Historical documents reveal that Major  Richard Delafield, Superintendent at West Point was responsible for the massive rock carvings at West Point that honored major battles of the American Revolution. According to Kenneth W. Wrapp in his book West Point: Whistler in Cadet Gray, and other Stories about the United States Military Academy, Delafield determined that “His intention was to insure that lasting memorials of our country’s heritage would leave a lasting impression on the minds of young cadets of the future… the names of the battles inscribed on the granite ledges were Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown.” Although Saratoga and Yorktown carvings remain at West Point, the Bunker Hill carving at South Dock was destroyed shortly after 1920. According to Wrapp, “It was removed…during the process of widening the road for the newly constructed West Shore Railroad station house” to accommodate the increasing number of visitors to West Point. It is proposed that the Bunker Hill carving be re-carved on the granite ledge above its original location at South Dock as there is adequate rock face for that restoration.

Ranked first in the Class of 1818, Delafield served as a highly accomplished engineer both in the United States and Europe. He served as superintendent two times at West Point, from 1838-1845 when he designed the new buildings and uniforms that displayed the castle insignia and again from 1856 -1861. He was Chief Engineer for the Army until his retirement in 1866.

The Yorktown carving that is located high on a granite ridge above the Revolutionary Supply Road, on what is now known as Flirtation Walk, has been seriously eroded over time. In addition, steel rings have been installed above the carving so cadets can practice repelling on the rockface, further disintegrating the carving. The carving can be repaired by a skilled craftsman.The date of the battle is carved in the rockface as well, but not readable because of erosion.

The Saratoga rock carving is appropriately placed in Kosciuszko’s Garden. It was at this battle that Kosciuszko designed the fortifications on the high ground of Bemis Heights that helped secure the victory. Kosciuszko arrived at West Point in early March 1778, and was eventually named Engineer of Fortress West Point by General George Washington. As can be seen in the photo, the granite itself is chipping away beneath the “Saratoga” portion of the sign. Underneath is the date of the Battle of Saratoga: October 17, 1777, five months before Kosciuszko would come to West Point.

There are rock carvings at many of the Revolutionary fortification sites all over post,which most likely can also be attributed to Superintendent Delafield. In many cases, they identify the officer and his regiment responsible for the individual fortification’s construction. All carvings are in need of refurbishment so they are not lost in our lifetime.

Along Flirtation Walk, which was originally the Revolutionary Supply Road, there are carvings of battles from the Mexican American War. These were done by Superintendent Henry Brewerton in 1845-1852 to commemorate the victories in various battles led by West Point graduates. In Chain Battery Cove and along the trail several battles are carved in stone but are now obscured by overgrowth and seriously eroded.