Site of a Revolutionary Incident

In the summer of 1775, as tensions simmered between the American colonies and the British Empire, the first whispers of conflict reached the shores of Long Island. Fort Pond Bay at Montauk became a strategic point of interest for the British during the Siege of Boston. John Dayton, facing limited troops, employed a clever tactic known as Dayton’s Ruse, creating the illusion of a larger army by manipulating his soldiers’ appearances. This cunning deception delayed the British advance, setting the stage for future confrontations.

The following year, the Battle of Long Island saw the fall of East Hampton ports to British blockade. However, the spirit of resistance burned brightly, culminating in the first American victory in New York after the battle. Meigs Raid on Sag Harbor, witnessed Connecticut continentals raiding British positions, inflicting significant damage without losing a single soldier. Among the heroes of this raid is Isaac Van Scoy, whose brave stand against British forces is etched into local lore.

(Source: East Hampton’s Revolutionary War Era)