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Lee, Fort

A Revolutionary War defensive post on the west bank of the Hudson River, opposite New York City. Early on the morning of Nov. 20, 1776, Cornwallis crossed the Hudson from Dobh's Ferry to Closter's Landing, 5 miles above Fort Lee, and with a force about 6,000 strong, including artillery, climbed a steep, rocky pathway up a gorge in the Palisades, unobserved by Greene. A farmer awoke that officer from slumber in the morning twilight, in time for him to escape from imminent peril. He fled in haste from Fort Lee, with the garrison of 2,000 men, leaving cannon, tents, stores, and camp equipage behind. He barely escaped capture. Washington, apprised of the danger, so well covered his retreat that less than 100 stragglers were made prisoners.

Harper and Brothers Publishers. . New York. 1902.

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Nathanael Greene (1)
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November 20th, 1776 AD (1)
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