***"The General, Governor Clinton, and General James [Clinton], an Engineer, and your humble servant were at the forts yesterday, viewing the River, Bluffs, Points, &c., in order to erect some further obstructions, which are immediately set about. The Boom will be near Fort Constitution, and a work on the west shore to defend it."​1

"I know of no other method of obstructing the passage of Hudson's River, but by Chevaux-de‑frise,  p49 Chains, and Booms, well defended by heavy artillery and strong works on the shore. The former is impracticable at any place lower down than where the present are, near this place; and even there, the river is rather too wide to admit of their being properly defended; they may, however, when completed, be a very considerable obstruction. This with a chain or boom, at a part of the river called the West Point, where it is quite narrow, and the wind, owing to the crookedness of the river, very uncertain, with proper works on the shore to defend it, and water-batteries on shore calculated to annoy shipping, would in my opinion, perfectly obstruct the navigation." ***"We have a boom, calculated for the narrow part of the river, well forward, but our works go on extremely slow indeed, for want of tools,"​2 &c. ***

"Head-Quarters, 2d December, 1777.

"Dear Sir:— The importance of the Hudson River in the present contest, and the necessity of defending it, are subjects which have been so frequently and fully  p50 discussed, and are so well understood, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them. These facts at once appear, when it is considered that it runs through a whole State; that it is the only passage by which the enemy from New York, or any part of our coast, can ever hope to co-operate with an army from Canada; that the possession of it is indispensably essential to preserve the communication between the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States; and further, that upon its security, in a great measure, depend our chief supplies of flour for the subsistence of such forces as we may have occasion for, in the course of the war, either in the Eastern or Northern Departments, or in the country lying up high on the west side of it. These facts are familiar to all; they are familiar to you. I therefore request you, in the most urgent terms, to turn your most serious and active attention to this infinitely important object. Seize the present opportunity, and employ your whole force and all the means in your power for erecting and completing, as far as it shall be possible, such works and obstructions as may be necessary to defend and secure the river against any future attempts of the enemy. You will consult Governor Clinton, General Parsons, and the French engineer, Lieutenant-Colonel Radière, upon the occasion. By gaining the passage, you know the enemy have already laid waste and destroyed all the houses, mills and towns accessible to them. Unless proper measures are taken to prevent them, they will renew their ravages in the spring, or as soon as the season will admit, and perhaps Albany, the only town in the State of any importance remaining in our hands, may undergo a like fate, and a general havoc and devastation take place.

 p51  "To prevent these evils, therefore, I shall expect that you will exert every nerve, and employ your whole force in future, while and whenever it is practicable, in constructing and forwarding the proper works and means of defence. The troops must not be kept out on command, and acting in detachments to cover the country below, which is a consideration infinitely less important and interesting.

"I am, dear Sir," &c.

"Thursday, Jan. 8, 1778.

"Application being made by Major-General Putnam, Commanding Officer of the Middle Department, that this Convention would appoint a committee to confer with him relative to the necessary works to be constructed for the defences of the passes in the Highlands —

"Resolved, That the General's request be complied with, and that Mr. Scott, Mr. Pawling, Mr. Wisner, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Killian Van Rensselaer, Mr. Drake, Mr. Hathorn, and Mr. Hoffman, be a committee for that purpose."​4

"Wednesday, January 14th, 1778.

"Your Committee, who were sent to ascertain the place for fixing a chain and erecting fortifications for obstructing the navigation of the Hudson River, beg leave to report, That they have carefully reviewed the ground on which Fort Clinton lately stood, and its environs, and find that the ground is so intersected with long, deep hollows, that the enemy might approach without any annoyance from the garrison within the Fort, to within a few yards of the walls, unless a redoubt should be raised to clear the hollows next the Fort, which must be built at such distance from the Fort that it could not be supported from thence in case of an assault, so that the enemy might make themselves masters of the redoubt the first dark night after their landing, which would be a good work, ready to their hand, for annoying  p54 the Fort and facilitating their operations against it; and, together with the eminences and broken grounds within a short distance of the Fort, would render it impossible for the garrison to resist a general assault for many hours together. Another objection that appeared to the Committee was the want of earth on the spot, which would reduce the engineer to the necessity of erecting his works entirely of timber, which must be brought to Pooploop's​a Kill in rafts, and from thence drawn up a steep and difficult road to the top of the hill. The rafts cannot be made till the water is warm enough for men to work in it, by which it is probable that a Fort cannot be erected before the ships of the enemy will come up the river. Beside, at this place, the chain must be laid across the river, so that it will receive the whole force of the ships coming with all the strength of tide and wind on a line of •three or four miles. Add to these, if the enemy should be able to possess themselves of the passes in the mountains through which they marched to the attacks of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the militia of the country to raise the siege.

