Verplank’s Point

On May 30, 1779, a British came up the Hudson River with the intention of seizing the two fortifications at King’s Ferry- Fort LaFayette and Stony Point. On May 31, Gen. Sir Henry Clinton captured the recently abandoned fortifications at Stony Point.  On June 1, Clinton, aided by British warships, began an artillery barrage of Fort Lafayette.  American commander Capt. Armstrong and his troops attempted to retreat from Fort Lafayette, but were met by a British force under Gen. Peter Vaughn.  The Americans returned to the fort, but ultimately surrendered.

With the King's Ferry and the fortifications on either side of it in British hands, Washington lost his southernmost crossing of the Hudson River. By the time these were retaken by General Anthony Wayne in July of 1779, the British had completed the fortifications at Stony Point and upgraded those at Fort Lafayette.