Fort Lee Historic Park is located atop a bluff of the Hudson Palisades overlooking Burdett's Landing, known as Mount Constitution, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States. The bluff was the site of George Washington's 1776 encampment opposite Fort Washington at the northern end of Manhattan. Fort Lee is named for General Charles Lee. The site is a reconstruction of the encampment including the blockhouse, battery, quarters as well as a visitors center. It is part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
SITE FEATURES
Reconstructions, Gift Shop, Programs, Exhibits
On this site...
Fort Lee, originally Fort Constitution, was a Revolutionary War-era fort located on the crest of the Hudson Palisades in what was then Hackensack Township, New Jersey opposite Fort Washington at the northern end of Manhattan Island. George Washington, then commander of the Continental Army, issued orders to General Mercer to summon all available troops and erect a fort on the west side of the Hudson River. Construction commenced in July 1776 on the new fort, to be called Fort Constitution. The fort was located on the western side of the road that led up the hill from the landing. Concurrently, Fort Washington was being built almost directly across the North River (Hudson River) in New York. Chevaux-de-frise, south of the Hudson River Chain, were laid between them.
FORT
EST. JUL 1776
FORTIFICATION
BATTLEFIELD
Fort Lee was rendered defenseless after Continental Army troops holding Fort Washington were defeated and captured on November 16, 1776. The Royal Navy controlled the Hudson River. General William Howe ordered Charles Cornwallis to "clear the rebel troops from New Jersey without a major engagement, and to do it quickly before the weather changed." The force included Hessian units commanded by Colonel Carl von Donop.
The invasion of New Jersey began the night of November 19–20, when 5,000 British troops were ferried across the Hudson on barges. British military Commander Lord Cornwallis landed a force of between 2,500 and 5,000 at what was sometimes known as the "Lower Closter Landing", later known as Huyler’s Landing or "Huyler's", on November 20, 1776. George Washington and Nathanael Greene quickly ordered the evacuation of the fort on the morning of November 20, 1776.
HISTORIC PEOPLE
Nathaniel Greene
Major General
Charles Cornwallis
Major General