Fort Putnam (1)
Fort Putnam (1) (1778-18??) - First established in 1778 as a Revolutionary War fort at Fortress West Point, Orange County, New York. Established by Colonel Rufus Putnam, 5th Massachusetts Infantry and named after him. Rebuilt and enlarged in 1794 as a First System fort, abandoned as a military post sometime in the early 1800s. Not infrequently referred to in West Point literature as "Fort Put".
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Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
Fort Putnam was a Revolutionary War fort built on Crown Hill at West Point to protect Fort Clinton and the plain below from a land attack. Construction began on 11 Apr 1778 as one of two principal forts, designed to withstand a 10 day siege. Ramparts originally constructed with dry stone masonry later reinforced with lime mortar. Interior included three casemates, two bomb proofs and a provision magazine. Garrison planed at 420 men most to be housed in tents and huts outside the fort. Armed in 1780 with five 18 pounders, two 12 pounder, two 6 pounders, one 4 pounder and four 5.5" mortars.
Abandoned as a military post sometime in the early 1800s.
Current Status
Must See! Located on the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Restored in 1909 and refurbished in 1975-1976. Current site is only accessible by guided tour. Site includes period cannons mounted in place on period carriages. Exceptional visitor center and museum located at the post entrance below.
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Location: Crown Hill, USMA, West Point, Orange County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 41.390288 Long: -73.963507 |
See Also:
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 591.
- West Point Fortifications Staff Ride Note Cards, 3rd ed, USMA History Department, January 1994 changed 1998 and 2008, Pdf, 82 pages, page 43-46.
Links:
Visited: 20 Aug 2010