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Stony Point Battlefield
P.O. Box 182
Stony Point, NY 10980
(914) 786-2521
By 1779, the American Revolution had developed into
an expanded conflict. In addition to fighting the colonists, the British were also at war
with the French and the Spanish.
Sir Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, was ordered
"to bring Mr. Washington to a general and decisive action."
The British had captured the peninsula of Stony Point, 40 miles north of New York City in Rockland County, in May 1779, and began to erect an earthen fort. Washington was determined to prevent the British from remaining unopposed at Stony Point, and by early July had devised a plan calling for Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne to lead a surprise midnight assault against Stony Point. Commanding the Corps of Light Infantry, a select force which probed enemy lines, fought running skirmishes and defended the army against sudden attack, Wayne and his troops surprised the British on a dark and windy midnight in July 1779. The heaviest fighting lasted half an hour, and by 1 a.m. the garrison had surrendered. Fifteen Americans and 20 British were killed.
Washington abandoned Stony Point three days later because he knew it would not stand up against the British army and navy. With insufficient reinforcement, British forces were withdrawn from Stony Point in October and the British were never again a threat to the Hudson Highlands. The victory at Stony Point was the last major battle in the North.
On Jan. 14, 1899, Stony Point Battlefield was conveyed to New York State as a historic site. Early in his governorship, on April 12, 1900, Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill providing funds for the development and interpretation of this site. The importance of the battle and the heroism of Wayne were not lost on Roosevelt, who included the episode in his book, Hero Tales From American History, co-written with Henry Cabot Lodge.
Today, Stony Point Battlefield is open to the public as a New York State Historic Site and park.
A great place for a family outing, the battlefield features a museum that helps interpret the importance of the site and the battle. Guided tours and musket demonstrations are given daily during the operating season (April 15-Oct. 31).
