Chain Defense

“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 discussed, and are so well understood, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them” (George Washington, xiii).

The Book 

Chaining the Hudson by Lincoln Diamant highlights an important part of Revolutionary War history, one that can sometimes take second place to the well-known stories of Philadelphia and New York City. From the start, the leaders of the Revolution recognized the importance of defending the Hudson River, north of New York City. Without it, the northern colonies would be split in two and access to supplies would become extremely difficult. 

In 1775, the northern delegates to the Continental Congress emphasized the importance of protecting the Hudson River. The Hudson Highlands were originally identified as the best place for fortifications. The first attempt, Fort Constitution, was fraught with delays, poor design, and high cost. Fort Washington and two forts named Fort Lee were hastily constructed (George Washington had misgivings about their effectiveness) in 1776. They were joined by a chevaux-de-frise, “shallow-water obstructions […] to fill gaps in a line of hulks to be sunk across the Hudson River from Fort Washington to Fort Lee” (39). In July, two British warships defied these defenses and sailed up the Hudson with little difficulty. 

As the British took control of New York City, the leaders of the Revolution grew more concerned over the lack of defense for the Hudson River. In the spring and summer of 1776, Forts Montgomery and Clinton were completed to act as complementary defenses. An iron chain was placed across the Hudson in March 1777; it weighed 35 tons and was 1,650 feet long. The British attacked the two forts, by land, and filed through a link in the chain. However, by November 1777, the upper Hudson Valley was back in colonist hands. Military leaders decided that West Point (across from Fort Constitution) would be a better area of defense and a new chain was put in place in 1778. In August 1780, Benedict Arnold took command of West Point. He told the British of weak spots in the chain, but was caught before the British could attack. The West Point chain was never tested by an enemy vessel. 

When I first chose this book, I thought it might be more geared towards an academic audience. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it reads more like popular nonfiction. There are drawings, maps, and present-day photos interspersed throughout, helping the reader visualize. Diamant relies heavily on first-hand accounts, mostly from letters, to support the narrative. This is great, but sometimes the lengthy passages are difficult to follow. In Chaining the Hudson, the main characters are geography and strategy. Readers learn of troop movements, engagement, defense designs, and the significance of the area. The reader is periodically reminded of the simultaneous Revolutionary War events, to help ground them in the story. 

The Place 

Fort Montgomery is a lesser-known Revolutionary War locale, but still a worthwhile place to visit. On the northern edge of Bear Mountain State Park, it is surrounded by beautiful mountain and river views. The state park includes a small indoor museum, detailing the significance of the Fort to the defense of the Hudson. Outside are numerous cannons, original stone foundations and earthworks, and recreated structures. A brief walk downhill will bring visitors to Popolopen Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River. A pedestrian suspension bridge provides access to Fort Clinton and the rest of Bear Mountain State Park. 

It is a place that you might miss if you aren’t looking for it. A traffic circle can make it difficult to access if you aren’t familiar with them. My family got a bit turned around, but we eventually made it to the park. We spent a couple of hours there, which was plenty of time. A trip here could easily be combined with other sites in Bear Mountain State Park. Fort Montgomery is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.

“The ‘Cockpit’ of the American Revolution”

“New Jersey remained a constantly contested battleground where Loyalist and Patriot militias fought for supplies, land, and influence” (5).

The Book

The American Revolution in New Jersey: Where the Battlefront Meets the Home Front edited by James J. Gigantion II, explores the experience of the residents of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War from different aspects. The book is divided into two parts: “A Revolutionary Experience” and “The Impact of the Revolutionary Experience”.

Part One walks the reader through five areas: the militia, illegal trade, iron and salt production, the Battle of Fort Lee, and the arrival of the French military. Part Two explores the impact on local economy, religious organizations, slavery, and Loyalist residents. Instead of outlining each section here, a preview will be provided to present a look at what the reader can expect. In the militia essay of Part One, the reader learns that being a part of the militia was extremely difficult. A part-time job as soldier was not easily balanced with the full-time job of farmer or craftsmen. The laws and enforcement of the militia often fluctuated and their homes were often ransacked by British troops. In the sections on religious organizations and slavery in Part Two, the reader learns that the Quakers led the charge to abolish slavery in New Jersey and many abolitionists linked the Declaration of Independence with the call to end slavery.

The American Revolution in New Jersey is an edited book composed of a variety of essays looking at the impact of the war. It is well-written in the academic genre, but it is also easy to read. The essays are in-depth and interesting, relying on many testimonies from the residents of New Jersey. The chapters easily stand-alone, allowing the reader to pick and choose where to start.

The Place

Red Bank Battlefield Park is one of the many locations in New Jersey that commemorates where the American forces fought for Independence from Great Britain. The park is on land originally owned by the Whitall family. During a battle between American forces and Hessian soldiers, their home was used as a field hospital.

