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Philipstown Potpourri
"Darkly an Intrigue"
by Don H. MacDonald
Unsure is whether the following episode on Constitution Island finds documentation in fact. The event was referred to briefly, several decades ago, in a Putnam County publication that included a thumbnail outline of Constitution Island history. It may be assumed that the incident addressed below was considered of no great circumstance, therefore never exposed to light in countless biographies, novels, and histories, over innumerable years, about the happening and the two major players in its portrayal.
If the occurrence is proven nothing more than a well-intentioned tale of inflated local legend, born of fictional imagination, or vivid speculation, then so be it. If, however, the event were found to be valid, it would enhance, most credibly, the already illustrious archives of Constitution Island history. This contributor feels compelled in relating the story, leaving judgment of same to the reader.
Conceivably, one of the general's major reasons, and objectives, for choosing to weaken the "great chain" was that when the British would gain control of West Point they would be afforded uninhibited access toward more easily severing the linkage, thereby opening the Hudson riverway north, to raise, unimpeded, whatever havoc would frustrate the hated colonials!
Having stealth eyes focused on removing, or impairing certain links from the chain, Maj. General Benedict Arnold, sometime during the period from mid-Aug. through mid-Sept., 1780, had occupied a "satellite" headquarters on Constitution Island. (The island rests at the western extremity of Putnam County, N.Y., only a stone's throw south from the village of Cold Spring.) Within the early part of the first week in Aug. Arnold had stationed himself in his main base of operations in the former home of British sympathiser, Beverly Robinson, in Garrison, N.Y. Constitution Island, but a short north sail from Robinson's, would give Arnold far greater "hands on" access to his clandestine scheme of undermining the chain; the chain having its eastern anchorage on the island.
The house, called "Woodcrag", (existing today on the island, of which only a portion of the original remains) was probably, though arguably, the structure from where the general and his wife, Peggy Shippen, concentrated efforts toward crippling the 21/2 year old defensive river impediment. Being ones, by nature, to leave nothing to chance, the Arnolds, should they be questioned concerning meddling with the linkage, would claim the chain in urgent need of repair. The general's word would hardly be challenged, since as of some moment during July, 1780, General Washington had given the two-silverstarred Arnold command of the entire works at West Point; a command of insatiable desire for the incredibly complex personality within the being of Benedict Arnold.
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