An amusing and characteristic (and possibly true) anecdote records a conversation sujjposed to have taken ])lace between the Commander and General Wayne on this topic. A'^ked whether he thought he could storm Stony Point, the impetuous Wayne -- -"Mad Anthony" -- replied : " I '11 storm hell, if you'll make the plans, sir!" Washington looked at him meditatively for a moment, and then replied quietly: "Better try Stony Point first, General." Try Stony Point they did. That "Gibraltar" of the Highlands, to use Washington Irving 's phrase,

3o6 The Hudson River

presented an obstacle worthy of the mettle of the best troops in the world. Two hundred feet in height, with bold, rocky sides descending precipitously to the shore, and surrounded on the landward side by a marsh, this fortress could only be won by the same soldierly qualities that had made the British masters of it forty-five days earher. The utmost secrecy was preserved in preparing for the enteri^rise. Not more than half a dozen officers knew of the movement on foot. The main army of the Americans was encamped about ten miles back of West Point, within reach either of the Jerseys or the Hudson. A strong detachment occupied West Point, Constitution Island, and that neighbourhood, and two Connecticut brigades were on the east side of the river. Washington's headquarters at this time were at New Windsor. The column destined for the attack upon Stony Point marched from Sandy Beach, fourteen miles above, at noon of the fifteenth. The soldiers numbered twelve hundred light infantry. Their march was over bad roads and rocky hills and through heavy swamps. They halted after nightfall at the house of a man named Springsteel, a mile and a half from the British position, and here the final arrangements for the attack were completed.