Intrigue at King’s Ferry

Intrigue at King’s Ferry. . Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail , , The crucial King’s Ferry crossing between Stony Point and Verplanck was guarded on both sides of the river by small American garrisons for most of the Revolutionary War. Military passes were required for using the ferry., In 1780 American Major General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre conspired to deliver the plans of West Point to the British. Arnold offered to hand over the fortress in exchange for money and an independent command in the British Army., Having met with Arnold near Haverstraw in the early morning of September 22nd, Andre crossed at King’s Ferry in the evening in a futile attempt to return to British lines. Arnold escaped when the plot was discovered. Andre was captured the morning of September 23rd carrying incriminating information and taken to Tappan, where he was tried by court-martial and executed as a spy on October 2nd., ”His Majesty’s troops have taken possession of it, and are also fortifying the strong post of Stoney-point, by which we are masters of King’s ferry, and oblige the rebels to make a detour of ninety miles across the mountains to communicate with the country east of Hudson’s river.” Sir George Collier, Commodore of the British Royal Navy, after the British captured King’s Ferry in July 1779. (The Americans retook the location four months later.)