The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-10-17
STONY POINT HISTORY.
Sketch OF Gen. Wayne's Exploit which
Made the spot Famous.


Made the spot Famous.
The surprise and capture Of Stony
Point by Mad" Anthony Wayne on
the night of July 1916, 1879, was de-
scribed by Gen. Charles Lee in a let
ter to General Wayne as mot only the
most brilliant in my opinion, through
out the whole course of the war on
either side, but that 1t is the most
brilliant l am acquainted with in his
tory. The assault Of Schweidnitz by
Marshal Laudun l think inferior to
It,"
When the British were driven out OF
Boston on March II, 1776, it became
apparent that they would turn their at
tention to the conquest of New York,
but General Washington anticipated
this by sending five regiments and
| some artillery to Manhattan Island
and going there himself afterward. In
spection of the approaches to New
York demonstrated the ACCESSIBILITY of
possessing Stony Point, but such a
movement was not at once undertaken.
On June 81, 1879, General Washing
ton gave General Wayne command of
the light infantry posted near Fort
Montgomery, and wrote him letter
In which he urged the possession of
VerplanCk's and Stony Points. Gener-
! al Wayne reconnoitred Stony Point on
July 2, afterward telling General
Washington that while siege or storm
would be impracticable a surprise
might succeed. General Washington
then went in person to inspect the
desired position, and in long letter
advised the plan of surprise, suggest
ing a very dark or rainy night as
most propitious for the strategy.
Without acquainting his troops with
the work he had in store for them,
General Wayne held a review of his
force at noon on July Is at Sandy
Beach, IA miles north of Stony Point.
They we're freshly shaved, we'll pow
dered and fully equipped and ra-
toned. Instead of dismissing them at
the close of inspection, General Wayne
started them marching southwark
They halted about 8 o'clock in the
evening at Springsteel's farm, mile
and a half west of Stony Point, and
there the order of battle, the first In
assault, was read to them Pieces CT
white paper were fixed on their hats
to distinguish them from the enemy
in the confusion of conflict, and in two
columns aggregating 1850 men the
troops started for the assault. While
the Americans advanced the British
garrison, numbering 700 men, slept
with Is pieces of artillery about them.
The American troops had consider
able difficulty in gaining the peninsula,
having to wade marshes and toll up
the slopes. Only one detachment, the
one in the centre, was permitted to
load its guns, and this, as soon as the
British discovered the approach, be-
gan noisy demonstration to make
the British think that this was the
main attacking force. The right and
the left columns advanced cautiously,
and soon the British were amazed tofind
them at the threshold Of the works,
They poured down terrific fire upon
the Americans, but Wayne's men were
not to be deferred. They pressed on
tore their way through the lines OF
abattis, gained the breastworks, and
after mounting the parapet entered
the fort at the bayonet's point, shout
ing: THE forts our own!" the pre-
arranged watchword.
The left column entered at once from
the other side, ana Lne triumph was
complete. During the assault, Wayne
was wounded in the head, but strug-
Cling to his knees cried out: March
on Carry me into the fort Let me-
die at the head of my column"
Wayne's wound, however, proved tt
be slight one.
The total loss of the Americans was
|, Is killed and SO wounded. The Brit
ish placed their losses at 20 killed ant
1872 wounded and missing. Wayne
however, reported that he had killed
SO, wounded 81 and captured 81
prisoners. Only one Of the British
garrison escaped.
, Upon securing possession Of tn
fort, the Americans turned the gun
} on VerpIancks Point but without eff
{ feet The British ships slipped thei
cables and dropped down stream