One of the most brilliant exploits of the war was the night assault on Stony Point, twelve miles below West Point, and now a State reservation in Rockland County. This was on July 16-17, 1779. It had been occupied by British troops since Clinton's expedition up the Hudson in 1777, and was regarded as almost impregnable. "Mad" Anthony Wayne headed the enterprise, and it was carried out in substantial accordance with a general plan which had been suggested by General Washington. The fort was garrisoned by 700 men, who had fifteen pieces of artillery on the heights. Their surprise was complete, and the capture quickly accomplished. The American loss was 15 killed and 83 wounded; that of the British 63 killed, 61 wounded and 575 made prisoners, only one of the garrison managing to escape. The works were destroyed and the place evacuated. In July, 1779, the British reoccupied it, and began to build defenses, but were soon withdrawn because of the coming of the French fleet, and the Americans took possession and began restoring the fortifications. Arnold's treason was discovered Sept. 23d, 1780, and Stony Point was included in the fortifications which he intended to betray. His treason, his conference with Major Andre below Stony Point, Andre's stay at Hett Smith's house, his capture at Tarrytown and brief confinement at West Point, Arnold's flight and Andre's trial and execution, are too familiar to the readers of American history to require recapitulation here. [Illustration: John Devon] CHAPTER IX. THE WAR OF 1812. Notwithstanding other ostensible causes, it was really necessary to complete the independence of the United States, only partly effected by the War of the Revolution, that the War of 1812 should be begun and fought out. Great Britain claimed the right to search American ships, impress American seamen into her service, and make prizes of all American vessels going to or from France or her allies which did not clear from or touch English ports. France issued retaliatory decrees which were more damaging to America than England. They declared that its vessels which had touched English ports or submitted to be searched by an English ship should be the property of France, and that English goods, wherever found, should be subject to confiscation. Thus endangered by the policy of both nations, Congress in 1809 declared an embargo prohibiting American vessels from sailing from foreign ports, and foreign ships from carrying away American cargoes--a law which virtually suspended our commerce and exposed our merchants to the risks of bankruptcy. England gave notice to the President that her claims before stated would be adhered to, and Congress, seeing no other means of redress, formally declared war on June 18, 1812.