New-York tribune., 1908-09-20
TO UNVEIL FORT
LEE MONUMENT
ON SITE OF REVOLUTION-
ARY DEFENCE.
Marks Vantage Point Whence Con-
tineHtaI Soldiers Watched British
Operations in Ne1o York.

The Fort Lee Revolutionary Monument A-soet,.
ton will az last have gained its desired end vhe,
the monument erected to commemorate the fnooor-
tant events which took place near Fort Lee in fhs
War OF 1875 is unveiled Saturday. Septsnr4-
.26. The association vas organized October %
1902. and I'm the winter OF 1902-03. through fs A.
forts. appropriation was obtained from the Leg
isIature Of $1,000 the nucleus Of fund for a
monument. To this amount the Legislature addsi
at the following session $4,000
Steps had been taken by the association % obtss,
the only suitable site. which in the outer works
of the old fortifcations. and after three years a
title to this property was gained through condsn-
nation proceedings competition for a suitable
design was held in October. 1905 in which many
scuptors entered The design offered by Carl =
Tefft. Of New York. who designed the fountain IN
the Bronx Geological Park. New York. was chosen
by the association. and later approved by the Psf-
sades Interstate Park Commission. which commits
sion made custodian OF the funds.
The design represents two Of General Washing
toms soldiers, Continental and drummer bow
scaling the Palisades at Fort Lee The figures are
cast in bronze and are ~ feet high. mounted on
pedestal 10 feet in height quarried from the na.
tive trap rock Of the Palisades. The statue Is
erected on a s-foot terrace. bringing the total
height to about 20 feet Elaborate plans have been
made by the association for the exercises which will
mark the formal recognition Of the State OF New
Jersey OF this historical landmark
On behalf OF the state. the principal address Will
sons. representing the national government the
State of New York and all the principal Revolu-
tionary societies. will take part in the ceremonies.
The military and naval contingents will consist or
a detachment Of the United States army from the
Department Of the East. Major General Grant COM
rnanding; the United States ship New IIampshire
Captain Cameron McR. winslow commanding: the
5th Regiment. n. G. y. j.. Colonel Helm COM
manding; Washington Continental Guards. Grand
Army Of the Republic. Spanish War Veterans and
the Bergen Troop. Also in parade will be the
borough fire department. The departments Of the
surrounding municipalities, including Hackensack
and Englewood. and. ssreral civic societies. The
programme will end with a display Of fireworks in
the evening
The monument is in park. and stands
point where the original outer works OF the old
fort were situated. The monument will also mark
what is said to be the original camp occupied by
General Lee as his headquarters and the site
where Morgan's Virginia rifemen were en-
eamped. The fort played an important part in the
movements OF the Revolutionary army, but no bat
tie of Importance fought there.
Many persons believe that the old fort and camp
at Fort Lee were on the Palisades bluff. overlook
ing the Hudson River, but this is not the fact.
The monument Will not be seen from the Hudson
River. 1t was to guard ravine leading up the
Palisades that the fort erected. and il was
situated inland for strategiCal reasons
Fort Lee is full Of traditional Revolutionary his
tory The ruins of the stone huts which were used
by Morgan's men in their stay at Fort Lee are
still to be seen. and the Fort Lee association will
take steps to preserve them In these huts the
hardy and determined patriots. with constitutions
that defed weather and haTdships. slept in the cold
nights of October and November. 17I6- Another re-
ninder of the period is the old stone bake oven
found on the premises Of the Belvidere Hotel and
which for years has been properly labelled and pro-
tected 1t was in this stone oven that bread Tor
the Revolutionary soldiers was baked
From this fort the movements of the British
army in the occupation of Manhattan were closely
watched General Washington. visited the fort
several times.
Fort Lee has tradition handed down from
the Revolution that has always afforded food Ior
discussion. 1t is relative 20 Dead Brook and now
the little stream received such a name one story
Is that a Hessian soldier was shot by scout Wnie
crossin, the brook Another authority says thdl
the scout after climbing the Palisades. stopE u
take a drink at the brook. and not rehshnS u
went further up TO ascertain the cause OF tn0
unusual taste OF the water. He discovered hes
sian bathing his feet in the stream and snot Dim
Another story is that a bloody battle was foush'
along the brook and because Of the presence oi -
many dead soldiers alongside the tiny stream 'N0
name of Dead Brook applied