Battle of Stony Point

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Battle of Stony Point Part of the American Revolutionary War Capture of Stony Point by Wayne Date July 15, 1779 Location Stony Point, New York Result American victory Combatants United States British Commanders Anthony Wayne Henry Johnson Strength 1,350 700 Casualties 15 killed, 83 wounded 63 killed, 70 wounded, 543 prisoners

Northern theater after Saratoga, 1778–1781 Rhode Island – Wyoming Valley – Carleton's Raid – Cherry Valley – Stony Point – Minisink – Penobscot expedition – Sullivan expedition – Newtown – Springfield – Groton Heights

The Battle of Stony Point was a battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 2.1 State Historic Site 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Background

On July 15, 1779, General Anthony Wayne and his men attacked a British fortification located on the peninsula at Stony Point. The peninsula, situated on the west bank of the Hudson River about 10 miles (16 km) south of West Point and 35 miles (56 km) north of New York City, was the western terminus of the King's ferry.

[edit] Battle

Wayne, marching south from the West Point area, split his forces into three sections. The main attacks came from the north and south with a diversionary center skirmish. General Wayne commanded the soldiers to attack with weapons unloaded and fixed bayonets in order to prevent an untimely shot from destroying the element of surprise. His men wore pieces of white paper pinned to their hats so they could tell each other apart in the darkness. The lightly armed Americans forced the surprised British garrison to surrender in less than an hour.

A few days later, the Continentals, not having enough men to defend the new position, were forced to abandon the fort though capturing large amounts of stores, cannon, and winning a resounding political victory. The British reoccupied the post only to abandon it shortly thereafter as the Revolution transitioned to the southern colonies. For this exploit, General Wayne was awarded a medal by congress, one of the few issued during the Revolution.

Note: Anthony Wayne is often known by the sobriquet "Mad Anthony". There are several possible origins cited for the sobriquet, from a defaulter who was punished by Anthony claiming he had not done anything ("that Wayne was just mad"), to his well known quick temper, to a comparison to Marc Anthony (who is classical sources is referred to Cicero as "Mad Anthony"), to various rash acts he performed in battle.

[edit] State Historic Site

The Stony Point State Historic Site is located at the former battlefield and has interpretive materials, tours, and demonstrations, primarily during the summer season.

[edit] See also

• List of New York state parks.

[edit] External links

• NYS Stony Point webpage
• Battle information

New York in the American Revolutionary War

Pre-war: Sons of Liberty 1775: Invasion of Canada – Capture of Fort Ticonderoga 1776: New York and New Jersey campaign – Battle of Long Island – New York Prison Ships Begin – Landing at Kip's Bay – Battle of Harlem Heights – Great Fire of New York – Execution of Nathan Hale – Battle of Valcour Island – Battle of Pell's Point – Battle of White Plains – Battle of Fort Washington 1777: Meigs Raid – Saratoga campaign – Battle of Ticonderoga – Battle of Hubbardton – Battle of Fort Ann – Battle of Oriskany – Battle of Saratoga – Battle of Freeman's Farm – Battle of Bemis Heights 1778: Setauket Spy Ring Launched – Battle of Cobleskill – West Point established – Cherry Valley massacre 1779: Battle of Stony Point – Sullivan Expedition – Battle of Newtown 1780: First Purple Heart – André Capture Reveals Traitor Benedict Arnold 1781: HMS Culloden Runs Aground at Montauk – Washington Calls Off Invasion of New York to Support Yorktown 1782: Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh – Newburgh letter – 1783: Newburgh conspiracy – British Evacuate New York – Washington's Farewell to His Officers