Overview
The Hudson Highlands played an important role in the American Revolution. Control of the Hudson Highlands prevented the British from severing New England from the southern colonies. Here are some of the most important events that took place there:
- Battle of Fort Montgomery: On October 6, 1777, British troops launched a surprise attack on Fort Montgomery, located on the west bank of the Hudson River. The American defenders were outnumbered and outgunned, and the fort fell after a fierce battle.
- Battle of Stony Point: On July 16, 1779, American troops led by General Anthony Wayne launched a surprise attack on British-held Stony Point, a rocky promontory on the Hudson River. The Americans used bayonets and hand-to-hand combat to overcome the British defenses and capture the fort.
- Washington’s Headquarters: During the winter of 1779-80, General George Washington established his headquarters at the Hasbrouck House in Newburgh, NY. This was a critical time for the Continental Army, as they were low on supplies and morale was low. While in Newburgh, Washington worked to keep his troops motivated and to plan his next moves.
- West Point: The United States Military Academy at West Point was founded in 1802, but during the Revolutionary War, it was an important strategic location. The fortifications at West Point were designed to control the Hudson River and prevent British ships from sailing upriver. Benedict Arnold, who was later revealed to be a traitor, was the commandant at West Point in 1780.
These events, among others, helped to shape the course of the Revolutionary War and cemented the importance of the Hudson Highlands in American history.
British Capture of Forts Montgomery and Clinton on October 6, 1777
Secondary Sources
Carr, William H., and Richard J. Koke. “Twin Forts of the Popolopen – Forts Clinton and Montgomer, New York, 1775-1777.” Bear Mountain Trailside Museums 1, no. Republished October 2006 (July 1937).
Mills, Louis V. The March of the New Windsor Militia to the Defense of Fort Montgomery October 6,1777. First. Fort Montgomery Battle Site: Published in conjunction with the 225th anniversary of the battle, 2002.
Maps
Rebel Capture of Stony Point July 16, 1779
Secondary Sources
Johnston, Henry P. The Storming of Stony Point on the Hudson, Midnight, July 15, 1779. Reprint of 1900 version. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971.
Maps
Rebel Fortifications at West Point
Secondary Sources
Palmer, Dave Richard. The River and the Rock: The History of Fortress West Point, 1775-1783. West Point, N.Y.: Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy with Hippocrene Books, 1991.
Rogers, Clifford J., Ty Seidule, Samuel J. Watson, and United States Military Academy, eds. The West Point History of the American Revolution. First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition. The West Point History of Warfare Series, v. 4. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2017.
West Point Revolutionary Sites
Stone walls of Redoubt 4
Stony Point Battlefield
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