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Fort Montgomery
is a small hamlet located in the Town of Highlands. Population
is 1418.
A rural area located on
the Hudson River, areas are still
mountainous and "country." Many people journeyed here from New York and other
areas to spend the summer. They stayed in tent communities and later built
summer bungalows. Some of these families became permanent residents.
The area is
noteworthy for the Revolutionary Battle which took place there in 1777... Click to see a map of the Highlands campaign Oct. 1777
We should all realize, especially our school children, that we are a nation
of inventors. Energetic and thoughtful individuals are always coming up with
new and better ideas on how to make our lives more productive and forward
moving. One of the greatest inventions of all times was the new republic
itself. Tired of being ruled by a King in another country, colonists created
a new pattern for independence and the great American spirit was born. It
reads like a fairy tale: Once upon a time in the 1700's, a new world was
being formed. It started in England
and reached across the ocean to the young American colonies. It went right up
the Hudson River from New York
and by 1777 landed right here in the Hudson Highlands.
The king considered the unruly Americans as wayward children who needed to be
chastised. The British had a well-formed and trained military and were very
confident of their views of success. However, so far, their strategy wasn't
working. The wayward children were growing up and using those creative minds
on their own.
All of these facts
set the stage for the revolutionary events which occurred right at our own
doorsteps, here in the Hudson
Valley. The Hudson River has always been an important waterway. It
was literally the gateway to the New England
colonies. The British wanted to separate the colonies and break this growing
spirit of independence. In order to protect this gateway and stop the British
plans, several forts were built in the Highlands, Forts Constitution, Montgomery and Clinton.
The British planned what is referred to as a "three-prong" attack.
Gen. Burgoyne was to advance down the Hudson, Barry St. Leger to come over
through the Mohawk Valley and
Gen. Howe up from New York. The first
two generals proceeded as planned. Howe journeyed to Philadelphia, the seat of government and
see what damage he could do there.
While all this was taking place, we were not idle. Gen. Washington placed Generals George and
James Clinton in charge of the Forts Montgomery and Clinton and they prepared
these areas for the battle that was sure to take place. A mighty chain was
placed in the river near the Forts to attempt to stop the British ships from
advancing. Two American frigates, the Congress and Montgomery, along with two
row galleys and a sloop were all in readiness to protect the two Forts.
On October 5, 1777 yet another Clinton, on the
British side, Sir Henry, sailed up the Hudson River towards Peekskill. Making an elaborate ruse to fool
Gen. Putnam, they landed some troops at Verplanck's Point, about 6 miles
below Peekskill.
However, on October 6th, in the dense early morning fog, a large portion of
the enemy crossed over to the west shore. Lt. Col. Mungo Campbell led the
advance assisted by Beverly Robinson, an area resident who knew the
mountainous terrain. A second division was led by Major Gen. John Vaughn. Campbell proceeded
through the "Thunder Hill" pass to Doodletown. He was to continue
on this route to attack Fort
Montgomery from the
rear. Vaughn proceeded to await the signal to attack Fort Clinton.
The Americans had sent out a party of men to check on the enemies movements
and they brought word back that the enemy was approaching. Gen. Clinton made
preparations to resist by placing strategic cannon and men to stop the
advance. He had hoped Gen. Putnam would send reinforcements but Putnam
thought the British were attacking him and the supplies he held; therefore,
he remained on the Peekskill
side.
Slowly marched the
near 3000 British to attack the Americans numbering only about 600, in both
Forts.
The attack began with the British moving forward and the Americans defending.
For three hours this courageous defense took place in spite of the overwhelming
British forces. A steady bombardment from the British ships pounded the Fort
and the American ships. What a scene of chaos taking place in Forts
Montgomery and Clinton. Right in our own back yards!
At around 5 o'clock, Col. Campbell went with a flag of truce to Fort Montgomery.
He was met by Lt. Col. William S. Livingston. Campbell requested the Fort be surrendered
in five minutes to avoid further bloodshed. Livingston
in turn said –rather -if the British wished to surrender, they would be
treated fairly. However, it was the Americans intent to continue to defend
the Fort. Shortly after this conference, the British started a concentrated
attack. Campbell, leading this assault on Fort Montgomery
was immediately killed.
The British charge was
overwhelming and final. The Americans resisted but were unable to defend
every point of the large, under-manned and under-constructed Fort Montgomery.
A similar attack took place at Fort
Clinton, overwhelming
the troops there. As dusk fell, the Americans that were left managed to
struggle out of the twin forts and make their way over the mountain.
Approximately 263 Americans were taken prisoner with 26 officers. Gen George
Clinton made it safely across the river and his brother, James also escaped
after being wounded. The ships in the river had been set on fire to avoid
capture by the British. As darkness overcame the Fort, the British Gen. Henry
Clinton was assured of his success.
This very important battle, although lost by the most courageous Americans
- some of them local residents - held the British troops from
advancing up river to reinforce Gen. Burgoyne. This lack of reinforcements
led to the eventual defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga and the final end of the war. The
battles of the Twin Forts, Montgomery and Clinton were essential in causing
the defeat of the British plan in the Hudson Highlands. The Americans stood
their ground, fought courageously and only left when ordered, to fight
another day. We should all be extremely proud of the men who fought and died
there for our American freedom this historic day of October 6, 1777.
Fort Montgomery was named for Gen. Richard
Montgomery who died at the Battle of Quebec in 1775. Fort Clinton
was named for Gen. James Clinton. Gen. George Clinton became the First
Governor of New York and served for a total of 21 years. He was also the
Fourth Vice-President of the United
States. This patriotic spirit continues in
a direct descendant of George Clinton, Barbara Brinkley who
spearheaded the drive to re-name the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.
On May 4, 2000 at a heartwarming ceremony, the bridge was officially
named the "George Clinton-Kingston-
Rhinecliff Bridge."
For over
200 years the Fort Montgomery Battle Site has lain quiet and overgrown. No
homage has been paid to the men who fought and died there. Each year on the
anniversary of the battle, The Town of Highlands Historical Society would
remind the public of the events that took place on October 6th, 1777 by
sponsoring a tour and placing a tribute in the newspaper.
In 1997 The
Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association was chartered by New York State
to further a plan to preserve and promote this historic site. Archeological
studies were carried out in the 1970's by the Palisades Interstate Park
Commission, uncovering numerous artifacts currently being inventoried by the
State Office of Historic Preservation.
Governor Pataki showed his
great concern for this Historic Site by allocating funds to carry on the work
of restoration. In 2001 he presided at a preliminary ribbon-cutting
ceremony, opening up the trails around the Fort. In 2002, the 225th
anniversary of the battle the Governor presided at the Grand Opening of the
site to the Public.
working in conjunction
with the palisades interstate commission and the hudson river national
heritage area, On October 1 of 2011,
the FMBSA will commemorate the 234th anniversary of the 1777
revolutionary battle. there will be day-long events followed by a
re-enactment of the battle. this will feature several re-enactment groups and
visitors are allowed to follow along as well.
in addition to all this
great planned activity, the site museum and media room will be open as well as
the bookstore full of great items. entrance is free of charge !
for further
information contact stella bailey, executive director At 845-446-0400 or site
manager, grant miller at 845-446-2134. write to fmbsa, box 376, fort
Montgomery, ny 10922
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