But the difficulty of a perfect co-operation of detachments, incapable of communicating with each other, determined him to postpone the attack on Verplank's, and to make that part of the plan dependent on the success of the first.

His whole attention therefore was turned to Stony Point; and the troops destined for this critical service, proceeded on it as against a single object.
[Sidenote: July.] The execution of the plan was entrusted to General Wayne, who commanded the light infantry of the army.

Secrecy was deemed so much more essential to success than numbers, that no addition was made to the force already on the lines.

One brigade was ordered to commence its march, so as to reach the scene of action in time to cover the troops engaged in the attack, should any unlooked-for disaster befall them; and Major Lee of the light dragoons, who had been eminently useful in obtaining the intelligence which led to the enterprise, was associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be employed in such a service.

The night of the fifteenth, and the hour of twelve, were chosen for the assault.
Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting far into the Hudson, which washes three-fourths of its base.