West Point Fortifications - Redoubts

The militias to which the Campbells belonged, were often called to work on the fortifications at West Point.  Records show that they were typically called on one-week tours of duty.  Occasionally there were three month "levies" of service.  Sometimes they were "exempted" if they were working on other war related efforts in Newburgh such as building the chain or boom, making clothes/tents/arms, or transporting goods as drivers or wagoners.

There were three redoubts on the East side of the river: North, Middle (or South), and Sugarloaf (which appears to have been abandoned before the end of the war).  There is no indication that Campbell ancestors worked on these relatively minor fortifications, but there is a possibility.  More likely the redoubts were built by regulars or Westchester county militia.

Washington had special interest in these redoubts as they were principally his idea in early 1780.  On his return from a conversation with the French generals in Hartford, he decided to take a slight detour to inspect the redoubts.  His entourage probably groaned as they knew a breakfast was awaiting them at the Robinson House.  The Robinson House was the nicest home in the area and West Point commanders had made a practice of making it their headquarters, even though it was a ferry ride across the river from their command.  Washington's companions may have also been looking forward to the company of Peggy Shippen, General Benedict Arnold's very young bride.

The North Redoubt was probably manned be no more that a dozen men.  A simple fortification of dirt, stone, and logs.  It was so far from the river that it may have been used more as a lookout than an offensive position.  Imagine this spot with no trees, for there is no doubt none existed in 1780 as all of them had been cut for fires or fortifications.

Standing on one side of the ruins of North Redoubt looking Northeast.

What remains of this redoubt are only a few mounds of dirt and rocks that show a square outline about 30 feet on each side.  Undoubtedly Washington had a few words of advice for the surprised garrison.

He would have next proceeded to the Middle Redoubt. The map shows a bit more complex fortification than the North Redoubt.

Map on Marquis at Middle Redoubt

Ruins of Middle Redoubt

Remains of fortification C at Middle Redoubt

View of West Point and Constitution Island from Middle Redoubt

In this picture you can see the river flows from Newburgh Bay in the far distance.  It flows in front of "Butter Hill" and the "Crow's Nest" then takes a left turn by "Constitution Island", then turns right around West Point (leaving this picture on the left).  The famous chain was strung across the river from the "Point" to Constitution Island.

The cannon at Middle Redoubt was fired only for celebration, it was never attacked.  On May 31, 1782  the cannon was the last to be discharged in a feu de joie which started on the west side of the river and traveled up to Fort Putnam, over to Constitution Island, to North Redoubt and finally to South Redoubt.  A feu de joie is a sequential firing of guns down a line of soldiers.  In this case, the line was very long!

Washington arrived at the Robinson House just a few hours after Arnold had realized his plot had been uncovered.  He ran upstairs to kiss his wife and new baby, saddled his horse, and galloped down to the Landing.  His barge was waiting.  He deceived the oarsmen to bring him to a British ship that was waiting just a few miles down river.

Would the story have been different if Washington had not visited the redoubts?


The redoubts can be reached by trail from Hwy 11.  There is parking on the north side of the road just west of a bridge over a stream.  The trail starts on the south side of the road directly opposite the entrance to the Hoving Home.

Hiking map to North and Middle (South) Redoubts

Bonus picture!   On the day of my hike, January 26, 2014, the high temperature was about 16F.  The Hudson was ice covered down to the GW Bridge. Two cutters keep a lane open in the middle of the river.  Gasoline and fuel oil are common cargoes.  In the picture below, West Point Military Academy is in the background.  This is taken from about the town of Garrison.  It almost the exact spot where Benedict Arnold made his escape in 1780 after his plot to deliver West Point to the British was uncovered.