Stony Point is a peninsula on the Hudson River of New York State, approximately 25 miles north of Manhattan. The Battle of Stony Point was fought on July 15-16, 1779 by Continental troops armed only with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets to avoid detection and preserve the key element of surprise. Using a plan devised by General Washington and modified by General Wayne, the Americans marched south from Sandy Beach near West Point, and arrived at Springsteel's farm, about a mile and a half from Stony Point, some eight hours later. As they approached the peninsula from the west,they formed two attack columns, and wore pieces of white paper in their hats to avoid confusion in the darkness. They were also directed, in General Wayne's battle orders,to shout a watchword - "The Fort's Our Own" - when the defenses were "forced and not before. . . to drive the Enemy from their Works and Guns which will favor the pass of the whole troops." One column would proceed around the peninsula on the south, the other on the north, while a third column positioned in the center fired shots to divert the British defenders.