the British encampment about 30 miles north of New York City was a series of earthworks, with mounted cannon emplacements fronted by abatis and forested scruff. The terrain was rough, hilly, and strewn with rocks. There was significant weakness, however: inadequate defenses near the base of the fortification along the shoreline of the Hudson River. This allowed American troops to deploy effectively in two lines: one sweeping up the northern slope of the fort while the other stormed the southern face of the prominence.
In May of 1779, the British launched a raid north along the Hudson River and captured the strategic location known as Stony Point. This fortification was critical to controlling the Hudson Highlands and Washington decided he could not leave it in British hands. Choosing from his commanders, Washington selected the daring and proven General Anthony Wayne, who commanded the Continental Corps of Light Infantry. These elite and swift moving soldiers would carry out the assault on Stony Point. The attack began just after midnight, with two columns of men moving around the flanks and one column moving against the British front as a diversion. With the exception of those engaging the British front, the men were instructed to keep their muskets unloaded and use bayonets only, as their objective was to keep the attention on themselves.
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| Following France’s entry into the Revolutionary War on the American side, the British were forced to change their strategy. They decided to hunker down around the New York City area, and from there launch small raids and expeditions with the purpose of drawing George Washington’s troops into a fight. Washington had positioned his troops in various locations around New York City but would not engage the British in a large and costly battle. |
The weather cooperated with the Americans, as clouds obscured the moonlight and shielded the Patriots from British sentries. When the British finally discovered the attack, the arrangement of their artillery proved disastrous: their guns could not be angled to effectively fire into the oncoming Americans. British troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Johnson were outnumbered two to one, and quickly overwhelmed.
The skillfully planned and risky assault was also the first time in American military history that “elite,” well-trained troops, many from the 1st Maryland Continental Line, were used.
The battle is especially famous as the place where Anthony Wayne earned the sobriquet “Mad” during the fighting. Early in the bold attack, the American brigadier general was grazed in the head by a musket ball. Wayne refused to be left behind and, brandishing his sword, he was carried into the fort as the Americans charged uphill.
The assault went exactly as planned with both columns storming over the British ramparts almost simultaneously. General Wayne was at the head of his men, and he was hit in the head during the fighting. The wound appeared to be fatal, but in reality, it was only a very painful graze wound. His head bleeding heavily, Wayne yelled out to his advancing troops, “Forward, my brave fellows, Forward!” and then called his aides to his side saying, “Carry me into the fort, if I am to die, I want to die at the head of the column.” Wayne would survive the battle and serve throughout the rest of the Revolutionary War and the Indian Wars of the Old Northwest. Overall, the assault was a major success, with Stony Point being taken in just 30 minutes. In addition, the fight proved to be one of the last major battles in the Northern Theater, and it was a major morale booster for American troops.
After Stony Point, the Americans secured West Point 12 miles upstream, giving them virtual control of the Hudson River Valley
SOURCES: History for Kids! | Learn Our History and Stony Point Battle Facts and Summary | American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org)
The Plain Truth has some fantastic and IMPORTANT commentary by Bob Barney with Biblically based Truths as to our TRUE IDENTITY as it relates to God’s intentional blessings on America. Check out the following postings from The Plain Truth:
Why America is So Special – The Plain Truth
What will finally overthrow America? This man knew – The Plain Truth