"Upon viewing the country at and about West Point, the Committee found that there were several places in which the enemy might land and proceed immediately to some high grounds that would command a Fort erected at West Point, at the distance of six or seven hundred yards, from which they might carry on their approaches through a light gravelly soil, so that it would be impossible for the Fort to stand a long siege. But to balance this disadvantage in this place, there is plenty of earth. The timber may be brought to the spot by good roads  p55 from the high grounds at the distance of •one to three miles. •Three hundred feet less of chain will be requisite at this place than at Fort Clinton. It will be laid across in a place where vessels going up the river most usually lose their headway.​6 Water-batteries may be built on both sides of the river for protecting the chain and annoying the ships coming up the river, which will be completely commanded from the walls of the Fort. There are so many passes across the mountains to this place, that it will be almost impossible for the enemy to prevent the militia from coming to the relief of the garrison.

"From these considerations, the Committee are led to conclude that most proper place of obstruct the navigation of the river is at West Point; but are at the same time fully convinced that no obstructions on the banks of the river can effectually secure the country, unless a body of light troops, to consist of at least two thousand effective men, be constantly stationed in the mountains while the navigation of the river is practicable, to obstruct the enemy in their approach by land.

"Jno. Sloss Hobart,
"Henry Wisner,
"John Hathorn,
"Zeph. Platt.

"Poughkeepsie, Jan. 14th, 1778."​7

"Articles of Agreement between Noble, Townsend and Company, proprietors of the Stirling Iron Works,  p57 in the State of New York, of the one part, and Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster-General to the Army of the United States, of the other part, witnesseth:—

"That the said Noble, Townsend and Company, jointly and severally engage to have made and ready to be delivered at their works to the said Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster-General, or to the Deputy Quartermaster-General of the Middle Department for the time being, on or before the first day of April next ensuing the date hereof, or as much sooner as circumstances will admit, an iron chain of the following dimensions and quality: that is, in length •five hundred yards, each link •about two feet long, to be made of the best Stirling iron, •two inches and one-quarter square, or as near thereto as possible, with a swivel to every •hundred feet, and a clevis to every •thousand weight,​b in the same manner as those of the former chain.

"The said Noble, Townsend and Company also engage to have made and ready to be delivered at least twelve tons of anchors of the aforesaid iron, and of such sizes as the said Hugh Hughes or his successors in office shall direct, in writing, as soon as the completion of the chain will admit.

"In consideration of which the said Hugh Hughes, in behalf of the United States, agrees to pay to the said Noble, Townsend and Company, or their order, at the rate of four hundred and forty pounds​10 for every ton weight of chain and anchors delivered as before mentioned, unless the general regulations on trade, provisions, &c., which are now supposed to be framed by  p58 deputies from the United States, shall be published and take effect before the expiration of four months from the date of this; in which case the price is to be only £400 per ton for the said chain and anchors. The payment, if demanded, to be made in such proportion as the work shall be ready to be delivered, which shall be determined in ten days after re­quisition made by a number of competent judges, not less than three nor more than five, unconcerned with the proprietors, or the works, and, if condemned, to be completed at the expense of the said Company, who are also to repair, as aforesaid, all failures of their work, whenever happening, whether at the works or river, or in extending it across.

"The said Hugh Hughes also engages to procure of the Governor of this State, for the said Noble, Townsend and Company, an exemption for nine months from the date hereof, from military duty, for sixty artificers that are steadily employed at the said chain and anchors till completed. Agreeable to the said exemption, the said Company complying with the terms thereof. Providing also that the said Company give the said Hugh Hughes, or his successors in office, the refusal, by letter, of all bar iron, anchors, &c. made at the said works in the said term of nine months, at the current price, unless what is necessary to exchange for clothing and other articles for the use of the works.

"It is also agreed, by the said parties, that if the teams of the said Company shall transport the said chain or anchors, or any part thereof, to any assigned post, they shall receive for such services the same pay as shall be given by the United States for the like; the  p59 teams of the Company being exempted from impress by any of the Quartermaster-General's deputies during the space of nine months.

"Lastly, the said Company engage to use their utmost endeavors to keep seven fires at forging and ten at welding, if assisted with such hands as are necessary and can be spared from the army, in case of their not being able to procure others, the said Company making deduction for their labor.

"In witness whereof, the parties have interchangeably subscribed their names this second day of February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and in the second year of American Independence.

"Peter Townsend,
"In behalf of Noble & Company.
"Hugh Hughes,​11
"In behalf of United States.

"In presence of
"P. Tillinghast."12

"At my request the Legislature of this State have  p60 appointed a Committee to affix the places and manner of securing the river, and to afford some assistance in expediting the work. The state of affairs now at this post, you will observe, is as follows: the chain and necessary anchors are contracted for, to be completed by the first of April; and from the intelligence I have received, I have reason to believe they will be completed by that time. Parts of the boom intended to have been used at Fort Montgomery, sufficient for this place, are remaining. Some of the iron is exceedingly bad; this I hope to have replaced with good iron soon. The chevaux-de‑frise will be completed by the time the river will admit of sinking them at (Pollopel's Island). The batteries near the water, and the Fort to cover them, are laid out. The latter is, within the walls, •six hundred yards around, •twenty-one feet base, •fourteen feet high, the talus •two inches to the foot. This, I fear, is too large to be completed by the time expected. Governor Clinton and the Committee have agreed to this plan; and nothing on my part shall be wanted to complete it in the best and most expeditious manner. Barracks and huts for about three hundred men are completed, and barracks for about the same number are nearly covered. A road​13 to the river has been made with great difficulty."

