Following the British evacuation of Boston, General George Washington and his army had no idea where the afloat British Army would land; however, the importance of New York was never in question. Washington moved his Army overland to occupy New York City and to fortify the American defenses along the crucial Hudson River. Today, you can visit and explore a key part of those defenses!
History
General George Washington ordered the construction of Fort Constitution (later renamed Fort Lee) in July 1776 along the Hudson Palisades to further strengthen American defenses along the Hudson River. From this position in New Jersey, the fort had a strategic view of the vital waterway- its commanding presence was matched only by its sister fortification, Fort Washington (located on the New York side upon the highest natural point in Manhattan).
Originally named Fort Constitution, Washington ordered its name changed to Fort Lee in September 1776 in honor of his second-in-command, the haughty General Charles Lee (a former British officer and who lived in the colonies and served in the Continental Army).
Fort Lee and Fort Washington, which had chevaux-de-frise (underwater obstacles used to prevent the passage of warships) strung between the two, presented a formidable obstacle for the invading British. The hope was that the imposing fortifications would prevent any British incursions up the Hudson River.
By October 1776, General Washington and the Continental Army had suffered crushing losses at the Battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, and the Battle of White Plains, which forced them to abandoned New York City; however, the Americans still held firmly onto Fort Washington and Fort Lee. General Nathanael Greene convinced General Washington that Fort Washington could be held, despite the nearby threat.
After the British Army’s quick seizure of New York City (which in 1776, occupied only the southern tip of Manhattan), their next goal was to gain control of the Hudson River. The first step was the neutralize Fort Washington and Fort Lee.
On November 16, 1776, a British force of nearly 8,000 soldiers under command of General William Howe attacked the 3,000 American troops stationed at Fort Washington under command of Colonel Robert Magaw (General George Washington witnessed the assault from across the river at Fort Lee). It was an overwhelming defeat for the Americans who lost crucial ammunition and supplies, 36 artillery pieces, 59 men killed and 2,838 taken prisoner (alarmingly, only about 800 of those men taken prisoner would survive their captivity). With the great loss of nearly 3,000 soldiers and the surrender of Fort Washington, the British were nearly in complete control of the lower Hudson River.
On the night of November 19-20, nearly 5,000 British and Hessian troops under command of General Earl Cornwallis were ferried across the Hudson River and landed about 5 miles north of Fort Lee in preparation for an assault. Upon receiving word of the nearby threat, American General Nathanael Greene (who had already made preparations for abandoning the fort), hastened the retreat on the morning of November 20. The invading British force was slowed by their artillery, otherwise they would have likely trapped the reeling Americans (the breakfast campfires were still burning when the British arrived).
With the loss of Fort Lee, General Washington and his army retreated across New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania (it was during this painful retreat that Thomas Paine wrote his famous pamphlet “The American Crisis”). Just over one month later, Washington and his men would finally get a taste of victory following a daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night.
On July 18, 1781, General George Washington returned to Fort Lee (which was back in American hands) with French General Comte de Rochambeau. From the high palisades of the fort they reconnoitered British works in upper Manhattan.
Fort Lee Historic Park
Today, Fort Lee’s sister fortification, Fort Washington, is marked only by a memorial in Bennett Park in Washington Heights, not far from the base of the George Washington Bridge (this is also right near the highest natural point in Manhattan- exactly why the fort was built there in the first place!). Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the city has rid of any remnants of the military fortification. For the hard-core lovers of history (or if you are in the area), it is worth seeing; however, if you are just passing through, the traffic and lack of parking may not make it worth the stop.
Thankfully for historians and Americans alike, Fort Lee has been preserved in the form of Fort Lee Historic Park located at Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. The Visitors Center (open Wed-Sun, 10AM – 4:45PM) has a gift shop, auditorium, and a free and informative museum that has detailed exhibits on Forts Washington & Lee and the Hudson River region during the American Revolution. I recommend visiting the museum and gift shop prior to exploring the grounds.
The grounds of Fort Lee Historic Park are comprised of 33 acres, which include the visitors center/museum, a reconstructed encampment and fortifications and miles of trails. The portion of the park that lies south of the George Washington Bridge (near the Visitors Center) is the site of the original fort and batteries.
The reconstructed batteries with artillery pieces, block house, and huts are all walkable from the Visitors Center. With a cup of coffee on an autumn day, it is a very enjoyable stroll.
The blockhouse would have served as a defensive stronghold (think of it as a miniature fortress). The reconstructed soldier’s huts model the original that would have been built on the site (by order of General Greene). Housing up to 8 men, they were made of wooden timbers, had earthen floors and a stone chimney. The Historic Park offers a living history program for schoolchildren using this reconstructed encampment.
After visiting the encampment and batteries, put on your hiking or running shoes and take to the trails. Meandering through the trees and winding along the Hudson River, the trails offer incredible views of the river and the George Washington Bridge.
Fort Lee Historic Park has a lot to offer- from history exhibits, reconstructed fortifications and buildings, stunning views of the Hudson River and Manhattan, and seemingly endless hiking and running trails, it has something for everyone!