Ramapo Torne

The entrance to one of the most important passageways of the Revolutionary War was guarded by the peak called "Ramapo Torne."

The passageway was called "The Clove." It led from New Jersey through the "Highlands" to the storehouses at Newburgh and Fishkill. It also led to the ferry at Fishkill that connected the colonies of New England with the rest of the rebels.

Today that passageway is the route of trains and cars. The New York Thruway (I-87) uses that route to get from New York City to Albany.

Location of the Clove. North of New York City and West of the Hudson River, ©2015 Google

Entering the Clove at its southern opening, every driver stares straight ahead at the peak called "Ramapo Torne." Soon the road swings left and passes to the west of the ridge.

Entrance to "The Clove" at Suffern, New York.  This area was referred to as Ramapo during the Revolutionary War.  ©2015 Google

In January of 1777, the militia companies of Ulster County were stationed close to the base of this hill. They were on alert for British forces that had captured New York City the previous fall. Included were some men from the regiment of Jonathan Hasbrouck. No musters exist, but it is likely that Joel Campbell or some of his sons were at "Ramapo" as they were in Hasbrouck's Newburgh regiment. The forces were led by Brigadier General George Clinton who would be elected the first governor of the state of New York before the year was over.

On the 12th of January 1777, Colonel Hasbrouck listed his officers who were on duty at Ramapo.  He named two captains,  one of whom was Bondawine Tarpening who led the company of which the Campbells were members.  That company had 22 privates on guard, 16 AWOL, 6 cooks, and 2 sick.

On the 16th of January, Hasbrouck received orders to relieve his 100 men at Ramapo with 100 fresh men. The companies of Tarpening and Robinson were to be replaced with other companies. It was not unusual for a person of means to pay another person to serve in his stead. It could have been that a younger Campbell entered into one of those arrangements and continued at Ramapo as a replacement for a member of another Newburgh company of militia.

By March, the recruiting for regular troops for the "1777 Campaign" was in full swing.  In the meantime, other troops had been "levied" for shorter durations. One group of Ulster County Levies of Militia was at Ramapo under Colonel Pawling. One of his captains was James Milliken of Hanover. His normal militia company contained Joel's brothers, Levi and Samuel. The muster only lists officers, so we do not know if they were part of the Ramapo guard on this date. Milliken would not see the end of the year as he would be one of the many casualties at the Battle of Fort Montgomery.

By summer, the post at Ramapo was being guarded by regular troops. The militia's role had changed to building the obstructions on the Hudson River and the Forts Clinton and Montgomery.

British ships started sailing up the Long Island Sound in the middle of July. George Washington feared an attack on Connecticut or Westchester, New York. He moved the main Army up to The Clove at Ramapo. From there he could move quickly either back down to New Jersey and Philadelphia or across the Hudson River to Connecticut.

Here in The Clove, George Washington conferred with General George Clinton. I like to think that they rode to the top of Ramapo Torne. There they could have rested on the rocky outcrops, baked hot by the July sun. Below they could see the encampments of their troops, resting from their march, cooking food, or bathing in the Ramapo River. In the distance they could watch the sails on the Hudson River all the way down to New York City.

View South from Ramapo Torne. I-87 bridge over Ramapo River is visible on the right.

Zoom of New York Skyline from Ramapo Torne.

Camp Ramapough marker behind Mt Fuji at 41.129496, -74.171845.  It reads, "This tablet marks the site of the post  at Ramapough or Sidman's Bridge...in honor of the Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War who were stationed here from 1776 to 1781."

Ramapo Torne from hill now occupied by Mt Fuji Restaurant.

Another plaque located on the other side of I-87 at about 60 Torne Valley Road, 41.130020, -74.165311.