formed by the rupture of the Highland range, where the Hudson passes through what might be appropriately termed the Water Gap of the Highlands. On the east side of this Gap is Bull's Hill, and farther north Breakneck Hill, beyond which is the village of Fishkill. On the west side of the Gap is the Crow's Nest, and farther north Butter Hill, beyond which, near the river, are the villages of New Windsor and Canterbury. A road leads westward from West Point, breaking through the mountains, known as the Canterbury road; and another runs southward, not far from the shore, leading to Forts Montgomery on the north side, and Clinton on the south side of Polopen's Creek, at its entrance into the Hudson, six miles south of West Point. South of these forts, about six miles farther, is the memorable Stony Point; between which and the preceding forts is the hill called Dunderberg or Thunder Hill. Below West Point, on the east side, is the mountain called Anthony's Nose, about six miles distant; and one mile south of it is Fort Independence, east of which lies the village of Peekskill. Verplanck's Point, about ten miles

south of West Point, is nearly opposite to Stony Point, connecting with it by King's Ferry. The margin of the river opposite to West Point is a high level plain, but at some distance farther east is Sugar Loaf Hill, between which and Anthony's Nose was Continental Village, about five miles southeast of West Point. Buttermilk Falls are about a mile and a half below West Point, on the west side; and Robinson's House, about two miles below on the east side, was for some time Washington's head-quarters. Opposite to West Point, towards the northeast, are extensive iron works, and between these and Bull's Hill, on the north, is the village of Cold Spring. On the northwestern slope of West Point, fronting a slight bay of the river, is the suburb or hamlet called Camp Town, including buildings erected for military storehouses during the revolution, and others now occupied by soldiers, and subordinates of the academy. Farther north, at the extremity of an elevated plain called the German Flats, is the West Point Cemetery; and just north of this, is a sequestered nook called Washington's Valley, in which formerly stood a house

actually occupied by Washington during a portion of the time of the Revolution. We have thus named the principal localities of this interesting region; but to describe its grandeur, and the wild and romantic beauty of its scenery, would far transcend the limits of this sketch, or the powers of our pen. They must be seen and dwelt upon, in order to be fully realized. The present buildings and localities of West Point proper, will be described in connexion with the Military Academy.

West Point proper was originally granted by the British Crown to Captain John Evans; but afterwards vacated and reassumed by the Crown, which finally granted it to Charles Congreve, May 17, 1723, on condition that it should be actually settled within three years from that date. Another portion, originally patented to Evans, adjoining the southwest corner of the preceding, was patented to John Moore, March 25, 1747, on a like condition of settlement within three years. patent of Congreve having been purchased by Moore, both patents descended by will to Stephen Moore of North Carolina, by whom

The

they were deeded to the United States, September 10, 1790, in accordance with an Act of Congress of July 5, the same year. The tract adjoining Congreve's patent, on the south, was one of those granted to Gabriel and William Ludlow, October 18, 1731; and it was finally purchased by the United States from Oliver Gridley of New Jersey, May 13, 1824. The jurisdiction of West Point was ceded by New York to the United States, March 2, 1826; reserving the usual right of serving civil or criminal process there.

For information concerning the fortifications at West Point we are chiefly indebted to Sparks's Writings of Washington, a work of inestimable value. It appears that Fort Constitution, on the island or point of that name, was already in existence, in July, 1776; when General George Clinton garrisoned it, and collected sloops and boats there, to form a chain of them across the river, but with the intention of burning them, if the enemy should break through. His brother, Colonel James Clinton, had been stationed for several

weeks at Fort Constitution, superintending the construction of military works in the Highlands. In October of the same year, the same gentleman, then a brigadier-gencral in the continental service, was placed in command of the Highland posts. A chain was stretched across the river, opposite Fort Montgomery, as a barrier against the enemy's shipping; but this fell into the enemy's hands on their capture of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, October 6, 1777; and they having then the command of the river, Fort Constitution was evacuated by our troops. The enemy demolished Forts Constitution and Montgomery, but were repairing Fort Clinton, till the announcement of Burgoyne's capture, when they abandoned it, October 26, and sailed down the river.c "On the 5th of November, 1777, Congress appointed General Gates to command in the Highlands, or rather connected that post with the northern department, and invested him with ample powers to carry on the works; but as he was soon after made President of the Board of War, he never entered upon these duties."d

a

Sparks, iii. 469.

c Ib. v. 104 and 123.

b Ib. iv. 149.

d Ib. v. 282.