Stony Point in Rockland County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Opportunities Missed and Taken
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
1. Opportunities Missed and Taken Marker
“I was surprised when I viewed in the morning the difficulties our troops surmounted,” wrote Captain Champion.
“This piece of ground was fortified by all British art and industry ….” However, a night attack had undermined the effectiveness of most of these defenses, and high winds had prevented the British navy from coming to the aid of the embattled redcoats, Lightballs, or flares, had been prepared, and a signal rocket was on hand to call for reinforcements from the British garrison at Verplanck’s Point on the other side of the Hudson; however, in the confusion of battle, they were never used.
The British had underestimated their enemy, whose, abilities as professional soldiers had improved with each campaign. The Continental Army had carried out a well-coordinated night attack, assaulting a heavily fortified position. Except for the diversionary center column, they were armed only with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets – ironically, just as the British had been when they attacked General Wayne’s forces nearly two years earlier at Paoli, Pennsylvania, on the night of September 21, 1777.
Erected by Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 41° 14.488′ N, 73° 58.338′ W. Marker is in Stony Point, New York, in Rockland County. Marker can be reached from Stony Point Park Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the walking trail at the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stony Point NY 10980, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “The fort and garrison, with Col. Johnson, are ours.” (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle’s Aftermath (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lighthouse at Stony Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Commerce and the Hudson River (within shouting distance of this marker); “… with the greatest Intrepidity and coolness.” (within shouting distance of this marker); “For God’s sake, why is the Artillery here not being made use of?” (within shouting distance of this marker); Stony Point Battlefield Today (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); “… the enemy entered the upper work at the barrier at the same time I did.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 26, 2014
2. British Artillery Crew at the Marker
More about this marker. The upper left of the marker features an “Illustration of Light Infantry Company, 4th Massachusetts Regiment, Continental Line, 1781-82, by H. Charles McBarron, Jr. Reproduced courtesy of the Company of Military Historians.” At the bottom of the marker is a “Portrait of Henry Champion by Simon Fitch, 1798. Reproduced courtesy of Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut; gift in memory of Richard Huntington Cole and Alice G. Eno by their daughter Mrs. Charles H. Anthony.” There is also a map of the walking tour of the Stony Point Battlefield at the lower left of the marker.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This series of markers follow the walking tour of the Stony Point Battlefield.
Also see . . .
1. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Stoney (sic) Point. American Revolution War website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
3. Marker on the Stony Point Battlefield
Marker is the tenth on the walking tour of the Stony Point Battlefield.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2019
4. Opportunities Missed and Taken Marker
A British encampment can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
5. Stony Point Marker
This view of the marker looks toward the north side of the Stony Point peninsula.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
6. Map of Stony Point Battlefield Walking Tour
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
7. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Park
This park preserves the site of one of the last major Revolutionary War battles fought in the northeastern colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 838 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on August 12, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on July 19, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
