CHAPTER XV 

 THROGG'S NECK 



"The Lexington of Westchester" — How American Patriots Repulsed the 

 Enemy at Throgg's Neck — Colonel John Glover, the Hero of Pell's Point, 

 Who Saved Washington from Disastrous Defeat — "Spy Oak," from Whose 

 branches a Red-Coat was Hanged. 



T the extreme end of Throgg's Neck is Fort Schuyler, 

 one of ''Uncle Sam's" fortifications on Long Island 

 Sound. The font was begun in 1833 and completed in 

 1856. It was equipped with a battery of twelve-inch 

 mortars, as well as several disappearing guns. On 

 the opposite shore is Fort Totten, on Willett's Point, the Torpedo 

 and Submarine Training Station. 



The fort has proved to be too old fashioned to be of further 

 use, and reliance for attack and defence has been placed in the 

 more modern fortifications at the eastern entrance of the Sound 

 at Fisher's Island. In the summer of 1911 the garrison was with- 

 drawn from Fort Schuyler, and the fort was placed in charge of a 

 sergeant and a small body of men. 



Near Cherry Point, on Throgg's Neck, was the palatial resi- 

 dence of Governor E. D. Morgan. 



Almost every inch of ground hereabouts has its historic points. 

 During the Revolution it was the hotbed of Tories and the center 

 of many a bloody conflict. 



Following the repulse of General Howe's formidable force at 

 the battle of Harlem Heights on September 16th, 1776, Washing- 

 ton withdrew his men to the commanding hills on the upper end of 

 Manhattan Island, where he believed that in the event of a renewal 

 of hostilities he would be better equipped to defend his position 

 with his small force. 



While Washington was busy fortifying Fort Washington, 

 Howe conceived the idea that by getting in the rear of the Ameri- 

 can army and cutting off their supplies, which were chiefly derived 

 from the east, he would have them at his mercy and thus bring 

 the rebellion to a summary end. 



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