By Phil Devlin
(July 15, 2026) — Stony Point is an elevated, triangular projection of rock on the west bank of the Hudson River extending into the river about twelve miles south of West Point. Its nickname was “Little Gibraltar.” Stony Point has an elevation of about 150 feet and had great strategic importance during the American Revolution. Cannon located on Stony Point could destroy any ship traveling on the waterway. Therefore, General George Washington very much wanted to capture the site and hatched a plan to do just that.
About 1,300 commandos were handpicked to participate in the midnight raid under the command of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania. Of that number, 400 were men from Connecticut. One of the leaders of the raid was Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs of Middletown. Meigs led the third regiment’s assault from the south side. Another regiment attacked from the north side. A third, very small group coordinated diversionary rifle fire from the west side after the other two regiments had climbed the hill. Both regiments were not allowed to load their guns. This assault was fought with bayonets only and was over in just 25 minutes! The British lost 63 killed and 543 captured. The Americans lost 15 killed and 83 wounded.
