Fortress West Point Washington's Key of America
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FORTRESS WEST POINT WASHINGTON’S KEY OF AMERICA EST POIN W T A S S S E O T C A IA U T I AD ON OF GR Artillery Uniform Button Unearthed at Fort Wyllys Redoubt #7 on Constitution Island FORTRESS WEST POINT (1775 • Present Day) over thirty iconic American Revolutionary sites comprising After the Battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775, Fortress West constructed between 1775-1783 before the 250th one of the first military acts taken by the Continental Congress, anniversary of the American Revolution in 2025, including the upon convening in May 1775, was to appoint a committee “to celebration of the establishment of the U.S. Army and its first consider what posts are necessary to be occupied in the Colony Commander in chief. 2. To outline efforts to secure private and of New York.” They named then Delegate George Washington public donations of $11,819,000 required to preserve the to serve on the committee. From the outset, the strategic fortress that General Washington identified as the most critical significance of the Hudson River was recognized. Based on the to America’s Revolutionary War effort—by preventing the committee’s report, Congress resolved that positions should be British from cutting the New England from the Middle fortified “on each side of Hudson’s River and batteries erected Atlantic states along the line of the Hudson. This was the iconic in such a manner as will most effectively prevent any vessels site of Major General Benedict Arnold’s treason against passing” up the river. Control of the waterway by the British America. Navy would cut the colonies in half. Fortifications—Fort Constitution--began in the fall of 1775 on Constitution Island. Key Objectives: In January 1778, soldiers crossed the frozen river and staked out • Preserve select stone and wooden structures positions on the dominant point of land jutting out from the • Complete comprehensive archaeological investigations west bank—the “west point” of the Hudson. Glaciers had • Integrate site preservation with the cadet-produced carved a narrow channel making an “S-shaped” curve between Augmented Digital Staff Ride of Fortress West Point there and Constitution Island. From that day to this, the • Construct trails and viewing platforms with the assistance American flag has never ceased flying over West Point, of Civil Engineering majors bestowing on it the honor of being the oldest, continuously • Digitally scan and transcribe over 40 orderly books existing garrison in the U.S. Army, the post Washington called • Reprint in paperback and provide online LTG (Ret.) Dave “the key of America.” Palmer’s River and the Rock • Develop a maintenance and endowment plan for the NATIONAL TREASURE fortifications From 2025 until 2033, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary (Sestercentennial) of the American Revolutionary PHASE I: PRESERVE FORTS WYLLYS & MEIGS War, General Washington’s appointment as our nation’s first On the high ridgeline in the Lusk Housing Area are remnants Commander in Chief, and the United States Army. It is of Forts Webb, Wyllys, and Meigs, designed and constructed fortuitous that so many traces of the military fortress — key to under the supervision of Polish engineer Colonel Thaddeus winning our independence — remain at the United States Kosciuszko in 1778 to secure the southern approaches to Fort Military Academy, itself so central a factor in maintaining that Arnold/Clinton on The Plain and assault by land from the west. freedom. The ghost of the fortress undergirds the strength of General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the the Academy. Continental Army, inspected these very fortifications on several occasions throughout the war. Forts Wyllys and Meigs AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY FORTIFICATIONS secured the southernmost tip of Lusk Ridge. Fort Wyllys was The purpose of the strategic plan to preserve Fortress West named for Colonel Samuel Wyllys who commanded the 3rd Point is twofold: 1. To provide detailed plans for preserving Connecticut Regiment from 1777-1781. It comprised a small “Many decades of erosion of Fortress West Point have left the ‘key of America’ in a state of disrepair. Unless corrected, many sites will be lost forever in our lifetime. The Fortress West Point Strategic Plan signals the beginning of a much needed effort to save these unique sites built by our country’s dedicated American Revolutionary soldiers.” — Lieutenant General (Ret) Dave Palmer, USMA Class of 1956, Superintendent USMA 1986-1991, and author of The River and the Rock: The History of Fortress West Point, 1775-1783. fort and an artillery battery. In September of 1778, French Point. While the Continental Army waited for the war to end engineer Brigadier General Louis Deportail inspected the West officially, there was time to relax and celebrate. One occasion, in Point fortifications at the request of General Washington. In his particular, presented itself — the birthday of Louis Joseph, the report he noted that Fort Wyllys required 400-500 men for its heir apparent to the King of France [Louis the 16th and Marie defense. Fort Meigs was named for Colonel Return Jonathan Antoinette]. But it was more than a salute to the French dauphin, Meigs who commanded the 6th Connecticut Regiment. Fort it represented an expression of Patriot appreciation and gratitude Artillery Uniform Button Unearthed at Fort Wyllys Redoubt #7 on Constitution Island Meigs comprised two batteries of artillery overlooking the road — Washington’s in particular — for French support during the leading into the fortress from the south. Fort Webb anchored the Revolution. For the occasion, a grand pavilion two hundred and northern end of the ridge. All three structures could be twenty feet in length and eighty feet wide was built [on the Plain], supported from Fort Putnam if they were attacked. supported by one hundred and eighteen pillars made of tree Significant erosion and decay have occurred on all of these trunks. The whole was covered with the boughs or branches of significant forts. Plans include preserving both the fort and trees and decorated with evergreens and garlands of flowers. It is battery of Fort Wyllys, with its powder magazine and reported that 500 gentlemen and ladies took part in the bombproof, and Fort Meigs. magnificent festival.” “Many decades of erosion of Fortress West Point have left the 250TH CELEBRATION ON THE PLAIN ‘key of America’ in a state of disrepair. Unless corrected, many The goal is to complete the full Fortress West Point Strategic sites will be lost forever in our lifetime. The Fortress West Point Plan (outlined on the back page) by the 250th Anniversary of the Strategic Plan signals the beginning of a much-needed effort to American Revolution in the year 2025. To celebrate the Army’s save these unique sites built by our country’s dedicated American birthday, plans are to recreate General Washington’s gala event Revolutionary soldiers.” — Lieutenant General (Ret) Dave held on the Plain in 1782. Historian Theodore J. Crackel Palmer, USMA Class of 1956, Superintendent USMA 1986-1991, described the scene in The Illustrated History of West Point: “In and author of The River and the Rock: The History of Fortress the spring of 1782, with peace only a formality away, Washington West Point, 1775-1783. brought the Continental Army back to the Hudson Highlands and established his headquarters at Newburgh, just above West Vision of Fort Meigs restoration: Unencumbered view of the Hudson River and the existing parapet of the fort repaired. The hillside is cleared of fallen trees and debris, the paths are defined, and the viewing platform is installed. The platforms are designed in the pentagon shape of some of the batteries, with seating resembling other elements found in the fortifications. Graphic signage will further explain the historic significance of each site and the experience will be enhanced by cadet-led augmented reality staff rides. Defined paths will increase safety and prevent further erosion and damage to the site. GENEROUS GRADUATES AND FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY WHO SUPPORT THE WEST POINT AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY FORTIFICATIONS PROJECT WILL TAKE PRIDE IN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THEIR GIFTS. PHASE I Forts Meigs (funded) .....................................$150,000 Forts Wyllys ................................................$1.9M EST POIN W T A S S S E O T C A IA U T I AD ON OF GR Kristin Sorenson | West Point Association of Graduates 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996 Phone 845.446.1561 | Fax 845.446.1693 westpointaog.org as of September 18, 2019.