Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/538

506 Independence stood four or five miles below, on a high point of land, on the opposite side of the river. Fort Constitution was six miles above the boom, on an island near the eastern bank: Peekskill, the head-quarters of the officer who commanded on the Hudson, from Kingsbridge to Albany, was just below Fort Independence, on the same side. General Putnam was in command at the time, and had about two thousand men under him.

On the 5th of October, Clinton landed at Verplank's Point, a little below Peekskill, on the same side of the river. Putnam, apprehending that the enemy intended to attack Fort Independence, and to march through the Highlands on the east of the river towards Albany, retired to the heights in his rear; and, entertaining no suspicion of the real point of attack, neglected to strengthen the garrisons of the forts on the western bank.

The British fleet moved higher up the river, in order to conceal what was passing at the place where the troops had landed; and, on the evening of the day on which he had arrived at Verplank's Point, Clinton embarked upwards of two thousand of his men, leaving the rest to guard that post. Early next morning, he landed at Stony Point, in the west side of the river, and immediately began his march over the mountains towards the forts. The roads were difficult, and the enterprise perilous; for a small body of men, properly posted, might not only have arrested his progress, but repulsed him with much loss. He, however, reached the vicinity of the forts before he was discovered; there he fell in with a patrol, who immediately retreated, and gave warning of the approaching danger. Both forts were attacked at the same time. Fort Montgomery was soon taken, but most of the garrison made their escape, under cover of the darkness, and by their knowledge of the mountain passes. Fort Clinton resisted obstinately, but it was stormed, and a considerable portion of the garrison killed or made prisoners. Putnam, so soon as he heard the firing, endeavored to afford relief to the garrison, but to no purpose. The British loss was about a hundred and fifty; the American loss was double that of the enemy.

The vessels of war belonging to the Americans, being unable to escape, were set on fire, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. "The flames," says Stedman, "suddenly burst forth, and, as every sail was set, the vessels soon became magnificent pyramids of fire. The reflection on the steep side of the opposite mountain, and the long train of ruddy light which shone upon the waters for a prodigious distance, had a wonderful effect; while the air was filled with the continued echoes from the rocky shores, as the flames gradually reached the loaded cannons. The whole was sublimely terminated by the explosions, which left all again in darkness. As soon as daylight enabled them to begin, the fleet set to work and destroyed the boom; Fort Constitution was obliged to surrender, and a free road was open along the river shore to Albany. The British destroyed everything in their power, and sailed up the river as far as Esopus; a fine village,