The time was nearing 8 p.m. when the leading elements reached the staging area — the clear fields around David Springsteel’s farm, a mile and a half west of Stony Point. Stony Point was a natural fortress and with these trustworthy troops improving their position on a daily basis, Clinton had no fear for the post’s safety. Farewell to you; clear the coast for ‘Mad Anthony’s friend.’ This one stuck and into the history books went the name of Mad Anthony Wayne. Divisions of the American Battlefield Trust: The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The troops totaled about 525; with them were nearly seventy women and children. As an added spur, the Americans had been busy strengthening both posts: There was a finished strongpoint called Fort Lafayette at Verplancks, and working parties were putting the last touches on a log blockhouse atop Stony Point. But their plans to score a second victory were dashed when Sir Henry Clinton sent Brig. The Battle of Stony Point on the night of July 16, 1779 was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. As American soldiers began to fall, the disciplined men closed their ranks and continued to push forward. Changes were made and a plan was formed. After a morning muster, on July 15, the Corps of Light Infantry marched from Sandy Beach north of Fort Montgomery beginning at noon. The Stony Point Battlefield is currently maintained as a New York State Park. Wayne’s reputation had taken a hit after forces under his command were surprised at Paoli in October 1777, resulting in heavy losses and the lore that the British had bayoneted Americans against screams for mercy and quarter. All we can do is to lament what we cannot remedy. The men under Febiger were instructed to unload their muskets. Wayne quickly jotted a letter to Washington: “The fort and garrison with Col. Johnston are ours. General Clinton settled upon the capture of the important posts of Stony and Verplank Points. He was a man of ambition and passion, and his adversaries were equally divided between the British and the petty forces of the new Continental government. It was there Clinton assumed Washington would be waiting, and where the British commander could hopefully lure him down into battle. Washington’s own headquarters were first at Smith’s Clove and then at New Windsor. Baron von Steuben, the colorful drillmaster of Valley Forge fame, assisted in the critical instruction. Our officers & men behaved like men who are determined to be free. 4. North of Stony Point lay the HMS Vulture, supported by a gunboat south of the point.3, While the enemy fortified, Washington sent Captain Allan McLane of Delaware as a spy to gather intelligence; Washington also personally surveyed the fort with Brigadier General Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania. George Washington to Henry Lee, June 6, 1779, Founders Online, National Archives. When force of reason gave way to force of arms, Wayne received command of the 4th Battalion of the Pennsylvania Line as a colonel in the Continental Army. Roberts finally worked his way down to the southern side, intending to wade the bay to hide in the country below, but hearing Vulture fire a gun, he swam to the sloop where he was taken aboard. That was June 1777 in the short hills of New Jersey, but ultimately the American commander did not take the bait, and the British quit the state for the open sea. Wayne also believed deeply (and made himself a regular nuisance on the matter) that soldiers had to look like soldiers. This column, led by Wayne, would wade through the river and climb the hill from the south. Mercury One is a trusted 501(c)(3) non-profitEIN no. On the afternoon of July 15, 1779, Wayne’s force moved into position just a mile from Stony Point. 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