SOME OF WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS
An automobile was hired for the day, and as early as was practical, the
party started for Bronx Park. Here they took a quick survey of the
horticultural gardens and stopped a short time at the zoo, then on to
the historic points of Fordham and the Bronx. Then they visited the
stately mansion of the old Morris family on the Harlem River, where
Washington had made his headquarters during the time he was in New York
with his army.
From this place, the party went to White Plains, and saw the places
still remaining to mark the points of historic interest. Thence to
Dobb's Ferry, where the fine old house used by Washington for his
headquarters had been purchased by a rich American, and restored to its
original state.
The visitors crossed the river at this place and went to Fort Lee, but
nothing of interest could be found here.
"It is much like the man himself! General Lee ruined his character and
honor when he permitted the British to capture him in dressing gown and
slippers!" scorned Mrs. Parke, who had always felt the utmost contempt
for this disobedient American.
"I wish we had time to cross from here and visit Morristown--it is not
so far in distance, but have we time to-day?" ventured Mrs. Davis.
"I have an idea!" exclaimed Mr. Parke. "What do you say if we wire the
garage in New York that we will not return till to-morrow? We can then
go to Newburgh and West Point, and later on to Morristown, and remain
there for the night at some first-class hotel. It will be a relief to
get away from the din of the New York streets, and rest in the quiet
peace of a suburban town."
"We would not reach Morristown till long after dinner," said Mrs.
Parke, thinking of the tiresome ride for the children.
"Well, ask the chauffeurs about it--they ought to know the distance and
time it would take to go from Newburgh to Morristown," said Mrs. Davis.
Both chauffeurs declared that it was too late to think of visiting West
Point and Newburgh that day, and to cross-country to Morristown was a
very poor road to travel. So it was decided to return to the city and
start the next morning for West Point on the small steamer running
between that point and New York. In this way, the children could see the
grand old Hudson and its sights. If it were possible, and the day fair,
they would drive to Morristown and the places in its vicinity made
famous by Revolutionary tactics.
Mrs. Graham had arranged with her aunt that John and she would remain at
home all of the following day to meet friends and distant relatives of
the family. Thus John was disappointed in this trip up the Hudson, for
he would have much preferred to be with his friends, than sit in a
darkened old city mansion, listening to folks talk about their family.
Early on the following day, therefore, the Parkes and Davises sailed up
the Hudson, passing the Sailors' Monument and Grant's Tomb on the way.
The Palisades attracted admiration, for the foliage of late fall
glorified the steep cliffs of the river.
Past Yonkers, called "Younkers" in the old Dutch days, they sailed
again, passing Dobb's Ferry, where they had visited the day before, and
so on to Stony Point.
"Who can tell the story of Stony Point?" asked Mr. Parke.
The children looked at each other, but they seemed anxious not to
venture information which might be incorrect, so Mrs. Parke decided to
help them over the difficulty.
"Fortifications had been started at West Point, as it looked more
defensible than positions lately occupied by Fort Clinton and Fort
Montgomery. But the works at West Point were far from completion, and
Washington knew that communication must be kept open between the middle
and eastern states. Detachments of his army occupied positions on both
sides the river, commanding the ferry and protecting the incomplete
works above. On the west bank, stationed on an elevated section of
ground called Stony Point, defences had been started but were far from
being completed. On the east bank, a small fort called Lafayette's on
Verplanck's Point, projecting out into the river, was nearer completion
than the works on the other side.
"Now, the intention of the British was to reduce both these works and
capture West Point, along with Washington's division, and perhaps, that
of the State of the Confederacy.
"The unfinished works at Stony Point, garrisoned by but forty men, was
too weak to defend itself against Clinton's large division of the
British army, landing on the eastern bank of the river, placed under
command of Vaughan, so it was abandoned after setting fire to the
block-house. The garrison took stores and ammunition with them, and
Clinton took possession of it without opposition. During the night he
had cannon and mortars brought up and planted on the brow of the hill,
opposite the fort on the other side of the river.
"At five o'clock in the morning, a heavy fire was opened upon Fort
Lafayette by the command at Stony Point, and two vessels in the river
managed to pass the fort, thus cutting off all chance of escape by
water. General Vaughan made a circuit by land, thus completely
surrounding the little garrison of seventy men. Captain Armstrong, the
commander of the fort, and his men, held out all day and then
capitulated.
"Clinton ordered both forts completed at once, but Washington, having
heard of the British general's advance up the river, had strengthened
West Point and taken up a strong position at Smith's Cove, so that the
English found it unwise to attack the American forces at that time.
Besides Staten Island was threatened in his absence, so he left
garrisons at the two posts captured, and retired to Phillipsburg, to be
ready to assist in New York and its dependencies, or at either of the
other captured forts if necessary.
