Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

77 7HEN the entire nation pauses
NMU to observe George Washing
WV tons birthday but few eyes
are turned to the little town
of Sterling, n. Y, yet 1t was there that
the mines and iron works necessary to
the manufacture of the great chain
ordered by Gen. Washington that
checked the trip Of the British forces
up the Hudson river during the revo-
lutionary war were located. The ore
for this chain and the work necessary
to convert the ore into the barricade
that was to stop the British came from
Sterling.
The significance of the great chain.
the part it had in bringing the war to
a more rapid. and, some historians pc
lieve. successful close, and the ire
mendous power that concurred to Gen.
Washington because Of 1t, is history
well worth retelling.
The Importance Of gaining control OF
the Hudson river was early realized by
the commanders of both armies. That
the possession of the waterway was
an all-important strategic point was
believed by the commanders Of both
forces. The British generals wanted
free progress up and down the Hudson,
because not only did 1t give them
gateway of travel between New YORK
and Canada, but also divided the Ne"
England colonies from those in the
north.
The American forces, endeavoring to
prevent this. erected distractions to
the British travel. but without success.
Four times attempts were made to
blockade the river. Four times the
seemed to have a peculiar propensity
for so doing. Gen. Washington on
several occasions addressed Congress
on the vital importance of retaining
possession of the Hudson. or at least
closing it to the British.
Congress Of ITS passed a resolution
that was communicated to the New
York assembly: Resolved, That a post
be taken in the Highlands on each side
of the Hudson and experienced persons
be sent to examine said river to dis
cover where the most advisable and
proper place for an obstruction to navi-
cation may be located"
Rumors of another attempt of the
British to sever the colonies reached
Washingto On the last sortie of the
British. many American lives had been
lost. towns looted and burned and the
entire country thrown into tumult. A
chain that was made of iron, one and a
half inches thick, had been stretched
across the Hudson at Fort Montgom-
cry. Only a slight delay had been
caused the British. There was moth
vasion. Fire and pillage seemed immi-
nent.
Congress and the military leaders of
the country were at a loss. Suppose
tions in the New England colonies?
Suppose they should decide to starve
them? It could be done.
On December 2. 1877, Gen. Washing
of the forces in the vicinity of the
Hudson: You must prevent the enemy
from further laying waste and Destroy
ing all the houses, mills and towns ac-
cessible to them. I expect you will ex-
ert every nerve and employ your whole
force in constructing the proper means
and works of defense. A barricade
seems the proper step"
Shortly after, the rumors of the Brit
ish attack persisting, Gen. Washington
called a conference of generals of the
American army at New York. The
question of forming an obstacle to the
British advance was the topic of dis
cussion. Many thought that forts on
the banks of the river was the answer
Others held it impossible. Some sug-
gested attempting to fill the Hudson
at the shallowest point. The convention
seemed to be at deadlock. Finally,
Gen. Washington, after sitting all OF
the arguments, cast them aside as i'm
practicable.
I'VE will construct a chain that will
check the British advance" he Is said
to have stated. Despite the incredible
amount of confidence that the generals
had in Washington they attempted to
dissuade him, pointing to the failure Of
a chain made of iron enc and one-half
inches square. Surely" said they, no
chain can be made strong enough to
Withstand the tremendous strain and
shock it would be subjected to and at
the same time be small enough to be
handled"