Editing Fort Montgomery (Hudson River) (section)

==Background==
The strategic importance of the ability to control navigation along the Hudson River was obvious to both the Americans and the [[United Kingdom|British]] from the outbreak of open hostilities. The Hudson was the major means for transportation of supplies and troops throughout a large portion of the northeast. The fort was constructed at a site noted as early as the seventeenth century for its strategic advantage in controlling navigation along the river.

A month after the first open armed conflict in [[Battle of Lexington and Concord|Lexington]], the [[Continental Congress]] resolved on May 25, 1775 to build fortifications in the Hudson highlands for the purpose of preventing the British from gaining control of the river and dividing the colonies. It noted that "…a post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson’s River and batteries erected in such a manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the borders of said river…"<ref>[http://www.hudsonrivervalley.net/historicaldocs.php "Congressional Resolution to build forts on the Hudson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127222958/http://www.hudsonrivervalley.net/historicaldocs.php |date=2004-11-27 }}, Hudson River Valley</ref>