March Newsletter 3.1.13

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Hessian Lake and Montgomery Trail Hike

Fort Montgomery (Bear Mountain)

Hello 5th Brooklyn Scout Families,

Our first big trip will be February 23rd. We will be taking the Scouts on a hike to the Fort Montgomery State Historical Site up near Bear Mountain. This 3.25 mile  hike winds through a park and a zoo, around a lake, and through a Revolutionary War site adjacent to the Hudson River. The Bear Mountain Trailside Zoo houses only animals native to New York State, such as bear, bobcat, beaver, and otter, that have been found injured or abandoned. The zoo also includes four museums: Reptile and Amphibian House, home to a variety of turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and skinks; Nature Study Museum, created by the Museum of Natural History to teach children about animal identification; Geology Museum, where visitors learn about the geology of the Hudson Highlands; and History Museum, which explores local Native American and early settler culture. The zoo is free and parking is only $8 per vehicle.

After a tour of the zoo, we can visit their Historical Museum to learn about the Twin Forts. Trailside was built on the ruins of Fort Clinton and there is a hiking trail that leads to the Ft. Montgomery State Historic Site (See last page for history). It takes about 15-20 minutes to hike each way, then we can explore the interpreted site ruins for as long a time as we like. They do not suggest this hike if the surface is going to be icy or snow covered, so if that is the case we will improvise as there are many other trails in the area that stem off from this trail.

The gate to Ft. Montgomery from Trailside is open from 10:00 to 4:00pm. We will plan on meeting at the old Windsor Terrace Key Food Parking lot at 589 Prospect Avenue between 10^th and 11^th avenue around 8:30 AM, departing around 8:45 am. This should allow us time to arrive at the location right around 10 . We will plan on splitting the Otters and Timberwolves into two groups and each will have proficiency advancements to work on while we hike and learn. Because this could be a long day for some of the younger scouts, we will have the option for two times for car pools to leave back to Brooklyn.

Schedule of Events

8:30 – 8:45 – Carpools leave Brooklyn

10am – Arrive at hiking trails; assemble & start hike

12:30 – Complete hike; picnic lunch

1pm – Visit zoo/fort

1:45pm – First carpools leave site for Brooklyn

2:30 3:00 pm – Second set of carpools to leave Brooklyn.

Please consider this link as the RSVP.

http://tinyurl.com/c3oqgse

If we do not receive this form by February 19th it will be hard to plan transportation appropriately, so please submit by then.

Please fill in the “Parent Info” at the top of this form, followed by the scout info at the bottom. If you will be driving but you do not have a scout attending, please leave the “About Your Scout(s)” blank. If two parents are attending and you have a scout please fill out this form for each parent. Please be sure to indicate which time you would prefer to return.

Thanks!

Yours in Traditional Scouting,

Todd Schweikert
Group Scoutmaster
5th Brooklyn Scouts B-PSA US
GroupScoutmaster@5thBrooklynScouts.org
http://www.5thbrooklynscouts.org
https://www.facebook.com/5thBrooklynScouts

Directions and Info on Trailside

Trailside Museums & Zoo

http://www.trailsidezoo.org

Trailside Museums & Zoo is located at Bear Mountain State Park, on the western bank of the Hudson River.

From NYC and New Jersey: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway North (about 41 miles) to the end at the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. Follow signs to Bear Mountain State Park.

	589 Prospect Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215
	1. Head southeast on Prospect Ave toward 11th Ave
		0.1 mi
	2. Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Terrace Pl
		453 ft
	3. Turn right onto 18th St
		256 ft
	4. Take the State New York 27 W/Prospect Expy ramp on the left to I-278/Brooklyn – Queens Expy
		0.2 mi
	5. Merge onto Prospect Expy
		1.0 mi
	6. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-278 E/Bklyn-Qns Expy/Queens/Bronx and merge onto I-278 E
		0.8 mi
	7. Slight left onto Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (signs for Battery Tunnel/Manhattan) Toll road
		2.3 mi
	8. Take the New York 9A exit
		262 ft
	9. Turn right onto New York 9A N/West St Continue to follow New York 9A N
		10.2 mi
	10. Take exit 14 for I-95/George Washington Bridge toward Cross Bronx Expy/W 178 St
		0.4 mi
	11. Keep left at the fork to continue toward Interstate 95 Upper Level S/George Washington Bridge
		98 ft
	12. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 95 Upper Level S/New Jersey/George Washington Bridge and merge onto Interstate 95 Upper Level S/George Washington Bridge Entering New Jersey
		1.4 mi
	13. Take exit 74 toward Palisades Parkway
		0.6 mi
	14. Merge onto Palisades Interstate Pkwy N Entering New York
		34.3 mi
	15. Continue onto US-6 E
		2.5 mi
	16. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto US-202 W/US-9W S Destination will be on the left
		0.3 mi
	Bear Mountain Trailside Museums & Zoo Highlands, NY

BATTLE OF THE TWIN FORTS CLINTON & MONTGOMERY October 6, 1777.

