Back to Two Wars, p.2 / 3 - Rogers Island, West Point

Follow Me!

"Eat your heart out, Iron Mike - I'm the senior hero!"

After Lake George, we headed to nearby Ft. Edward, about 30 minutes away. The fort itself is under village houses, but Rogers Island is across the rather small Hudson River. Unknown to me until arrival, is that it is the "Birthplace of the US Army Rangers".  It has a nice museum with plenty of period items to take in, as well a display about the Hudson River itself. A heavy emphasis on Rogers and his Rangers, unsurprisingly. There was a good - if old - video narrated by John Rhys-Davies, of Indiana Jones [and Gimli] fame. Recommend it as a modestly sized visit with an interesting focus, especially if you are in the Army, and a must if you are in the Ranger Regiment!

First static display as you enter

Static display on Jane McCrae - an important historical event of the American Revolution and a lesson in "losing their hearts and minds"!

illustration of Jane McCrae's death

Indian clothing and appearance 

How did the Rangers live on the island?

The Sutlers - where Rangers spend their pay

Fort Edward - now underneath some village residences

 

A Blockhouse

As I'm a miniature gaming geek, I couldn't help but notice that the left-most figure is standing on my shelf with several friends!

The buildings on Rogers Island

Another blockhouse - better protected

Illustrations of Rangers - some are now in an Osprey Book

History of Rogers Rangers in several volumes

Of course, nowadays you'd be arrested to putting children in danger, but back then, everyone had to work and share the risks. Scary to think about!

In case you want more books - this press published some interesting titles.

Farther out on the island, which is pretty heavily overgrown, is a cleared area.

Right by the statue

closeup of Roger's Rules

cemetary - appears to be a rectangular stone wall heavily overgrown with bushes

Cemetary plaque

Liberty Pole in the traffic circle outside the museum

9-11 and Veteran Memorial grounds

Just a couple minutes away, we got a tour of this house, which is on a property with several other period buildings. Enjoyable local history, but they didn't let us take many pics. Benedict Arnold and Gen. Schuyler apparently stayed at the house.

Next day, we visited West Point, where I have family. The Visitor's Center and Military History Museum are located in South Post, the site of Ladycliff College. Both are modern and very nicely done, altho the museum was freezing cold with air conditioning.

Forts Clinton and Montgomery, just south of West Point

Forts Clinton and Montgomery, closeup

Interesting weapons on display at the museum - early repeating weapons

Prussian Needle Guns

Early semi-automatic weapons

Early machine gun - Hotchkiss M1909 Benét–Mercié machine gun - it was used in the American - Mexican border wars and Persian Expedition, and a bit in WWI.

A nuclear mortar round - no kidding!  I tried to find the mythical "nuclear hand grenade" after sighting this crazy munition...

...but there was no sample in the grenade cabinet.

Nice mural of D-Day airdrop at night - Jumpin' Jim Gavin featured to left.

Lookout M1 Abrams! This teeny tank is ready for WWI...

...it reminds me of a coffin with huge treads!

Bazooka case - more properly rocket propelled munitions

USA 12-pounder rifled "James Gun"

CSA 12-pounder "Napoleon" gun-howitzer

Both guns show an interesting bronze finish and olive-green carriages.

Interesting display that will cause any Soldier to reflect. The theme is on the military adventure and reflections of West Point graduates on their service in Vietnam. 

The idea of an adventure board was a cadet initiative. 

My immediate thought in these my advanced years is from another genre, and by JRR Tolkein [a WWI combat veteran] through the voice of his character Bilbo Baggins:

 “We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them.”

Obviously, I'm showing my years...

Some of the reflections - either they don't intend it to be permanent, or they are awaiting funding to make the presentation better.

Part of this officer's adventure was stepping on a booby-trap made from a mortar.

Gen. Westmoreland's uniform.

Of course, the museum has plenty of battle and uniform displays:

These AmRev figs were decent - can't imagine why they don't use better ones!

Nice back view of the gear carried in 1812.

I included this pic more for teh way the all-metal and plastic grease gun looks in the light, than anything else. Something to keep in mind when painting figs!

Overall, this was a good stop as it has both significant period history and significant military history in general, all available in a small area that is easy to view. There are some restrictions about going on to the main post, so check ahead if you want to see more of the academy.

Next post - the battle of Stony Point!