In 1776, Brigadier General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, oversaw the construction of fortifications along the Hudson River, including a fort at Paulus Hook, a strategically vital peninsula in present-day Jersey City. Initially manned by American troops, the fort fell to the British following George Washington’s retreat from New York. By 1779, it was a heavily fortified British outpost with a garrison of 400 men under Colonel Abraham Van Buskirk, protected by surrounding marshes and a causeway that restricted access. Despite these defenses, Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee proposed a daring nighttime raid inspired by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s success at Stony Point. Though Washington was hesitant due to Paulus Hook’s proximity to British-held New York, he ultimately approved the operation.
On the night of August 18, 1779, Lee led 400 men on a 14-mile march to Paulus Hook, encountering delays when a guide lost his way and part of the Virginia contingent became separated. Arriving after 3:00 AM, Lee’s troops found their powder soaked and fixed bayonets for a silent attack. Exploiting a moment of confusion among the sentries, they stormed the fort, forcing Major William Sutherland and a small Hessian force to retreat to a redoubt. Though Lee planned to burn the barracks, he abandoned the idea upon discovering civilians inside. With 159 prisoners in hand, he withdrew before British reinforcements could arrive, only to find the escape boats missing. Forced to march north, Lee’s troops fought off a counterattack before reaching safety at New Bridge by midday.
The raid cost the Americans 2 killed, 3 wounded, and 7 captured, while the British suffered over 30 casualties and 159 taken prisoner. Though not a major battle, the success at Paulus Hook, following the victory at Stony Point, pressured British commander Sir Henry Clinton to shift his focus southward, ultimately shaping the next phase of the war. For his bold leadership, Lee received a gold medal from Congress, one of the few such honors awarded during the Revolution.
Stories from Paulus Hook
Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee was a distinguished cavalry commander during the American Revolution, known for leading "Lee's Legion" and his daring raids in the Southern Campaigns.
After an eight-day siege, this strategic outpost fell to the Americans, who used an ingenious structure called Maham’s Tower to fire down into the fort and trap the enemy.
Anthony Wayne, dubbed "Mad Anthony," was a bold Revolutionary War general, key in victories like Stony Point and Fallen Timbers. His fiery reputation earned him his nickname. He died in 1796 in Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.