Grand Scheme – With the outbreak of armed hostilities between America and Great Britain on April 19th, 1775 — the strategic importance of the Hudson River was quickly realized by both sides. If the British gained control of the River they would effectively sever New England from the rest of the Colonies, and choke the American cause. To prevent such an event, Forts Clinton & Montgomery were constructed in the Hudson Highlands to protect the great chain that had been floated across the River on rafts to stop British warships from sailing northward.

In 1777 the British planned to gain control of the Hudson by having General Burgoyne march south from Canada along Lake Champlain… joining forces at Albany with Barry St. Leger moving east through the Mohawk Valley, and with Sir William Howe advancing upriver from New York City.

Meanwhile, contrary to plans, General Howe sailed to Philadelphia leaving Sir Henry Clinton in command of the Hudson River expedition. On October 4th, Clinton sailed north from New York City, making a deceptive show of force towards Peekskill on the 5th. This maneuver confused the American commander in charge of the Highland defenses (Major General Israel Putnam) into thinking that the British were interested in capturing the American ammunition depot on the east side of the River. Aided by a foggy morning on the day of the battle, Sir Henry Clifton’s forces were able to land on the west shore of the Hudson and approach the Twin Forts before Putnam realized their true intent … too late for reinforcements to aide the besieged Americans.

Protagonists – The Twin Forts were commanded by Brigadier General George Clinton, Governor of New York State. His brother, Brigadier General James Clinton was post commandant at Fort Clinton on the occasion of its heroic, but unsuccessful defense. They were opposed by a distant relative, Sir Henry Clinton, who designed and executed the surprise attack which caused the destruction of all that the Americans had labored upon for more than two years.

References – The following account is based on excerpts from the Bear Mountain Trailside Museum’s publication, “Twin Forts of the Popolopen”, Historical Bulletin No. 1, 1937 (no longer in print), by William H. Carr, and Richard J. Koke. Quoted paragraphs are followed by page numbers.

Landing (6 AM) – The eerie light of a fog greeted the opposing forces on the morning of the sixth (Oct. 6th) … Daylight was breaking as flat boats, filled with (British) soldiers, were rowed to the landing place (Kings Ferry at Stony Point).

March (8 AM) – The red-coated regulars, the green clad Loyalists, and their hired allies (Hessians) reached “the pass” near the summit of Dunderberg Mountain at approximately eight o’clock. (Failure of the Americans to defend this pass contributed greatly to the loss of the Forts) …. After a short rest the army traversed the mountaintop and descended the northern slope toward Doodletown.

At Doodletown the British divided their forces. The right column under Major General Vaughan consisted of 1200 British and Hessian troops. The left column under Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell consisted of 900 British & Loyalist troops. The undermanned American forts were defended by a total of 500 to 600 men.

With the separation of Vaughan and Campbell at Doodletown, the advance guard turned west and north, through the deep valley between Bear Hill (Mt.) and the slope of Dunderberg Mountain. Tolling out of the defile and moving to the rear of Bear Hill, they at length crossed Popolopen Creek and commenced the ascent of a rocky knob known as, “Torne Hill”.

Skirmishes (2 PM) – Governor Clinton desired to gain time in order to permit the expected reinforcements to relieve the American defenses (never arrived)… (He ordered a) field piece in Fort Montgomery out upon the road leading to the iron works at the Forest of Dean Mine. This road intersected the path upon which Campbell was now marching near Torne Hill.

The field piece was placed at least a mile from Fort Montgomery, on the steep, rocky slope and the covering party took their posts. The hill falls away rather precipitously to the rapid waters of Popolopen kill below. Today this deep, narrow, wild gorge bears the appropriate name— the Hellhole.

(Captain) Feno had hardly established the cannon before the British were observed advancing with “hasty strides”. He opened a well directed fire, and, aided by the covering party, succeeded in throwing Campbell’s men into confusion… as the unexpected barrage rained down.

… Campbell deployed flanking parties into the woods on both sides of the road with a view of surrounding the small opposing force. This movement caused great alarm among the handful of “brave fellows” and necessitated the prompt spiking and abandonment of the piece before the gunners were driven from their post by fixed bayonets.

Governor Clinton had fortunately hurried out a twelve pounder to cover the men in their retreat and to further delay the enemy … The Americans fell back in good order to their second position and opened fire once more with grape shot … The piece must have been soon abandoned but it afforded the Americans an opportunity to retreat to the fort with very little loss (but Feno was captured).

Meanwhile, a skirmish soon followed near Fort Clinton. The Americans had posted their command behind a stone wall half a mile in front of the Fort. The location of this engagement is marked upon a boulder near the present site of the Bear Mountain Inn (where the Crafts Fair area is today).

