Constitution Island
Encyclopedia
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. It is part of the grounds of the United States Army Garrison, West Point. United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. Known as Martelaer's rock in colonial times, it was renamed Constitution Island in 1775.
The island is best known for the Great Chain
Hudson River Chain
The Hudson River Chain may refer to any of several chains used as a blockade across the Hudson River intended to prevent British naval vessels from proceeding up the river during the American Revolutionary War.-The Great Chain :...
, a heavy chain that was placed by the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
across the river from the island to the mainland of West Point, then a fort of the Continental Army. This chain, intended to prevent British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
naval vessels from navigating the river during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
was in place from 1778 to 1782.
The island also had fortifications and an artillery battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
to defend the Continental positions. The island was the home of the Warner family from 1836 to 1915, including sisters Susan Warner
Susan Warner
Susan Bogert Warner , was an American evangelical writer of religious fiction, children's fiction, and theological works.-Biography:...
and Anna Bartlett Warner
Anna Bartlett Warner
Anna Bartlett Warner was an American writer, the author of several books, and of poems set to music as hymns and religious songs for children...
. The Warner sisters were noted religious writers and also led Bible studies for the West Point cadets.
The Warner House is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, owned and operated by the United States Army Garrison, West Point. Tours are open to the public on a limited basis. For more West Point History visit:
http://www.usma.edu/museum
External links
- Constitution Island Association
- Warner House information at the West Point web site