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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
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American forces under General Wayne captured the British fort at Stony Point on July 16, 1779, taking 500-600 prisoners with minimal losses; Wayne slightly wounded. Reported in letters from Washington and Greene to Congress.
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SIR,
I have the pleasure to transmit your Excellency the enclosed copy of a letter from Brigadier General Wayne, which this moment came to hand. I congratulate Congress upon our success, and what makes it still more agreeable, from the report of Capt. Fishbourn who brought Gen. Wayne's letter. The post was gained with but very inconsiderable loss on our part; as soon as I receive a particular account of the affair, I shall transmit it. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
P. S. General Wayne received a slight wound in the head with a musket ball, but it did not prevent him from going on with the troops. His Excellency John Jay, Esquire.
STONEY POINT, July 16, 1779, 2 o'clock, A. M.
DEAR General,
THE fort and garrison, with Col. Johnson, are ours; our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free.
Yours most sincerely,
ANTHONY WAYNE.
Gen. Washington.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
Extract of a letter from Major General GREENE.
I have the pleasure to congratulate you upon our success last evening. General Wayne with the light infantry, surprised the garrison at Stony point and took the whole prisoners; the particulars we have not yet, but it is not less than 500 men, our troops behaved to a charm, marching in the face of a heavy fire without firing a gun; we lost only four privates. Gen. Wayne got a slight wound in the side of his face. I have not time to add, being called upon to attend the orders of the General. It is more than probable this event will lead to a serious dispute for King's ferry.
Extract of a letter from New Windsor, July 16, 1779.
I wrote you by an express a few hours ago of Gen. Wayne's success this morning, in surprising the British garrison at Stony point, and making them all prisoners, consisting of 600 men, with a number of cannon, the quantity of baggage, stores, &c. Our party consisted of 1200 light infantry, drawn from the whole army on both sides the river. Gen. Wayne is slightly wounded in the head; but he, his officers and men have acquired the greatest honour. A few of the enemy were bayoneted, not a gun fired on our side, but the garrison was completely surprised and not a man escaped. We turned their cannon on their shipping, who immediately made sail down the river. They have a garrison yet in their works on the east side of the river, and we are in motion down towards them.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Stony Point
Event Date
July 16, 1779
Key Persons
Outcome
american forces captured british fort and garrison of 500-600 men, col. johnson, cannon, baggage, and stores; turned cannons on british shipping; american losses: 4 privates killed, gen. wayne slightly wounded in head; few british bayoneted, no escapes.
Event Details
Brigadier General Wayne led 1200 light infantry in a surprise night attack on the British garrison at Stony Point, marching silently under heavy fire without firing a shot, capturing the fort and all prisoners.