The Americans, behind the advanced position, opened a galling fire upon the British, but (Major General) Vaughan… forced the defenders, “too weak to stand the enemy’s great force,” slowly back to the main defense.

Defenses – The Landmark Map shows modern and old sites in and about the forts.

Attacks (2-5 PM) – The British pressed forward continually, rushing up to the walls only to be beaten back again and again by the defenders, half of whom had neither a spear nor a bayonet to resist the attack. For three hours throughout that long, weary afternoon, from the hour of two until the growing dusk of evening the plucky defenders remained at their posts behind the protecting works. The roar of the artillery was continuous.

At five o’clock the order was given for the British ships to commence action. A steady bombardment was begun and heavy missiles were directed at the works upon the heights and also at the American flotilla north of the chain. The fire was briskly returned from the American forts and boats, and a heavy barrage was exchanged while disastrous events were taking place in the rear.

Parley (5 PM) – At five, Campbell himself went forward with a white flag of truce before Fort Montgomery. Governor Clinton sent … Lieutenant-Colonel William S. Livingston from the works to discover the nature of the British officer’s errand… Campbell demanded the surrender of the fort and garrison within five minutes to prevent further bloodshed. Livingston answered that Forts Clinton and Montgomery would be defended to the last extremity, and added that if the British, in their turn, would surrender, they could depend upon being well treated.

Destruction (5-6 PM) – Day was fast drawing to a close, and the dusk of evening enveloped the mountains. Ten minutes after the opposing officers had concluded their conference, the British launched a powerful and concentrated attack upon the upper fort (Montgomery). Campbell, leading the assault, at the head of his own regiment, was killed in the first onrush. The charge of the British proved to be irresistible. Haggard American troops at the walls were weary after hours of continual struggling, which required every man to be upon constant duty. They resisted obstinately but were outnumbered and unable to defend every point of the sprawling works.

(Across the Popolopen Creek to the south, General Vaughan’s troops were storming Fort Clinton). Having no time to lose, it was particularly directed that not a shot be fired and that the men rely solely upon bayonetted muskets.

The heavily armed soldiers pressed forward under a steady fire of round and grape shot, scrambling over the rocks and picking their way through fallen trees of the abbatis. They came to the foot of the works, where they actually pushed one another up upon the walls. One after another of the British troops fell, shot or bayonetted as the garrison beat them back… but the defenders were no match for the trained troops who, eventually, cleared the parapets and entered the fort, driving all before them.

Escape (6:30-8 PM) – The fight was practically over… It was no longer a struggle to retain the forts, but one of escape. Those of the garrisons who broke out of the works had to hack and slash their way through the opposition. Favored by the growing dusk, which spread its mantle over the scenes of strife and contention, many officers and men, well acquainted with the ground, managed to stumble out of the forts and lose themselves to pursuit in the gloom.

Governor Clinton succeeded in crossing the river in a boat. His brother, James, also escaped although wounded in the thigh with a bayonet.

Loss – Two hundred and sixty-three Americans were taken prisoner (& 100 + killed). British losses included 40 killed, plus the death of Campbell and other officers.

The final tragedy of the day was yet to come. The Inadequately manned American ships in the river above the chain were vainly trying to beat their way upstream in the face of a strong ebb tide … At ten o’clock that night the Montgomery (and Congress) and two row galleys were doomed to the funeral pyre. The dark night was suddenly illuminated by flames reflecting on the steep face of the mountain (Anthony’s Nose) as echoing explosions left all in darkness again.

Resolution – Soon after the battle the British continued upriver with a fleet of 30 vessels & 1600 troops. On October 16th, General Vaughan attacked and burned Kingston, NY. Then, on learning of the surrender of their northern army at Saratoga, and the defeat of St. Leger at Oriskany… they returned to New York City, burning everything at Forts Clinton & Montgomery on their way downriver. Thus ended the elaborate campaign to divide the Colonies by controlling the Hudson Valley… a lost opportunity for the British that ultimately marked the turning point of the war in favor of the American cause.

TODAY

Historic Trails

As an American Bicentennial project in 1976, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission established two historic trails through the Bear Mountain Park. One follows the route of Anthony Wayne’s forces to their successful attack on the British fortress at Stony Point in 1779. The other follows the march of the British Army in the defeat of the Twin Forts in 1777.1 The Rockland County Scout Council, Franck Road, Stony Point, NY 10980 … offers a trail patch and separate medals to Scouts hiking either trail. The Twin Forts medal is pictured here.

Trailside Museum

The Park Commission also maintains historical exhibits on the grounds of Fort Clinton at Bear Mountain State Park. Here one can see dioramas showing the course of the battle. The remains of the Outer Redoubt can also be seen where the American defenders made their last stand in the face of British bayonets.