Highland in Sullivan County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hospital Rock
Revolutionary War Heritage Trail
Hospital Rock is the most historically significant place on the battleground. Once Brant’s men broke the Americans’ defensive square late in the afternoon, it was in the shadow of this rock that Lt. Col. Benjamin Tusten, a physician from Goshen, and seventeen wounded militiamen under his care, were trapped and killed by Brant’s Iroquois Native Americans and Tories. After the battle, Brant recrossed the Delaware River and proceeded to Oquaga. The militiamen who escaped the fate of Tusten made their way back to their homes.
Colonel Hathorn wrote of the end:
“The enemy who formed their whole strength and forced the North East part of our Lines . . . our people, not being able to support the lines retreating down the hill precipitously towards the river . . . The people this time were so scattered I found myself unequal to Rally them again, consequently every Man made a Choice of his own Way.”
Joseph Brant reported that he:
“ . . . pursued them, until they stopt upon a Rocky Hill, round which we were employed and very busy, near four hours before we cou’d drive them out. We have taken 40 odd scalps, and one Prisoner, a Captain. I suppose the Enemy have lost nearly half of their men and most of their Officers; they all belonged to the Militia & were about 150 in number.”
Erected by New York State.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 41° 29.34′ N, 74° 58.212′ W. Marker is in Highland, New York, in Sullivan County. Marker can be reached from Minisink Battle Ground Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in Minisink Battleground Park, along the Battleground Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barryville NY 12719, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Minisink Battle Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes (within shouting distance of this marker); Last Stand On The Rocky Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Minisink Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Rock (about 700 feet away); The Battle at Minisink (about 700 feet away); Minisink Battleground Park (about 700 feet away); Brant’s Crossing (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highland.
More about this marker. Two pictures appear on the marker. One depicts Lt. Col. Benjamin Tusten tending to a wounded militiaman, and the other shows the Americans fending off Brant’s attacking men.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Follow the markers along the Battleground Trail in Minisink Battleground Park.
Also see . . . The Battle of Minisink. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,433 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2022, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York. 4. submitted on December 22, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9. submitted on June 25, 2022, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York. 10. submitted on December 26, 2021, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York.