The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-18
THE STONY POINT FIZZLE.
WHY THE SHAM BATTLE DID NOT ocCUR-A
COMMITTEEMAN EXPLAINS.

WHY THE SHAM BATTLE DID NOT oCCUR-A
coMMITTEEMAN EXPLAINS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The public verdict of the celebration Of the Tooth
anniversary Of the storming Stony Point is AZ the
HERALD justly states it, "the elaborate failure
ever Witnessed" The comm ttee having the matter
in charge originally intended to forifcations
and mount siege guns. For many this
found to be impracticable. II was then decided to
enclose space about two hundred feet the of
the lighthouse which formed the centre of the old
fort and is partially surrounded by high embank-
ment. On part of this embankm ent the speakers
stand was erected and surrounded with seats for
invited guests. The plan for the battle was to be
represented follows The Putnam phalanx were
to take up their position the extreme right about
one hundred yards south of the speakers stand,
representing the right wing. portion of the
Twenty first regiment. N.G.S.N.Y.. and the Seven
teenth battalion. N.G.S.N.Y., were to form in the
centre. representing the British garrison The
ond battalion, N.GS.N.J, were to form lmme-
diatey the front and LETT of the speakers stand
representing the left wing. These to be under
the command of an army officer, whose maine with
hold lest shadow OF reproach should unjusty fall
on him. The arrangements completed for car
rying out the programme The failure is owing en-.
troy to the delay of the troops who to particle
pate The Second battalion of New Jersey. on whom
the committee relied to guard the several APP
proaches to the fort, die not arrive until
nearly twelve o'clock, and after march of
two and half miles through the hot sun were
completely exhausted. The phalanx arrived about
nine A. NJ. and portion of them were used to keep
back the crowd that swarmed in from every drec-
ton The two other battalions did arrive until
nearly twelve o'clock, and by this time the crowd
had possession not only of the grounds but of the
speakers stand and all the seats reserved for invited
guests. 1t impossible to distinguish those who
were entitled to seats from the inruders. The heat
rection and refused to leave and there was OF suf
cient force to expel them. When the time arrived
for the sham battle it was physical impossi-
bility for the Second battalion of New Jer-
sey to attempt it, Several of the were
stricken down and the Others exhausted from
their long march through the hot sun. Two or
three attempts made to organize the troops.
but the had scattered in every direction seeking
shelter under the tents or among the trees The
OF failure mainly attributable to the
cessve heat. For any mismanagement of the affair
prefer that the blame should rest individ-
ually, and only plead in extenuation that four
months of almost ncessant labor day and night had
completely Frustrated me and led me to seek few
hours rest the night before. when l should
have been duty to attend to the execu-
ton of important details. My residence is
twenty five miles from Stony Point, with
very poor facilities for getting there. Ny
associates scattered all through sparsely
tied county. For this reason compelled to DO
the work almost alone. The manner i'll which the
invited guests entertained is source of deep
modification to me. l had placed the management
of this the hands of Messrs. Jones Ryder,
nrm OF competent new 1ork caterers, out only I'VE
days before the celebration the committee took the
contract out of their hands and gave it inexpe
renced resident of the county. deemed it unwise,
but they influenced by motives of economy, and
have desire to censure them. My motives for
engaging in this enterprise purely patriotic.
and sincerely trust that this failure will not deter
Others from attempting the laudable undertaking of
erecting monument TO General Wayne and his
brave followers the spot where the most brilliant
achievement of the Revolution" occurred.
HENRY WHIrTEMORE,
Chairman Executive Committee Wayne Monument
Association.
TAPPAN, N. Y, July II, 1879.