West Point
The Continental Army’s Home Base
In August 1782, Pierre Charles L’Enfant painted West Point, the administrative and strategic center of the Continental Army. Since the spring of 1778, West Point had become the army’s largest post. During that summer, New England troops dug entrenchments on the surrounding hills and built fortifications on Constitution Island, across the river. These buildings and fortifications are visible in L’Enfant’s scene.
Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
Take a closer look at the outlying defenses on the rocky hills and cliffs south of West Point.
ExploreTake a closer look at the fortifications on both sides of the Hudson River.
ExploreTake a closer look at a group of soldiers in the foreground of the painting.
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