Fort Montgomery ( Hudson River ) Fort Montgomery is the name of a fortification built in 1776 by the Continental Army on West Bank of the Hudson River during the American Revolution . It was one of the first major investments by the Americans in strategic construction projects . Declared a National Historic Landmark , it is owned and operated by the state of New York as the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site . Fort Montgomery in the American Revolution . Fort Montgomery was located at the confluence of Popolopen Creek with the Hudson River near Bear Mountain in Orange County , New York . The fortifications included a river battery of six 32 - pound cannons , a cable chain supported by a boom across the Hudson River ( see Hudson River Chain ) , and landward redoubt s connected by ramparts , all situated on a cliff promontory rising 100 feet ( 30 m ) above the river . The fort was commanded by General George Clinton , also the newly appointed governor of the state . Fort Montgomery and its companion fortification Fort Clinton , on the southern bank of the Popolopen , held a combined garrison of roughly 700 American soldiers . These men were from the 5th NY Regiment , Lamb ' s Artillery , Orange County Militia , and Ulster County Militia . The strategic importance of the ability to control navigation along the Hudson River was obvious to both the Americans and the British from the outbreak of open hostilities . The Hudson was the major means for transportation of supplies and troops throughout a large portion of the northeast . The fort was constructed at a site noted as early as the seventeenth century for its strategic advantage in controlling navigation along the river . A month after the first open armed conflict in Lexington , the Continental Congress resolved on May 25 , 1775 to build fortifications in the Hudson highlands for the purpose of protecting and maintaining control of the Hudson River . It noted that " … a post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson ’ s River and batteries erected in such a manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the borders of said river … " James Clinton and Christopher Tappan , both lifetime residents of the area , were sent to scout appropriate locations . The initial site chosen was further to the north at West Point , and construction of the fortifications to be named Fort Constitution began . However , difficulties in construction and management of the original plan of fortifications , together with escalating costs , led to abandonment of that project . The site on the north side of Popolopen Creek across from Anthony ' s Nose was proposed , and the materials and resources from Fort Constitution were redirected to the construction at the new site . Construction began on the new Fort Montgomery in March 1776 . The strategic importance of the opposite bank of Popolopen Creek was quickly realized , as it was an elevated cliff terrace with a full view of the Fort Montgomery site and could not be left undefended . The Army built the smaller fortification named Fort Clinton at that site . These two forts and their associated cannon batteries effectively controlled this stretch of the Hudson River . The Army also conceived a major engineering project to effectively blockade any naval traffic headed north on the river . In 1776 a chain and boom were built across the river to provide a physical barrier to ships , in addition to the combined firepower of the fortifications , which could be massed against ships . In July 1776 , the New York convention appointed a committee , including John Jay , Robert Livingston , George Clinton and Robert Yates , to " devise and carry into execution " measures for " obstructing the channel of Hudson ' s river , or annoying the navigation of the said River . " Worried about lack of arms , it worked to buy more cannon . Battle of Fort Montgomery . On October 6 , 1777 , a combined force of roughly 2 , 100 Loyalists , Hessians , and British regulars led by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton attacked forts Montgomery and Clinton from the landward side ( where the defenses were only partially completed ) . They had support from cannon fire from British ships on the Hudson River that had passed through the chevaux de frise on the lower river . The land columns attacking from west of the fort consisted of the New York Volunteers , the Loyal American Regiment , Emmerich ' s Chasseurs , the 57th and the 52nd Regiments of Foot . By the end of the day , both forts had fallen to the British , who burned the forts and tore down the stonework buildings . The battle was a pyrrhic victory for the British , however . Their campaign against the forts caused delays in reinforcing General John Burgoyne at Saratoga . Americans gained the upper hand at the Battle of Bemis Heights and forced the surrender of Burgoyne ten days later at the Battle of Saratoga , when the reinforcements were still far to the south . Historic Site . The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972 . A system of trails and interpretive signs guides visitors through the ruins of the fort . Designed by the architect Salvatore Cuciti , the Visitor Center opened in October 2006 . The timber frame building is oriented to provide visitors with a " gun sight " view down the Hudson . Operated as a state museum , it contains artifacts from the site , mannequins representing military units and a detailed model of the fort .