George Washington’s Headquarters at West Point
“I propose either this evening or tomorrow to pitch my tent somewhere near West Point.” – General Washington (July 20th, 1779)
General Washington made his headquarters at West Point on two different occasions: the first time staying at West Point from July to November in 1779, and for one week after the Battle of Yorktown. He established his headquarters after the victory at the Battle of Stony Point on July 16, immediately turning his focus to the defense of West Point. LTG Dave Palmer writes in The River and the Rock that Washington believed, “The English…would now redouble their efforts to capture the Hudson forts in order to erase the stigma of humiliating defeat.…Touring the Point on 19 July, he decided to establish his headquarters there. In that way he could clearly emphasize the fortress’ importance and at the same time could better supervise its defense. A battle for West Point might very well prove to be the climatic conflict of the Revolutionary War.”
Moore House at West Point
Colonel Stephen Moore, a Revolutionary soldier and successful merchant in New York City, built a large house on one of the relatively flat areas of the river bank at West Point on land acquired by his relatives in the late 1600’s. The house was three-storied and had four chimneys. It was sometimes referred to as “the red house.” According to Moore’s descendants, the family spent part of the year in NYC and part of the year at West Point.
In 1764, Stephen Moore served with the British in the French and Indian Wars. He was the only member of his family to renounce his Tory support, and he subsequently served in an unsuccessful attack on Cornwallis at the Battle of Camden under the command of Major General Horatio General Gates, after which he spent twelve months as a British prisoner of war. He owned the Moore House at West Point until 1790 when under the the recommendation of Major General Henry Knox, the house was sold to the United States government for use by the military at the West Point Garrison.
History Of West Point And Its Military Importance During The American Revolution
by Edward C. Boynton
On the 25th of July [1779], the Head-Quarters of the Commander-in-chief were transferred to West Point, and there remained until the twenty-eight of November following.
During the summer, the completion of the works around and above Fort Putnam were effected, there being no less than two thousand five hundred men on fatigue duty daily. It was at this period that the following General Orders, selected from the MS. Order Book of the General, were issued…
Head-Quarters Moore’s House
West Point, July 4, 1779
“This day being the anniversary of our glorious independence, will be commemorated by the firing of thirteen cannon from West Point, at one o’clock P.M….The Commander thinks proper to grant a general pardon to all prisoners in this Army under sentence of death. They are to be released from confinement accordingly.”
Head-Quarters Moore’s House
West Point, July 16, 1779
“The Commander-In-Chief is happy to congratulate the Army on the success of our arms under Brigadier-General Wayne, who, last night, with the Corps of light infantry [staged out of West Point], surprised and took the enemy’s post at Stony Point with the whole garrison, cannon and stores, with very inconsiderable loss on our side. The General has not yet received the particulars of the affair; but he has the satisfaction to learn that the officers and men in general gloriously distinguished themselves in the attack. He requests the Brigadier and the whole Corps to accept his warmest thanks for the good conduct and signal bravery manifested upon the occasion.
Head-Quarters Moore’s House
West Point, July 29, 1779
“Many and pointed orders have been issued against that unmeaning and abominable custom of swearing,…with much regret, the General observes that it prevails, if possible, more than ever; his feelings are continually wounded by the oaths…of the soldiers whenever he is in hearing of them.
COMMANDERS OF THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS DEPARTMENT (Fortress West Point) 1776 – 1783
William Heath November 12, 1776
Alexander McDougall December 21, 1776
Israel Putnam May 12, 1777
Alexander McDougall March 16, 1778
Horatio Gates May 20, 1778
Alexander McDougall November 24, 1778
William Heath November 27, 1779
Robert Howe (Acting) February 21, 1780
Alexander McDougall June 21, 1780
Benedict Arnold August 3, 1780
George Washington (Acting) September 25, 1780
Alexander McDougall September 28, 1780
Nathanael Greene October 5, 1780
William Heath October 17, 1780
John Paterson (Acting) May 11, 1781
Alexander McDougall June 24, 1781
William Heath January 18, 1782
Henry Knox August 24, 1782