Today, visitors can walk the grounds along the Delaware River every day except Christmas and New Year’s. The Whitall home is open seasonally and provides a glimpse into Colonial life. Our family often visited Red Bank Battlefield Park for a day. It provides something for the kid (playgrounds), nature lover (grounds to discover and piers to walk to the end of), and the history buff (plaques, cannons, and the Whitall house). 

Military Drill for Independence

“[Baron von Steuben’s] name was linked inextricably to the rebirth of the army, a rebirth that had taken place in the snows of Valley Forge” (166).

The Book

The Drillmaster of Valley Forge by Paul Lockhart is an insightful look into Baron von Steuben; the man credited with training the Continental Army at Valley Forge in 1778. However, Steuben’s story is much broader than his months at Valley Forge.

Steuben was born into the military society of Prussia and joined the Prussian infantry at the age of 16, in 1746. The Prussian army was considered one of the premier militaries of that time and Steuben learned valuable lessons to be used later in his life. After being dismissed from the Prussian army in 1763, Steuben moved from job to job. In 1777, he was recruited by an American agent and soon left for America. Steuben arrived in Valley Forge (February 1778) where he spent time observing the army and providing advice to Washington. In March, Steuben was given his first assignment: train the army. It was impossible to do it all by himself, so Steuben trained a select few who returned to their regiments to train others. The army made quick progress, which was noticed and appreciated by many.

For many Americans, this is where Steuben’s story ends. Lockhart’s biography details the rest of Steuben’s major contributions. He acted as a scout, using his Prussian training to predict British movements, and served as a commander of troops during battles. Outside of training the army at Valley Forge, Steuben had three lasting impacts. He composed a book of military regulations, which drew from Prussian and French regulations and was adapted to the American mindset. The “Blue Book” was the official regulation through the War of 1812. Steuben also proposed a military academy (eventually West Point) and his high regard for discipline is still evident in the army.

Throughout the book, Lockhart writes in a way that is easily accessible for most readers, intertwining Steuben’s story with the fight for independence. It is a military biography, so there is an emphasis on military maneuvers, training, and terminology. But, the book would not be complete without this military emphasis. The reader feels like she can visualize the chaos and uncertainty of the time period, and fully understand Baron von Steuben’s imprint on America.

The Place

Valley Forge is located about 3o miles northwest of Philadelphia. The park grounds have separate operating hours than the Visitor Center, Washington’s Headquarters, Train Station, Washington Memorial Chapel, and Varnum’s Quarters. It is important to check the hours before visiting the park. Because Valley Forge is a part of the National Park Service, entrance is free.

I would recommend beginning your visit at the Visitor Center. It provides an overview of Valley Forge and numerous artifacts from the winter encampment. After the Visitor Center, you are ready to roam Valley Forge. Both driving self-guided and trolley guided tours are available. The tours will take you past replica cabins that soldiers would have stayed in, the home Washington used as his headquarters, and the plain where Steuben trained and drilled the army. Valley Forge is a significant place to visit and serves as a reminder of the work and sacrifice for American independence. 

Washington's Home

“…Mount Vernon was far more than simply a house. It was an extension of [Washington] himself, a tangible emblem of his character, his personality, his hopes, his dreams” (xvi).  

The Book

George Washington’s Mount Vernon by Robert F. Dalzell Jr. and Lee Baldwin Dalzell is an unusual biography. Instead of focusing on the man, it focuses on the place while exploring the impact of and on the man. Mount Vernon was passed down through generations of Washingtons and the present buildings were designed by George Washington. Mount Vernon went through three major reconstructions while owned by Washington and majority of the time Washington was away from home. The Dalzells’s use Washington’s letters to show the reader how involved he still was in the construction. Washington was in constant contact with his managers, even as the commander of the Continental Army.

The Dalzells also introduce the reader to the architecture of the periods and the type of men who would have worked on the construction. Washington’s travels throughout the colonies introduced him to different ways to build a structure. He built an unusual house which is evident in the different types of architecture he was influenced by and the changes over the years. These sections can be hard to read at times, but they lend a better understanding to the eventual outcome.

The Place   



Mount Vernon is a place that combines history with hands on learning. I have visited Washington’s home twice: once as an elementary school kid and once after college. Both times I felt the same awe as I walked up the drive to the front of the house. Washington focused on a visitor’s first impression and that focus is still in place today. You can tour the house and spend some time sitting on the piazza (river front porch) watching the Potomac River. Down the road is a replica of Washington’s sixteen sided barn where wheat was threshed and the tomb where George and his wife Martha were laid to rest.

In the years in between my two visits, a visitor’s center and museum were added. These two add so much to the Mount Vernon experience. As you walk through the museum, you see Washington develop from a young surveyor to the President of the United States. Interactive videos explore the relationship of George and Martha Washington and the battles of the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War video includes cannon smoke and “snow” falling from the ceiling. Much time and effort were obviously put into Mount Vernon to make it, once again, a place for the people to visit.