That's the short version. If you're interested in a more complete story, it's a good read.
Posted on 07/16/2009 2:53:21 PM PDT by smokingfrog
The battle at Stony Point, which took place in July of 1779, was (according to the National Park Service) "the last military action of importance in the northern theater of war."
In addition, the National Park Service provides this description of the general battle scene:
Stony Point is a steep promontory jutting half a mile into the Hudson River and rising 150 feet above the water, which all but surrounds it. A marsh, under water at high tide, protected the inland side of the post.
The British, under General Clinton, had secured, and fortified, that location. About six hundred Redcoats manned it.
General Washington wanted to regain Stony Point. He ordered General "Mad Anthony" Wayne to do the job. According to the Park Service:
He [General Wayne] moved in after dark on July 15, and at about midnight his elite corps launched its assault with muskets unloaded and with orders to use the bayonet. Within 20 minutes [of ferocious hand-to-hand combat] the fort had been secured and its surprised garrison made prisoners. The American loss was 15 killed and 80 wounded.
At two a.m., General Wayne sent a message to Washington: "The fort and garrison . . . are ours. Our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free."
Although the Americans did not hold the post, Washington ordered his troops to dismantle its fortifications. The British took possession again, but this time General Clinton was much more cautious. According to the Park Service:
Clinton, alarmed by his losses, had lost heart for further offensive action. Washington had retained his grip on the Hudson River line and won time in which to fortify West Point more strongly than ever.
That's the short version. If you're interested in a more complete story, it's a good read.
Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne to Gen. George Washington on the eve of the Battle of Stony Point “I would storm the gates of Hell if only you would plan the attack!”
It is this very same spirit I see in Sarah.
It is the spirit of collaborators I see in Mitt, the Huckster, and Newt.
Good quote!
“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
The point is that the FLAG is still there.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.