STONY POINT, N. Y., town in Rockland County, on the west bank of the Hudson, and on the New Jersey and. New York, the New York, Ohio and Western and the West Shore railroads, 35 miles north of New York City. At this point is the rocky promontory from which the town derives its name, which was strongly fortified during the Revolutionary War by the British. In 1779 the Americans had begun to fortify the place, but were forced to abandon it by the British under Clinton, who then completed the fortifications. The only land approach was across a marsh which was covered by water at high tide and was defended by a double line of abattis and picket stations. Washington had determined on a recapture of Stony Point and for this purpose organized a body of picked troops known as the Corps of Light Infantry and placed Gen. Anthony Wayne (popularly called "Mad Anthony))) in command. Wayne carefully reconnoitered the place and decided for a night attack and sur prise, which was carefully planned by Wash ington. In accordance with this plan, Wayne brought his men as near Stony Point as pos sible and by 8 P.M., 15 July, camped about a mile from the fort. Here he divided his force into columns, and about 11:30 commenced the march against the fort; when the marsh was reached, one column under Wayne turned to the south to cross the marsh, the other to the north. By the time the Americans had crossed
the morass, the British were thoroughly aroused, and opened fire upon both columns. The Americans did not fire but charged with the bayonet so impetuously that the enemy were quickly driven from the outer abattis into the fort, where they were obliged to surrender; the two American columns reached the fort almost at the same time. Wayne was wounded in the head during the charge, and was carried into the fort but the wound proved slight. The whole British garrison of over 540 were taken prisoners; the Americans lost only 15 killed, the British 63. The Americans were not able to hold the place, but destroyed the fortifica tions, and it was reoccupied for a time by the British who, however, abandoned it in October. The immediate effect of the victory was to encourage the Continental army, and increase the confidence and zeal of the people. The site of the fortifications was acquired as a public park by New York State in 1897. The population of the village is less than 1,000, but the town's population is about 4,000.. Consult Johnston, The Storming of Stony Point' (New York 1900).