Details
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, TO BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY KNOX (1750-1806), text of the letter in the hand of aide-de-camp James McHenry, [Headquarters, Morristown, N.J.], 4 June 1779. 1 full page, 4to, tipped to a protective sheet, even age-toning to sheet.
A MONTH BEFORE WAYNE'S TRIUMPH AT STONY POINT, WASHINGTON ALERTS KNOX OF THE BRITISH THREAT TO THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS
Throughout the hard winter encampment of 1779, Washington had been extremely apprehensive that Sir Henry Clinton would move against the American lines at West Point and the Hudson Highlands, and he had posted strong defensive units to oppose such a thrust. In late May Clinton sent a strong force of regulars up the Hudson by warship. Disembarking on both sides of the river at one of the key ferry points, they seized Verplank's point, forced the surrender of its fort and small garrison and on June 31 took the unfinished fortifications on the opposite side of the river at Stony Point without opposition. "Stony Point and the opposite headland formed the gateway to the Hudson. Their possession by the enemy menaced West Point [and] effectively commanded King's Ferry, a link in the principal highway from the New England states to the south" (C. Ward, The War of the Revolution, 2:597). Here, only four days after the event, Washington informs his trusted lieutenant, Henry Knox, and requests additional ammunition for his undersupplied forces.
He writes: "On the 2nd instant a part of the enemy possessed themselves of the fort on Verplank's Point, by capitulation. They are now throwing up some works on the point on this side [at Stony Point, New York]. It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the [Hudson] highlands. The militia are calling out for ammunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is far from being sufficient. I would therefore wish you to send on careful and active conductors to hasten forward to the army, a competent supply, from the nearest magazines."
The British rapidly erected elaborate fortifications at Stony Point, making use of tidal marshes which cut the fort off at high tide from the mainland, and Clinton posted a strong garrison there. At the end of June, though fearful the post was too strong to be taken by assault, Washington detailed General Anthony Wayne and his Light Infantry, all experienced veterans, to seize it in a bold surprise attack. In a daring, carefully executed night attack on 16 July, Wayne and his men re-took the fort and forced the surrender of its garrison, "a signal achievement, ably planned and gallantly executed" (Ward, 2:603).
Published in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 15:227.
A MONTH BEFORE WAYNE'S TRIUMPH AT STONY POINT, WASHINGTON ALERTS KNOX OF THE BRITISH THREAT TO THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS
Throughout the hard winter encampment of 1779, Washington had been extremely apprehensive that Sir Henry Clinton would move against the American lines at West Point and the Hudson Highlands, and he had posted strong defensive units to oppose such a thrust. In late May Clinton sent a strong force of regulars up the Hudson by warship. Disembarking on both sides of the river at one of the key ferry points, they seized Verplank's point, forced the surrender of its fort and small garrison and on June 31 took the unfinished fortifications on the opposite side of the river at Stony Point without opposition. "Stony Point and the opposite headland formed the gateway to the Hudson. Their possession by the enemy menaced West Point [and] effectively commanded King's Ferry, a link in the principal highway from the New England states to the south" (C. Ward, The War of the Revolution, 2:597). Here, only four days after the event, Washington informs his trusted lieutenant, Henry Knox, and requests additional ammunition for his undersupplied forces.
He writes: "On the 2nd instant a part of the enemy possessed themselves of the fort on Verplank's Point, by capitulation. They are now throwing up some works on the point on this side [at Stony Point, New York]. It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the [Hudson] highlands. The militia are calling out for ammunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is far from being sufficient. I would therefore wish you to send on careful and active conductors to hasten forward to the army, a competent supply, from the nearest magazines."
The British rapidly erected elaborate fortifications at Stony Point, making use of tidal marshes which cut the fort off at high tide from the mainland, and Clinton posted a strong garrison there. At the end of June, though fearful the post was too strong to be taken by assault, Washington detailed General Anthony Wayne and his Light Infantry, all experienced veterans, to seize it in a bold surprise attack. In a daring, carefully executed night attack on 16 July, Wayne and his men re-took the fort and forced the surrender of its garrison, "a signal achievement, ably planned and gallantly executed" (Ward, 2:603).
Published in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 15:227.