Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

American River Defense

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

1. American River Defense Marker

Inscription. Standing here in the summer of 1777, with you back to the invading Crown Forces, you would have seen the eastern leg of the American fortifications which surrounded Bemis Heights. The white stakes across the ravine mark the southern end of these log-and-earth defenses.

The modern highway on your left follows the traces of the old wagon road to Albany, route of the Crown Forces seeking to push southward. However, American cannon, skillfully positioned behind fortifications atop the bluff where you now stand commanded the Albany Road. Batteries on the flats below blocked use of the river. Red dash-line diagrams on the map show the range of typical cannons.

Erected by Saratoga National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 42° 58.802′ N, 73° 37.719′ W. Marker is in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker is on Park Tour Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Saratoga National Historical Park along a walking trail at the American River Fortifications stop. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Thaddeus Kosciusko (here, next to this marker); Redoubt (a few steps from this marker); Patriots’ Eye-View (a few steps from this marker); American River Fortifications (a few steps from this marker); Fortifying The High Ground (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Questions of Loyalty (about 700 feet away); Anchor of the American Line (about 700 feet away); North Redan (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.

More about this marker. The left of the marker contains a map of the fortifications, indicating the range of their artillery.

Also see . . .
1. Saratoga National Historical Park. National Park Service website entry. (Submitted on September 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga Chamber of Commerce website entry; 07/16/2021 LPG. (Submitted on September 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Markers on the Saratoga Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

2. Markers on the Saratoga Battlefield

Artillery at the American River Defense image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

3. Artillery at the American River Defense

The artillery at this fortification controlled the road to Albany below, preventing the British from using it. This cannon is located near the marker. The blue-topped poles indicate the war-time location of the redoubt.

American River Defense Map from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

4. American River Defense Map from Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,180 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.