The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-10
Interesting Revolutionary "Reminiscences Of
Fort Washington.


We called attention some days ago. HrAID, 10 The
TACT thai several relics had been discovered
about week before by the workmen employed in remov
ing the underbrush and improving the ground upon tho
site OF Fort Washington These consisted Of number OF
non balls and chain shot, which were found mbedded in
the earth few inches below the surface and Of which
were also taken out from Amid the OF trees where
they have boen lying undisurbed for three quarters Of
century The balls twelve Founders, and although
covered over with rust almost perfect when they
were discharged at the fort They bear the marks
Of the mould in which they casa fact which shows
either that the of founding balls in those days
had not reached that state Of perfection to which has
since attained, that those by whom they cas-.
were in too great hurry 10 complete their work.
However that may be, il is fact that the marks
Of the mould we're not removed, and have
remained through the many years during which
they have lain In the earth almost unchanged There
were also discovered ten years ago. the
place, some old rusteasen bsyonets, and gold Of
the reign OF George H. and about the time several
human bones were dsinterred by iaoorers en-
psyed on the ground The precise locality which these
relics were found 10 the face Of the hill which fronts
the river and the summit of which the fort was con
structed 1t still bears, in the partially enacea smDra-
surcs, the breastworks and the escarpment unmakea
bic evidences Of its character Tho hill itself is between
I've nunureu Ieet ABOVE the water level, Is tho
highest point Of land the whole Island of Manhattan
and doubtless selected account of its commanding
position the best adapted for the purposes of fort,
The Hag STAFF which now stands there and which, from
its prominence can be for miles around placed
in its present position several years ago by Mr. Carman
who was then the proprietor and whose objec. was 10 in
dcae in this way the precise centre of the citadel There
we have said but very few traces OF the forca.
tions left but there still sufficient enable the careful
observer 70 make out portion of the defences;
and while the hill upon which STOOD and from which
derived its main strength remains its locality cannot be
4 subject Of speculation.
Fort Washington of the numerous defences
which had been hastily thrown up the island Of Man
haitian during the early stages of the Revolution Il con-
sisted, like those which constructed by the cele-
brated Russian Engineer Todtleben at Sebastopo mainly
OF earth worksand may be worthy of particular notice
here " state that there is for supposng he
rowed the idea from Revolutionary history The work
commenced about the latter part of June 177o under
the supervision Of Col Rufus Putnam and by the ncessan
labor OF those employed il finished in few weeks
The fort constructed in the form OF pentsgon an
strengthened by five bast'ons as may be seen by
reference 10 the following map, representing the field
operations OF the British and American forces previous TO
its capture by the former which took place the 10th of
Novembev 1776.-