Fort Montgomery State Historic Site

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site
690 Route 9W
Fort Montgomery, NY 10922
(845) 446-2134

From the outbreak of open hostilities between Americans and the British, the strategic importance of the Hudson River was obvious to both sides, as it was the major means for transportation of supplies and troops throughout a large portion of the Northeast. Within a month of the first open armed conflict in Lexington, Massachusetts, the Continental Congress had passed a resolution to construct fortifications along the Hudson River in order to retain control of that waterway.

A location was selected at the southern gateway to the Hudson Highlands, an Appalachian Mountain region enveloping a narrow and deep stretch of the Hudson River. Construction began on Fort Montgomery in March, 1776, at the spot where the world-renowned Popolopen Creek reaches the west bank and across from Anthony’s Nose, a peak on the east bank that was well known in Colonial times. Overlooking the river was a battery of six 32-pound cannons, and facing landward were redoubts (outward projections enabling fort defenders to fire on enemies close to the outer wall) connected by ramparts (earthen embankments). A chain and boom were stretched across the river from Anthony’s Nose to Fort Montgomery. On the southern bank of Popolopen Creek was an elevated terrace with a full view of Fort Montgomery, so a smaller fortification named Fort Clinton was built there as well.

Fort Montgomery was commanded by New York Governor George Clinton, who was a General in the Continental Army.

In June 1777, British General John Burgoyne began an attempt to gain control of the Hudson River Valley by moving south from Quebec. After an initial victory at the Battle of Ticonderoga, his campaign become bogged down in logistical difficulties, and he didn’t reach Saratoga (about 20 miles north of Albany) until mid-September. Burgoyne expected to receive support from British troops based in New York City, and was proceeding in accordance with the assumption that the forces would meet at Albany. On October 3, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton started up the Hudson River with 3,000 men in three frigates and a number of smaller vessels.

On October 6, 1777, a combined force of roughly 2,100 Loyalists, Hessians, and British regulars attacked Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton from the landward side, while British ships on the Hudson River supplied supporting cannon fire. By the end of the day, both forts had fallen to the British, who burned the forts and tore down the stonework buildings. Although both forts were lost, the reinforcements for which Burgoyne was waiting in Saratoga could not arrive in time. He was forced to surrender ten days later, his reinforcements still far to the south.

After capturing Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton the British dismantled the chain across the Hudson River and raided upriver as far as Kingston, New York. The British never attempted to run ships through the chain, preferring to risk everything in order to capture the forts and take down the chain. The idea of obstructing the river seemed sound, and a few months later work began on the stronger Great Chain at West Point.

Archeologists have revealed many of Fort Montgomery’s remains, including stone foundations of barracks, the gunpowder magazine and eroded redoubt walls. The Visitor Center showcases an impressive assortment of original artifacts and weapons uncovered during the archaeological excavations, and a fifteen minute orientation movie provides a highly professional reenactment of the battle that resulted in the fort’s destruction. What is most unique and fascinating, however, is the walk along the trail through the excavated ruins, thanks to the excellent series of interpretive panels that explain the significance of each find and illustrate how each structure most likely appeared during the Revolutionary War.

Fort Montgomery overlooked this narrow stretch of the Hudson River. Here we’re facing south, and the Bear Mountain Bridge spans the river, reaching Anthony’s Nose on the Westchester County (east) side.

Archeological artifacts recovered from Fort Montgomery are on display in the Visitor Center. Shown here are a couple of links from the iron chain that stretched across the river at this location. Some iron axe heads recovered at the site are visible in the lower right.

With 8-foot-thick walls, Fort Montgomery’s powder magazine provided a secure, dry place in which to store the garrison’s gunpowder and ammunition. The magazine was located here because of the site’s good drainage (it’s in a high spot) and because of the protection afforded by the rock ridge between it and the river (to the left, flowing past us southward towards the top of the photo). Loose powder was stored here in 100-pound barrels until it was used to make cartridges for muskets and cannons.

Parts from muskets and swords, along with musket balls and cannon balls, reveal some of the types of weapons used at Fort Montgomery. Many of the buttons indicate military units that helped build the fort or that fought at the battle.

The top photo shows a Powder Horn, a device used to carry gunpowder, generally created from a cow or buffalo horn. They were commonly used with eighteenth century muskets, but were rendered obsolete by the development of breech loading fire arms. The use of animal horns ensured that the powder would not be detonated by sparks during storage and loading. The second photo shows a pistol from the Scottish Highlands.

This was the only Soldier’s Necessary, or privy, known to have existed at Fort Montgomery. It’s difficult to imagine that this one small building served the needs of hundreds of soldiers, so it’s likely that others existed.

In privies, archaeologists usually find large quantities of discarded material like bottles and broken dishes, as well as coins and buttons. Relatively little was found here, possibly indicating that this necessary was kept in readiness in case the fort was besieged.