New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17

VI Low. IL 10 CuclS1OLS SoHSiQ0Sa h1iet OOH-
necticut Village inhabited as late as the
first decade of the nineteenth century.
Two of the camps on the east side OF
the Hudson River, opposite West Point, re-
main to be discovered. These lost camps were
known New Boston" and Soldiers
Fortune" The search has discovered three Of
the camps known as Camp Robinson Farm
Camp Hampstead Huts" and Connecticut
Village Camp Robinson Farm was named
because it stood the farm of Beverly
Robinson. 1t is located at Garrisons, on the
west side of "Cat Rock Road" about half a
mile south of Forsonville.
In the early spring of the present year two
members of the committee climbed to the
summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain. on the east
side Of the Hudson, to settle the old DISPUTE
as to the existence of Revolutionary fort at
this point. No road leads to the summit
and it is probable that no exploration of this
region had been made for many years. The
hills on the east side of the Hudson River r.
rectly opposite West Point are known locally
as North Redoubt" and South Redoubt. ;,
but IN the old documents Sloan's Mountain is
known as Middle Redoubt" 1t was to set
tie once for all the old question as to whether
more southerly fertilization once existed
that the exploration of Sugar Loaf was made
AT the peak Of the mountain the explorers
found small redoubt, about thirty-eight feet
VIDE by forty feet in length 1t was con-
cluoed that the fort had never been com
pleted Inc earthworks or the North and
Mode redoubts are we'll preserved Fire
places were discovered at both points and
good specimens Of Continental artillery but-
tons were unearthed
With the exception of the redoubt on ton of
Sugar Loaf Mountain all these forts can now
De reached with comparative ease. The forts
Oh the west bank of the Hudson lie in the
government reservation, and series of excel
tent roads and paths scale the mountains to
the SUBMITS The climb is well worth while. IF
only TO enjoy the view of the Highlands which
tnese mountain tops command There are still
traces OF the trails used by the soldiers of The
revolution IN climbing to the forts. Thev
were Steep narrow and stony The work of
dragging cannon to the tops of the mountains
must nave been arduous. Oxen were used
once arrived at the top the oxen were killed
and eaten, thus simplifying the return
journey.
Standing on these old forts it is easy TO un-
oerstand why Washington made such heroic
efforts to establish them In most cases 4Aa
sizes of the mountains fall awav sbarnlv ~
the valleys, six eight hundred feet below
1t would seem that stone tossed hv b.nd
would reach the roads The forts tbarefora
completely command the approaches r. +be
highlands, and in such position q handful
OF men could work immense havoc To q laroe
force OF troops attempting to pass beneath
ihls was also true of the forts on the onnoeita
Side OF the Hudson. Constitution Island =,
turn was fortified by three excellentlv nro-
served forts The island has been nurcbase5
ana Will be carefully kept with its nanv in
teresting relics.
FROM any of these forts one NAV eniov a
mag innocent panorama of the Highlands with
the huoson River winding far beneath. The
oundlngs OF the West Point Academy are
uwarleo at TINS height and the villages apnear
IKE toys. With so many forts commanding
'he approaches the citadel of West Point en-
pears lnvincibe. With the Highlands lving
oe1ofe one IKE a panorama the story of tha
attempted treason of Benedict Arnold gains a
ne" interest. Arnold being in charge of West
rolne' IL Will be remembered, planned To send
'he various regiments away on pretended err
ranos' when the Notifications thus weakened
could be captured. The position of the British
ship off West Point is clearly visible from these
heights. Had Arnold succeeded and the Brit
lsh occupied the coveted positions. the war
might have ended very differently.
The forts and redoubts, it is now assured
will be preserved for all time One of these
Fort Putnam, on the heights just above West
FONT, has been restored on an elaborate
scale and its ramparts once more eouipued
with ancient mortars. motor bus runs
from West Point landing and railroad sta
ton directly to Fort Put" as it is called
The roads leading to the other forts are well
marked by frequent signboards
During the Revolution the Highlands pre-
sented very different appearance, for much
of the wood was cut away which would other
wise have afforded possible shelter to an an
preaching enemy. To-day the mountains are
thckly wooded.
The explorations are being carried on with
the sympathy and encouragement of the mill
tary authorities of West Point. The COM
mandant of the Academy, General Macarthur.
has placed the entire region at the DISPOSAL
OF the New York Historical Society. merely
stipulating that all materials removed in the
course of excavations be replaced, and that no