Built in 1778 on the island’s highest ground, Redoubt 7 blocked the western land approach to the Great Chain’s anchor on Constitution Island. In constructing the redoubt’s stone rampart, the Army used a large granite outcropping as part of the . . . — — Map (db m58771) HM
Constitution Island was the home of Susan and Anna Warner from 1836 – 1915. It was presented to the United States Military Academy by Miss Anna Warner and Mrs. Russell Sage. Marker erected in 1968 by the Constitution Island Association Gift of Mr. . . . — — Map (db m58775) HM
Fort Constitution, which would have enclosed this area, was intended to be the major fortification for the defense of the Hudson River. In January 1776, after three months of construction, work on the fort was halted, for the fort was considered to . . . — — Map (db m58763) HM
With its excellent field of fire, Gravel Hill Battery was the island’s key fortification against British ships. Constructed in the spring of 1776, after Fort Constitution’s inability to command the Hudson had become evident, it was destroyed during . . . — — Map (db m47502) HM
The Revolutionary Army fortified this hill in 1776 to provide more firepower down river and to maintain communication between Gravel Hill Battery to the east and the Fort Constitution area to the west. Hill Cliff Battery mounted from three to five . . . — — Map (db m58772) HM
Built in early 1776, Marine Battery was destroyed in October 1777. The following year the battery was partially reconstructed on the surviving rampart to protect the Great Chain, which was probably anchored in the cove below. This 10 foot thick . . . — — Map (db m58765) HM
During the period when Constitution Island supplemented the major West Point fortifications, the Continental Army sought to protect the Great Chain and river batteries from land attack. Placed on the highest ground of the then treeless island, . . . — — Map (db m58774) HM
Built in 1779, Redoubt 6 demonstrates the Army’s concern for fortifying the high ground. Necessary for its defense were approximately 115 infantrymen; no cannon were listed for this redoubt. The integrated West Point fortification system provided . . . — — Map (db m59889) HM
The defense of the Hudson River against British ships was an important task of the Revolutionary Army. The river’s sharp bend and strong currents at this point made Constitution Island well located for this purpose. Construction on Fort . . . — — Map (db m47501) HM
Intended as the west curtain of the never-completed Fort Constitution, “the . . . battery is a straight line constructed by Mr. Romans, at very great expense; it has fifteen embrasures, which face the river at a right angle, and can only annoy a . . . — — Map (db m58768) HM
In winter, when barracks were unavailable, soldiers were generally quartered in huts. Several hut sites remain on Constitution Island. In some the fireplace ruins are in line, while at others no pattern exists. Regiments normally built huts to . . . — — Map (db m58769) HM
Background The Americans and British both knew that passage on the Hudson River was strategically important. The Americans planned to block ship passage on the river and attack enemy ships with cannons and mortar located at defensive forts, and . . . — — Map (db m89095) HM
Constitution Island was purchased by Henry Whiting Warner, an attorney from New York City, who became interested in the island while visiting his brother, Thomas, who served as the Chaplain at West Point from 1823 until 1838. A thick stone . . . — — Map (db m89119) HM
