1802: THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY

The history of the Hudson Highlands and West Point provides am excellent microcosm of the entire Revolutionary War. Out of this experience came the traditions and character of American military policy and of the United States Army. From her rich legacy of the American Revolution, the United States bolstered her traditional dedication to civilian supremacy over the military and has continued to emphasize the traditions and responsibilities of the citizen-soldier. Simultaneously, the nation came to realize that it required the services of professional officers to lead a citizen army in time of war and to command a Regular Army in time of peace. Ironically, although Washington, Knox and Hamilton urged the establishment of a national military academy to provide needed professional officers for the Army, it was Thomas Jefferson, an antimilitarist, with consuming interests in the natural sciences and engineering, who actually provided the impetus to found the Military Academy as an engineering school.

West Point--the fortress where Washington and so many other key officers of the Continental Army had served during the eight years of the Revolutionary War--became the home of the Military Academy in 1802. Since then West Point -- the United States Military Academy -- has served the nation's peaceful needs and provided leaders for the nation's armed services in war based in great part upon the legacies of the American Revolution.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This pamphlet is based on the following works: Lieutenant Colonel Dave R. Palmer, The River and the Rock, The History of Fortress West Point, 1775-1783 (New York, 1969) ; Captain Edward C. Boynton, History of West Point (New York, 1863); Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Miller, Jr., The Fortification of Constitution Island 1775-1783 (West Point, 1971).

In addition to owing the listed historians a great deal, the author wishes to acknowledge the editorial assistance of Colonel Roy K. Flint (Associate Professor, Department of History, United States Military Academy), Professor Don Higginbotham (Visiting Professor of Military History, United States Military Academy), and his wife, Ann M. Bradley; the layout and administrative assistance of Mr. Alfred Konecny (Public Affairs Office, United States Military Academy) ; and the cheerful assistance of Miss Mary Monahan and Mrs. Sally French (Department of History, United States Military Academy) who handled the typing chores.

More History of West Point

Introduction
1775: Constitution Island
1776: Twin Forts of the Popolopen
1777: Defeat in the Highlands
1778: Fortifications of West Point
1779: Stony Point
1780: Treason
1781-83: Yorktown to Peace
1802: US Military Academy