As darkness fell and the Battle of Fort Montgomery reached its horrific climax in October 1777, terrified American defenders were driven from their fort at the points of enemy bayonets and fled for their lives. They clambered down 120 feet of steep, rock-strewn terrain to the river, hoping friendly boats awaited to carry them to safety on the far shore. Finding none available, they had to swim. Among those who fled was Hugh Morrison, assistant to his father Robert, a surgeon's mate in the 5th New York Regiment. Many years after the war, Hugh reported that he had been helping his father prepare bandages to dress the wounds of the injured brought into the hospital when a ball from the enemy passed through the side of the hospital and wounded him on the head, making a deep incision. His father picked him up, dressed the flesh wound, and Hugh returned to his duties until the fort was surrendered to the enemy, when those who could escaped. Directed by his father to escape and follow him, Hugh was separated from him at the river, swam above the chain, and arrived safely on the east side of the river. Hugh Morrison was 8 years old at the time.
