Fort Montgomery (Hudson River) facts for kids
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Fort Montgomery State Historic Site
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Cannons at the site of the fort, 2007
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| Location | Fort Montgomery, Highlands, New York, USA |
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| Nearest city | Peekskill |
| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000897 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
Fort Montgomery was an important fort built by the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It was located on the west bank of the Hudson River in Highlands, New York. Built in 1776, it was one of the first big projects the Americans created to protect their land.
Today, Fort Montgomery is a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place recognized for its special history. The state of New York owns and runs it as the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site. You can visit it to learn about its past.
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Why the Hudson River Was Important
The Hudson River was super important during the American Revolution. Both the Americans and the British knew that controlling it was key. The river was like a highway for moving soldiers and supplies across a big part of the northeast.
The fort was built in a spot that people had known for a long time was perfect for controlling river traffic. In May 1775, after the first fights, the Continental Congress decided to build forts in the Hudson Highlands. Their goal was to stop the British from taking over the river. If the British controlled the Hudson, they could split the American colonies in two.
Building Fort Montgomery
At first, a different fort called Fort Constitution was planned further north. Construction started there in the summer of 1775. But building it was difficult and costly. So, in January 1776, the plans changed. Resources were moved to a new site across from Anthony's Nose. This new fort was named Fort Montgomery, and its construction began in March 1776.
Fort Montgomery was built where Popolopen Creek meets the Hudson River, near Bear Mountain. The fort had cannons facing the river. It also had strong walls and small forts called redoubts on the land side. These were all on a cliff about 100 feet (30 meters) above the river.
General George Clinton, who was also the new governor of New York, commanded the fort. Fort Montgomery and a smaller fort nearby, Fort Clinton, had about 700 American soldiers. These soldiers came from different groups, including the 5th NY Regiment and local militias.
The Americans also built a huge chain and boom across the Hudson River in 1776. This was a physical barrier to stop British ships. The chain, along with the cannons from the forts, made it very hard for enemy ships to pass.
The Battle of Fort Montgomery
On October 6, 1777, a large force of about 2,100 soldiers attacked Fort Montgomery. These soldiers were a mix of Loyalists (Americans who supported the British), Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British), and British regulars. They were led by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton.
The British attacked the forts from the land side, where the defenses were not fully finished. British ships on the Hudson River also fired their cannons to help. By the end of the day, both Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton had fallen to the British. The British then burned the forts and tore down their stone buildings.
However, this victory didn't help the British much in the long run. Their attack on the forts caused delays in sending help to General John Burgoyne at Saratoga. Because of these delays, the Americans won a major victory at the Battle of Saratoga ten days later. This forced Burgoyne's army to surrender.
Visiting the Historic Site
Fort Montgomery was named a National Historic Landmark in 1972. Today, you can walk along trails and read signs that explain the ruins of the fort.
A visitor center opened in October 2006. It's a timber-frame building designed to give visitors a great view of the Hudson River. Inside, you can see items found at the site, models of soldiers, and a detailed model of the fort. It's a great place to learn about this important part of American history.
See also