"A garrison of 1000 men was left at Stony Point, and one of 5000 men at
Fort Lafayette, but Clinton determined to draw the American army, so he
sent Tryon with 2600 men into Connecticut. After pillaging New Haven and
destroying property at Fairfield, Norwalk and Greenfield, laying the
towns in ashes, and treating the people with the greatest brutality, he
essayed to treat New London in the same manner, but the people were
roused to such a degree, by the reports from their neighboring towns,
that they opposed Tryon successfully. Hence he returned to New York to
boast of his exploits.
"News of the invasion of Connecticut was late in reaching Washington, as
he was visiting outposts in the vicinity of Stony Point. He understood
the design of Clinton, however, so did not weaken his forces in the
Highlands to assist the troops in Connecticut; on the contrary, he
planned a counter-attack on Stony Point, which, if successful, would
alarm Clinton and induce him to recall the detachment from Connecticut,
to defend the outpost on the river.
"Secrecy was one of the essential things to the success of this plan.
One brigade was ordered to march so as to reach the scene of the action
about the time the troops engaged in the attack, and so render
assistance should disaster befall them.
"As you can see from the boat here, Stony Point is a hill projecting far
out into the river, with three sides washed by the Hudson, and the other
side attached to the mainland by a deep marsh.
"Over this marsh there was but one crossing-place, but where it joins
with the river there is a sandy beach. On the summit of the hill stood
the fort. Besides the garrison there were some vessels stationed in the
river to command the foot of the fort.
"At half-past eleven at night, two columns of Continentals marched with
unloaded muskets, and bayonets fixed, preceded by a forlorn hope of
twenty men. They crossed the marsh undiscovered, and at twenty minutes
to twelve, commenced the assault.
"Surmounting every obstacle, they mounted and entered the works without
discharging a single musket. They obtained possession of the fort,
without the display of cruelty so prevalent in the British ranks,
although sixty-three of the garrison were killed. The prisoners amounted
to upward of five hundred, and the value of the military stores taken
was considerable.
"An attempt was made on the opposite fort but failed. This failure, with
the fifteen hundred men it would take to garrison Stony Point against
the enemy's shipping, caused Washington to demolish and abandon the
fort. But Clinton re-occupied and repaired it again immediately.
"Then Washington established his headquarters at West Point in July, and
from that time to December, he gave his attention to the completion of
the works at that post."
"Look on the right, children! There you will see the Verplanck's Point
your aunt has just been describing to you as holding Fort Lafayette,"
called Mr. Davis, pointing out the spot to the eager children.
From that point on till the boat reached Newburgh, the elders
entertained the children with various descriptions of places passed.
After visiting the headquarters at Newburgh, and going on to visit West
Point, where the children were deeply interested in watching the cadets
practice, they returned to the landing where they intended taking the
boat back to New York. But they were too late. It had gone half an hour
before they reached the dock.
"That means we must go back by train," said Mr. Parke.
"We'll get to New York much earlier than expected. We might accomplish
some other visit," suggested Mrs. Davis.
"Oh, no. The return will mean that we will have time for rest before
starting the trip to Morristown to-morrow," said Mrs. Parke.
So that evening was really the first quiet or restful one enjoyed since
the travellers reached New York. And in the morning, all were eager to
continue their historical visits.
Through the flats of Hackensack and across the Passaic, the party rode,
the elders pointing out various places that might interest the children.
At Newark nothing of moment was found to convey any picture of
Washington's campaign to the youthful admirers, so they continued on to
Morristown.
Here they visited the old Fort Nonsense on the ridge, back of the town,
and then inspected the headquarters, where a fine collection of
furniture and other relics was kept on exhibition by the Washington
Association of New Jersey.
Later they drove through Baskingridge and cross-country to Pluckimin and
thus on to Brunswick. Trenton was passed through on the homeward route,
and then on to Jersey City, and across the ferry to New York. In going
through Trenton the old hall and other historic buildings were pointed
out to the children.
That night George had a suggestion to offer.
"We've done nothing but see, and _see_, and _see_ places since we've
landed here from home, and I say that we now do something different."
"But this trip was planned to show you children all we could to
enlighten you on history," replied Mrs. Parke.
"I feel so light that it would take little to waft me up to the sky,"
said Martha, hoping so to create sympathy.
"Now that we have completed the round of places to be visited in the
interests of Revolutionary history, suppose we continue on our way to
Philadelphia. There is a mine of historical places to be visited in and
about that city; besides we will be home and we won't have to bother
like we do in a hotel," said Mrs. Davis.
"I second that motion!" cried Jack.
"But our week of vacation is not yet over in New York," argued Mr.
Parke.
"Well, why not leave you two men behind to finish up your week, while we
go on with the children to prepare the people of the Quaker City for the
unexpected coming of the Little Washingtons?" laughed Mrs. Parke.
"Do say yes, father!" begged Martha.
"I see! My own daughter wants to get away from my company!" exclaimed
Mr. Parke tragically.
"We wouldn't if you were finished with your business affairs, but we
know right well what will happen if we tear you away now! It will mean a
delay all 'round," said Mrs. Parke, from former experiences.
"Well, then Sam and I will say 'good riddance' and send you off on the
morrow's train from the Pennsylvania Station," agreed Mr. Parke.