War Date Signed Free Frank of General George Washington, Addressed to Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, Who Was Constructing the Defenses at West Point

Control of the Hudson River was important strategically during the American Revolution. The river provided a highway north for the British from their stronghold in occupied New York City, and was a potential invasion route for the British coming down from Canada. But it was much more – the Hudson physically separated New England from the rest of the states. To split off these states and interrupt the supply line of men and supplies was a war-long British ambition. It also preoccupied American leaders, who sought means to prevent such a disaster.

There is a narrow S-curve in the Hudson at West Point, so sailing ships seeking to negotiate it must tack and lose speed going around the turn. This leaves them vulnerable to heavy cannon fire from both shores. This seemed like a perfect place for a defensive position to the Americans, and the Continental Army occupied West Point in January 1778; it is the oldest continuously operating Army post in the United States. In 1778, the famed Polish engineer Tadeusz Kosciuszko himself oversaw the construction of the garrison defenses. Fort Clinton was the main defensive garrison, and was the post commanded by Benedict Arnold before his defection to the British. Fort Putnam was completed in 1778 with the purpose of supporting Fort Clinton, which sat about 3/4 of a mile away. It was also suggested that a chain should be stretched from West Point across the Hudson, thus blocking the river, and this was done also.

Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was stationed at West Point, and in 1780 would be named commander of the post. There were two French engineers who had volunteered to assist the Americans and who played major roles in planning and constructing the West Point defenses. One was Stephen Rochefontaine, who was later Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The other was Jean Baptiste Gouvion, who would be killed in action during the French Revolutionary Wars.

On July 20, 1779, from his headquarters at New Windsor, N.Y., Washington wrote St. Clair asking him to consult with the Frenchmen about buttressing the defenses at Fort Putnam, and to make himself thoroughly familiar with how to use the position as a defense. “You will be pleased to examine critically the long Hill in front of Fort Putnam, at the extremities of which the Engineer is commencing some works. Colonel Gouvion or Mr. Rochefontaine will be able more particularly to designate the Hill I mean. The possession of this Hill appears to me essential to the preservation of the whole post and our main effort ought to be directed to keeping the enemy off of it…You will consider this Hill in all its relations and make yourself completely master of its defense. It will be useful that this knowledge should extend to your principal officers; and that your officers in general should be acquainted with the ground on which they are to act. I shall be glad also you will have an eye to the works to be erected to hasten their completion as fast as possible.”

This is the original free frank from that letter, is addressed to “Major General St. Clair, West Point”, and boldly signed by Washington. It is docketed in St. Clair’s hand on the verso: “General Washington, July 20th, 1779, New Windsor.”