Revolutionary War Fort at the United States Military Academy

With the United States Military Academy not being established until 1802, West Point's Revolutionary War era beginnings go largely untold. Thanks to the West Point Museum, we are able to give you exclusive access to Fort Putnam, completed in 1778 and full of stories from 18th Century America!
Garry Adelman and Kris White are joined by our generous host Aaron Rowland.
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@mikeanderson1330]

In 1973 I had a friend that was attending West Point. Fort Putnam was an abandoned, deserted shell. Some friends and I camped there on a visit to see our friend. Wondered at the time why it had not been restored. Nice to see it's significance recognized and restored.

[@josephdriesenga2730]

That intro was.... inconceivable.....

[@pamelaoliver8442]

I'm still laughing 😂

[@evanportman9797]

Nice one 😂

[@fredjasper7378]

You forgot about General Casmir Pulaski who was the father of the Amercian cavalry during the revolutionary War as another famous Pole

[@michelehumphrey852]

I love your Revolutionary War videos. Garry looking like Cap’n Crunch in the hat was a bonus 😊

[@todd3205]

My granddad 6 generations back was in the Final Formation at West Point at the end of the revolution. His name was Timothy Taylor and was a captain by that time. He had helped take the fort at Stony Point under Mad Anthony Wayne. The British still occupied Manhattan at the time, and it was feared that they would come back up the Hudson and take West Point, after the war was over and before it became the Army Engineer School. George Washington, Rochambeau and the Marquis De Lafayette used his father-in-law's (Joseph Platt Cook) house in Danbury for a short while as a headquarters. Taylor's son, Amos Cooke Taylor, who was enlisted in the War of 1812, was our Connecticut Yankee ancestor who came to the Connecticut Western Reserve here in Ohio and settled the town of Twinsburg, then called Millsville.

[@X4530sweeper]

I live up in the Hudson valley region, I remember visiting Fort Putnam and the the smaller fortifications that protected Fort Putnam , I also visited fort Montgomery In Harriman State Park not far from the bear mountain bridge. I went to StonyPoint Battle field really was a assault on a British fortification and it was taken by bayonet only know loaded weapons. Also use to visit Old Tappan were major André was held at the 76 house as it’s known today. The Church were the military trial was held right down the road, visited he house were Washington staying during the trail, there is a park where Andre was executed bye hanging, also visited Andre hill were he was buried just over NJ Border his remains were removed bye request of the British Government and he received full military burial. I now live in Florida I lived almost my whole life up in the Hudson Valley region. How I miss it because of its rich in history I enjoyed your videos very much thank you 👍👍

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Thanks! More to come from West Point hope you enjoy.

[@JeffL-rj1xq]

Thank you Garry, Chris and Aaron for sharing this part of West Point that most of us would not get to see! And thank you for the interesting story about Benedict Arnold. A traitor to two sides at different times.

[@johnportanova2583]

Thank you thank you so glad I belong to this wonderful organization so much education

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you Gary, Kris and Aaron and the tour of Fort Putnam at West Point.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Great episode! Love The Princess Bride reference as well!

[@MrHamlet1764]

Thanks guys for discussing the importance of West Point during the Revolutionary War. However, it is my understanding that during the Saratoga Campaign of 1777, a British relief force did sail pass West Point as far as Kingston, NY, which was burned by the British in October of 1777. After the British took Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, a British force under the command of General Vaughan was ordered by British General Henry Clinton to sail further up the Hudson to assist Burgoyne. Vaughan's force was eventually recalled by Clinton back to New York City as Clinton was under pressure to send troops to Howe around Philadelphia. I believe that major construction at West Point did not begin until 1778, a bit after the Saratoga campaign had ended.

[@People_of_the_Mouse]

Love the Bride reference. The first time I went to the museum and saw the sig44 I was truly awed. The very rocks of the buildings speak to you. Just catching a glimpse of the cadets is a treat. Minutemen for the road win.

[@donaldswankie4081]

Anyone finding themselves within a few hours of West Point should make it a bucket list item to go. Have always brought out of town guests up to the Point. (Most well behaved tailgate crowds too for Army football - as you would imagine..)

[@platform15gym]

Super video - thanks guys!

[@sethmaxfield6658]

Make sure to drop a line if you guys come back for another visit in the next few years!

[@Alex-ej4wm]

Only Gary can pull off that hat choice! Keep em comin brother

[@ronbednarczyk2497]

Benedict Arnold was also responsible for relieving the siege of Ft. Stanwix.

[@Wreckdiver59]

Appreciate the detailed tour of the fort 👍 I had an opportunity to visit West Point as part of a tour in September this year. We didn't go up to the fort, but did spend about a half day touring the grounds, so I am familiar with the lay of the land. You get a much better view of the Hudson from the fort. I did see the remnants of the great chain at trophy point.

[@PeterOkeefe54]

many places claim to "have" some of the chain but west point only verifiable real one

[@bradbradley353]

My father led the restoration of Ft Putnam and the revolutionary war sites around post for the Bicentennial. My Brothers and I opened the Gates to the public that July in 1976. Go up to the McLean Museum in the center of the fort if you go. The stories I can tell from that time. Watching the Chinook bring in the cannon. The archeological dig that was done. It was an amazing experience.

[@bennoe5715]

Unexpected but unsurprising deep cut Star Wars quote from beloved chief nerd (title bestowed with all honor and respect) Garry Adelman!