"I most ardently wish to aid Governor Clinton, or any other gentleman appointed to superintend the work. At present, no person has the direction. I have kept the troops at work because I found them here when I took the command. The weather has been such, since the 15th of February, as has greatly retarded the works — about seven days of the time has been such that we could do nothing.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Radière, finding it impossible to complete the Fort and other defences intended at this post, in such a manner as to render them effectual early in the spring, and not choosing to hazard his reputation on works erected on a different scale, calculated for a short duration only, has desired leave to wait on Your Excellency and Congress, which I have granted him."

"Instructions:

"The hill which Colonel Putnam is fortifying is the most commanding and important of any that we can now  p64 attend to. Although it is secure in the rear from escalade, yet as it is practicable to annoy the garrison from Snook Hill, the parapet in the rear should be made cannon-proof against such as may be fired from Snook Hill. The parapet should be raised as much as possible with fascines and earth, to prevent the ill consequence of splinters from the rocks. The easternmost face of this work must be so constructed as to command the plain on which Colonel Putnam's regiment is now encamped, and annoy the enemy if he should force the works now erecting by Colonel Meigs' and Colonel Wyllis' regiments, as well as to command the northernmost and highest part of the ground last mentioned, which commands the plain in the rear of the principal works at West Point. A temporary magazine should be built without delay on Colonel Putnam's hill, and have ten days' provision, of salt meat and biscuit, for his regiment, deposited on the hill as soon as it arrives at West Point. This store must not be broke in upon on any pretence, till the enemy appears in force, and puts it out of Colonel Putnam's power to procure supplies from West Point. The next principal ground to be occupied for the safety of the Post, is the rising ground to the northward of the Fort, nearest northwest corner of the Long Barrack. It will be necessary to erect a redoubt on this ground, capable of containing one hundred and twenty men. The west, north, and east faces should be proof against battering cannon, and the south slightly palisaded to guard against surprise. The westernmost face, flanked by the fire of the Fort, must be ditched, and to mount two pieces of cannon. The north face strongly abbatised. The parapet of the west face should be raised so  p65 high, if practicable, as to cover the garrison from the fire that may be made against it from the ground on which Colonel Putnam is now encamped. This redoubt is so important, that it must be finished without delay. The chain to be fixed on the west side, in or near the Gap of the Snook, commanded by the fire from the east curtain of the work. The water-batteries now erected on the Point, to be completed as soon as possible, and two cannon placed in each, with the necessary shot and stores placed near them; if any of the cannon to be placed there require to be proved, it must be done before they are brought into the batteries. Such provisions as are on the Plain, to be removed into the Fort on the enemy's first appearing in force on the river, and no quantity left out at any time. Two small temporary magazines for ammunition to be made in the Fort for the present, to guard against rain; one also to be made for that of the cannon, in the batteries on the Point.

"It must be left to the discretion of the commanding officer at West Point, all circumstances considered, when to fire the alarm. In case of this event taking place in the present state of the works, the security of the Fort depends so much on the heights in the rear, on which the greatest force should be placed, that the commanding officer at West Point should take his quarters on the hill Colonel Putnam is now fortifying. Colonel Meigs's regiment, now at Robinson's farm, on hearing the alarm, will repair to West Point by the safest and securest passage. Six companies of his and Colonel Wyllis's regiment will take post in the works they are respectively erecting. The other two companies, with the invalids of the post and artificers, are to garrison the Fort,  p66 under the orders of Major Grosvenor. Colonel Webb's regiment is to take post in the works they are now making, and Colonel Sherburn's to defend the redoubt to be erected near the northwest corner of the Long Barrack. Colonel Putnam's to take post on the hill which they are now fortifying, and not to be ordered from thence, but such detachments as he or the commanding officer at the Post may judge necessary to secure the avenues to his works. Should the enemy force the regiments of Colonels Wyllis, Meigs and Webb from their works, it will be most advancive of the defence of the hills, which command the Fort, that those corps retire to defend to the last extremity, the avenues leading to Colonel Putnam's redoubt, and the ground on which he is now encamped, unless some manoeuvre of the enemy should induce the commanding officer of the post to detach some of those corps for security of Putnam's redoubt. If the ground on which the enemy intend to land, or the route on which he advances to our works, render it necessary to detach any corps to oppose him, it must be taken from the works erecting by Colonel Wyllis's, Meigs's or Colonel Webb's regiment, and not from the Fort, or Putnam's redoubt, as in case of misfortune, the enemy's possessing the works first mentioned, will not be so fatal to the Post as his getting possession of the Fort, or Putnam's redoubt."

"P. S. The west face of the redoubt to be built near the Long Barrack, to be eighteen feet [high], the north and east faces •fourteen feet; the stones to be kept as much as possible from the upper part of the parapet of the works."​17