Stony Point in Rockland County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The American Strategy
By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
1. The American Strategy Marker
Apprised of the formidable British defenses at Stony Point by Captain Allan McLane, and American officer who had gained entrance to the enemy fort, General Washington determined that a frontal attack in daylight would most likely fail. Consequently, a night assault, to be led by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania, was planned.
Wayne commanded the Corps of Light Infantry, a select force which probed enemy lines, fought skirmishes, and executed difficult missions. Two columns – a total of 1150 men – would comprise the Continental force. The main assault group of 700 men, commanded personally by General Wayne, would wade through the waters on the southern flank. At the same time, a smaller, secondary column would approach from the north. To eliminate the possibility of accidental gunfire and preserve the key element of surprise, both columns were armed with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. In the center of the peninsula, two companies of North Carolina troops, commanded by Major Hardy Murfree, would fire volleys to distract the British and divert the fort’s defenders. An additional force of 300 men, under General
By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
2. Marker on the Stony Point Battlefield
Marker is the third on the walking tour of the Stony Point Battlefield.
Erected by Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site.
Location. 41° 14.494′ N, 73° 58.498′ 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. Touch for map. The marker is found in the British camp located near the Stony Point Museum. Marker is in this post office area: Stony Point NY 10980, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 17th British Regiment of Foot (here, next to this marker); Stony Point Battlefield (here, next to this marker); "I … imagined them to be British Troops, but found my mistake by being wounded and taken prisoner." (a few steps from this marker); British Defenses: The Outer Works (a few steps from this marker); Capture of Stony Point (within shouting distance of this marker); The British Occupy Stony Point (within shouting distance of this marker); “By the light occasioned by the flash of the gun I could perceive a body of them...”
By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
3. Blacksmith at the British Camp
The marker can be seen in this photo to the left of the blacksmith in the British camp set up on the Stony Point Battlefield.
More about this marker. The upper left of the marker features an 18-century map of Stony Point Battlefield by British Lt. William Marshall 63rd Regiment of Foot with directional arrows added to indicate approximate lines of attack. Map reproduced courtesy of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Below this is a “Portrait of Brigadier General Anthony Wayne by Edward Savage painted in 1795. Reproduced courtesy of The New York Historical Society, New York City.” The lower left of the marker contains a map of the walking tour of the Stony Point Battlefield.
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. (Submitted on September 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Stoney Point. Account of the battle from the American Revolution War website. (Submitted on September 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
4. Map of Stony Point Battlefield Walking Tour
Categories. • Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary •
By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2008
5. 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 June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.
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