[@thomasvanetten1984]

Really cool to see Kris and Gary talking about the Revolution! Ive only seen West Point from the train across the Hudson. Glad to get this tour. Hope the public gets registration access some day. Thank you for another very informative video!

[@butcherwoman3753]

I cannot imagine the man hours that went into building the fort? Labor intensive is an understatement. Terrific presentation as always. Thank you for diligence.

[@mandyblush]

Very cool details.

[@SmedleyDouwright]

Fort Putnam is still secured in 2023.

[@kellydiver]

Where at West Point was Deborah Sampson billeted (meaning the physical location)? She served as a private with the Light Infantry Company, 4th Massachusetts Regiment, and was assigned as an aide to Gen. John Paterson while she was stationed there. Her discharge was signed by Henry Knox (an ancestor of mine).

[@historyhoarder634]

I don’t know where at West Point the 4th Mass was encamped but I believe in 1782 they spent the winter at Robinson’s Farm (Camp New Boston) across the river in Putnam County.

[@joes8087]

If you take a guided tour of westpoint they will often take you up to this fort and you can go inside

[@DA-bp8lf]

You guys are the reason I DONATE!! Great stuff guys! Thank you! 👏👏👏

[@lawrencekirwin9665]

Outstanding!

[@historyhoarder634]

My 4th Great Great Grandfather was stationed at West Point in 1779 with the Connecticut Line.

[@Gitarzan66]

May the nerd be with you.

[@DubsVideosss]

You guys gotta do fort Ticonderoga 2 wars! And don’t forget Mount defiance!

[@michaelkalinoski7998]

I hope you gentleman took photos of the Mexican artillery guns that are in West Point. Those are the guns captured during the Resaca De La Plama by Captain May's of the 2nd Dragoons in their gallant Cavalry charge taking out the Mexican artillery. That could be used in your Battlefield narration of Resaca Da La Plama Battlefield .

[@barbarahobens2527]

Did General Talmadge bring Major Andre here on their way to Tappan? He was led from Robinson House past (or stayed over at) General Israels' house - Mandeville House in Garrison just across the river?

[@rodgeroxie8459]

How did they git that chain across the water . If its weight was 65 tons ? And how did retrieve it?

[@loganw1232]

Wanted to check this fort but wasn’t able to because it is usually closed to the public.

[@mikestacyemett5914]

What’s this new Saratoga book called?

[@CrossTrain]

You guys are awesome! Thanks you Garry & Kris!

[@dimitristoupakisAT]

Nice hat, GA! French? 😉

[@rkymtn571]

What is the title of the new book on Saratoga that you mentioned , please.

[@johnresto1603]

One of th newest is the compleat victory by Kevin weddle. It's very good.

[@rkymtn571]

@@johnresto1603 OK T Y , My 6x ggf served as a rifleman with Morgan. Hence my interest.

[@johnresto1603]

@@rkymtn571 that's awesome, Morgan is my favorite.

[@rodgeroxie8459]

How did they retrieve the chain that went across the waterway?? if they went ahead and had to take it up pre-winter? Where was the chains stored? How do they get the chain across the waterway?? it weighed 60 to 65 tons? How was the transported?

[@historyhoarder634]

The chain was anchored on several rafts across the river. It was not underwater. Each link was about 18” long.

[@eltonjohnson1724]

Good video but I must make one comment. At about the 19:06 mark, he mentions that Army was National Champs in football in 1944, 1945, and 1946. That is incorrect. Army was only NC for 1944 and 1945 (two years). In 1946, Notre Dame tied Army in the Game of the Century, 0-0, and was crowned National Champions for 1946. The 40s was actually the best years of Notre Dame football. ND was NC in 1943, 1946, 1947 and 1949. They missed out in 1948 which went to Michigan.

[@bigsarge2085]

😎

[@lisak7997]

❤🇺🇸

[@WendyDaCanuck]

Arnold was given command of LOYALIST troops NOT “American turncoats”. Being on the so called “patriot” side was not the default position for colonists during the American War of Independence.

[@franklubbock8400]

Um and one time Peter played Benedict Arnold in an episode of Brady Bunch!

[@earlyriser8998]

Winners right the story and Benedict A was on the losing side.

[@acebrandon3522]

Did that 1st narrator say his name as Garry Analman???? 🤣

[@robmann7997]

In 1981, the VMI Keydets football team played Army at Michie Stadium. The VMI corps kidnapped the Army mascot (mule), painted it red-white-yellow (VMI's colors) and ran it on the field. They also took down Old Glory and put the Confederate flag up the pole. VMI 14 Army 7

[@benlincoln7358]

Booooo

[@johnb1123]

Taking down Old Glory and replacing it with the flag of traitors? You were no patriots to be sure.

[@user-oo5mv2mn1x]

Thank yo Gary for showing this amazing piece of American History that helped us save our Republic, that is not a democracy, but a Republic.

[@TXMEDRGR]

The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens - The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

[@LIamaLlama554]

It is both a democracy and a republic.

[@pimhoff]

Love Gary but hats just don't work for him.

[@daviddifonzo7938]

Gary: Preserve our democracy? What democracy? Please read our Constitution, especially Article four Section four.

[@LIamaLlama554]

What are you people blathering about? In common usage of the term, the USA is a democracy. Full stop.

[@daviddifonzo7938]

Spoken like a true John Deweyite.@@LIamaLlama554

[@samhard1986]

Benedict Arnold sounds like a big cry baby who didn't get what he wanted and threw a little temper tantrum

[@jeffelzey]

Much distracting waving