Battle of Stony Point

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Capture of Stony Point by Wayne

Date	July 15, 1779
Location	Stony Point, New York
Result	American victory

Combatants

United States

British

Commanders

Anthony Wayne

Henry Johnson

Strength

1,350

700

Casualties

15 killed
83 wounded

63 killed
70 wounded
543 prisoners

Northern theater after Saratoga, 1778–1781
Rhode Island – Wyoming Valley – Carleton's Raid – Cherry Valley – Stony Point – Penobscot expedition – Sullivan expedition – Newtown – Springfield – Groton Heights

The Battle of Stony Point was a battle of the American Revolutionary War.

1 Background
2 Battle
- 2.1 State Historic Site
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Background

On July 15, 1779, General Anthony Wayne and his men attacked a British fortification located on the peninsula at Stony Point. The peninsula, situated on the west bank of the Hudson River about 10 miles (16 km) south of West Point and 35 miles (56 km) north of New York City, was the western terminus of the King's ferry.

[edit] Battle

Wayne, marching south from the West Point area, split his forces into three sections. The main attacks came from the north and south with a diversionary center skirmish. General Wayne commanded the soldiers to attack with weapons unloaded and fixed bayonets in order to prevent an untimely shot from destroying the element of surprise. His men wore pieces of white paper pinned to their hats so they could tell each other apart in the darkness. The lightly armed Americans forced the surprised British garrison to surrender after a few hours.

A few days later, the Continentals, not having enough men to defend the new position, were forced to abandon the fort. For this exploit, General Wayne earned the moniker, "Mad" Anthony Wayne.

[edit] State Historic Site

The Stony Point State Historic Site is located at the former battlefield and has interpretive materials, tours, and demonstrations, primarily during the summer season.