New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Fort Clinton

Chains Across the Hudson, Stirling Ironworks & The Townsend Family

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13 Links of the Great Chain across the Hudson at Trophy Point, West Point“The importance of the Hudson River in the present contest, and the necessity of defending it, are subjects which have been so frequently and fully discussed and are so well understood that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them.” – George Washington

It is hard to imagine a time in the United States when highways did not exist, but that was certainly the case at the time of the Revolutionary War. Some cities could brag of their cobblestone streets but once outside the residential area, roads could best be described as single-lane dirt paths, frozen solid but probably covered with snow in winter, mud bogs in spring, and deeply rutted, jarring, swaying and unstable conveyances the rest of the year.

A small military wagon could move along only as fast as a team of oxen could pull it. Moving armies and cannon along these roadways was a slow, difficult undertaking, offering opposing forces considerable advance notice and many opportunities to thwart progress or attack. [Read more…] about Chains Across the Hudson, Stirling Ironworks & The Townsend Family

Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton

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The Assault on Forts Montgomery and ClintonFort Montgomery State Historic Site is hosting Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton, on Saturday, October 7 from 10 am to 4 pm.

On October 6, 1777 an invading British Army assaulted Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton. Outnumbered 3 to 1, the defending Continental soldiers and militia held out as long as they could until at last the forts were overrun, the Continental ships burned by their own crews to prevent capture, and the Great Chain removed. Over half of the garrison was captured or killed. [Read more…] about Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton

AJ Schenkman: The Hasbrouck Ledger

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One of the problems in researching the life of Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck is that there are so few primary sources written by him left to us. We are fortunate that at least one of the treasures that give us a peek into his life, one of his account ledgers, has been preserved. It is a rich source for a researcher of not only Hasbrouck, but of others from his time period as well. [Read more…] about AJ Schenkman: The Hasbrouck Ledger

Forts Montgomery and Clinton: Twin Forts Day

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On October 6, 1777 an invading British Army assaulted Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton. Outnumbered 3 to 1, the defending Continental soldiers and militia held out as long as they could until at last the forts were overrun, the Continental ships burned by their own crews to prevent capture, and the Great Chain removed. Over half of the garrison was captured or killed.

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site in the Hudson Highlands on Saturday October 6th will commemorate the 235th anniversary of this bloody battle. Reenactors are portraying the American Continentals and militia as well as the British, their German allies, and the Loyalist Americans. There will be a reenactment of the battle on the actual battlefield of Fort Montgomery; cannon firings, including the fort’s 32-pounder “George” and military drill and living history demonstrations throughout the day.

Schedule:

10:00 AM – Camps Open. Living History Demonstrations and Military Drill throughout the Day
11:00 AM – Guided Tour of Fort Montgomery – Starting at the Museum
12:00 PM – Children’s Musket Drill – Reenactment Field
1:00 PM – Artillery Firing – Grand Battery
1:30 PM – Military Music Demonstration – Grand Battery
2:00 PM – Children’s Musket Drill – Reenactment Field
3:00 PM – “Soldiers of the Twin Forts” – Museum Terrace
4:00 PM – Battle Reenactment – Reenactment Field
5:00PM – Camps Close

Parking will be available off-site with a shuttle bus running throughout the day (follow the posted signs). Twin Forts Day is presented by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Fort Montgomery is located at 690 Route 9W, ¼ mile north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. The museum and grounds are open Wed. through Sun. 9 AM to 5 PM. Call 845-446-2134 for more information.

Hudson Valley Hessian Winter Muster on Sunday

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Little known are the attacks on Forts Montgomery and Clinton on October 6, 1777. Even less known is the fact that the assault was a multinational effort involving German and Scottish troops, and a Polish nobleman.

On Sunday, January 29th, learn about Hessian participation in the Revolutionary War, as the Landgraf Regiment presents Hudson Valley Hessian Winter Muster. The program will feature period drill and a slideshow presentation: Martial Splendor: Introduction to the Clothing, Weapons, and Accoutrements of the “Hessian” Soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Schedule

1:00 PM: Muster and Drill (Field Behind Museum)

3:00 PM: Slideshow Presentation: Martial Splendor: Introduction to the Clothing, Weapons, and Accoutrements of the “Hessian” Soldier in the Revolutionary War. (Fort Montgomery Museum Classroom)

For more information, please call (845) 446-2134. Fort Montgomery State Historic Site is located at 690 Route 9W, in Fort Montgomery, Orange County, NY.