York merchant put $20,000 into the enterprise, until took large commissions The speculator the hopes of the stockholders failed and the Nothing may be seen there now work ceased. (1876) but the ruins of the works so begun, At that point a bateau at the water's edge. was sunk by a shot from the "Vulture" while conveying the captured iron cannon from Stony the victory by after Point Point to West The cannon brought up by the anchor Wayne.

was doubtless one

of these."

FROM

JANUARY,

1779,

SEPTEMBER,

strengthened Fort Lafayette and again drew his forces up the river Washington meantime had undertaken a to that neighborhood. He ordered separate project for the reduction of Fort Lafayette. Major-Genera] Robert Howe, with two brigades, to march down from the Highlands, by way of Peekskill, and besiege the fort. The latter, in executing this command, came near getting into serious difficulty; for Clinton by that time (July 17) had reached the north side of the Croton, and there was danger that he would throw himself between Verplanck's Point and Peekskill, and thus cut Howe off. But happily General Heath, who with a considerable force had just previously gone to the rescue of Connecticut, returned by a forced march to the Hudson and posted troops so as to prevent Clinton's advance Howe retired from Verplanck's Point, ami all the at every point. American forces fell back to Peekskill. Clinton retained Fort Lafayette, and also resumed possession of Stony Point, reconstructed its works, and fortified it with a more powerful armament than before. But Washington still declined to bring his army down from its Highland position, and Clinton was too prudent to undertake anything Consequently there was no further emformal against West Point. ployment for the British general on the Hudson, and indeed his two succesoccupation of Verplanck's and Stony Points, involving sive demonstrations with a loss of (500 men, proved to be an utter waste of time and energy.