The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-09-14
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, 1873, was de-
scribed by Gen. Charles Lee in 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 it is the most
brilliant l am acquainted with in his
tory. The assault Of Schweidnitz -
Marshal Laudun I think inferior to
it."
When the British we're driven out OF
Boston on March II, 1916, 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 advisability OF
possessing Stony Point, but such
movement was not at once undertaken.
On June q, 1873, 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 a 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 review of his
force at noon on July Is at Sandy
Beach, IA miles north of Stony Point.
They were 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 o'clock in the
evening at Springsteel's farm, a mile
and half west of Stony Point, and
there the order of battle, the first IN
timation they mao o. a contemplated
assault, was read to them. Pieces 81
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 It's guns, and this, as soon as the
British discovered the approach. be-
gan a noisy demonstration to make
the British think that this was the
main attacking force The right and
tie left columns advanced cautiously,
and soon The British were amazed tofnd
them at the threshold CT the works
| They poured down a terrific fire upon
the Americans. but Waynes men were
not to be deferred. They pressed on.
| tore their way through the lines Of
ahattis, gained the breastworks. and
after mounting the parapet entered
the fort at the bayonets point. shoui
/ ing: The forts our own"' the pre-
arranged watchword
The left column entered at once from
the other side, and ,ae triumph was
complete. During the assault, WAYNE
was wounded in the head. but strug-
! Cling to his knees. cried out: March
on. Garry me into the fort Let me
die at the head Of my column.
Wayne's wound, however. proved 10
/ be slight one
| The total loss of the Americans was
j Is killed and SO wounded. The Brit
! ish placed their losses at 20 killed and
1872 wounded and missing. Wayne,
however, reported chat he had killed
GO. wounded 81 and captured SIS
| prisoners. Only one Of the British
/ garrison escaped.
I Upon securing possession of the
fort. the Americans turned the guns
on Verplsnck's Point, but without eff
/ feet. The British ships slipped their
cables and dropped down stream.