Operations were commenced by a brigade of Continental troops, under the command of General Parsons, on January 20, 1778, and before June in the same year, the work yet preserved, was thrown up on the north-east angle of the plateau, and named Fort Arnold. To cover the work, early in April, a body of Massachusetts troops, under Colonel Rufus Putnam, began to erect a fort constructed of earth and logs, on Mount Independence, overlooking the plain, which was named, in honor of their commander, Fort Putnam. The old fort yet in existence, bearing the same name, is a relic built, for the most part, in 1794. Forts Webb and Wyllis, lying to the south and named after regimental commanders, were commenced at the same time with Fort Putnam, and were designed to protect West Point from an approach southward by land. All these operations were conducted under the direction of Major-General McDougall, commanding in the Highlands; and in 1779, they were further strengthened and improved, while additional works were thrown up known as redoubts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, covering the Eagle Valley road to the west; redoubt No. 4, on Rocky Hill, in rear of Fort Putnam, and redoubts Nos. 5, 6 and 7, on Constitution Island, by Kosciuszko as the engineer, acting under the general direction of Washington, whose headquarters were established at West Point during a portion of the same year.
The works known as the North and South redoubts, in rear of Garrison's Station, were erected to defend the land approach on the east side of the river.
An interesting letter and accompanying map, from Kosciuszko, relating to these works, is here published for the first time:
"West Point, 25th April, 1779.
"Sir: I send you a ruff map of West Point, with indication as you desire from me, about the Public Buildings, and the Works.
"The Carpenters Compliend about the provision, that he have not enof; he beg your honor to allow them more bred.
| a | House full of Ammunition. |
| b | The Barracks. |
| c | The Carpenter's House. |
| d | The Commissary House. |
| e | For the Fourage. |
| f | The Huts. |
| g | The Read House. |
| h | Baker's House. |
| i | Provision House. |
| k | Small Commissary House. |
| l | Smock House. |
| m | The Barracks. |
| n | The Steble, |
| o | Of the Artellery Officer's House |
| p | Artellery Barracks. |
| q | Greaton's Battery. |
| r | Chain Battery begun last summer. |
| s | Redoubt for fivety men begun last Summer. |
| t | Redoubt for fivety men begun last Summer. |
| u | Guard House. |
| w | Guard House not covered. |
| x | Point of (Projected) Block House with Bumprove for fivety men. |
| y | Swamps. |
Your Most Humble Servant
(Signed) THAD KOSCIUSZKO
Col.
The Honorable
Major General McDougall,
Peekskill."
