Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/West Point

WEST POINT, a United States military post in Orange co., N. Y.; on the Hudson river, and on the West Shore and the New York, Ontario and Western railroads; 52 miles N. of New York City. It is widely known as the seat of the United States Military Academy. Here are a cemetery where the remains of many distinguished army officers are interred, and the ruins of Fort Putnam. During the Revolutionary War, West Point was fortified to control the river, and a heavy chain was stretched across the river to Constitution Island to prevent British warships from ascending the river. In 1777 the place was captured and destroyed by the British, but new fortifications were built at a cost of $3,000,000. Benedict Arnold was given command of the place Aug. 5, 1780, but escaped on the 25th, after the apprehension of Maj. John André, and the discovery of their plot. There are several important monuments in West Point, including the statue of General Sedgwick, the monument of Kosciusko, that of Major Dade, etc. See United States Military Academy.