Description: New Windsor Cantonment: 1782-83, Vails Gate, Orange County. During much of the Revolutionary War, New Windsor served as the major depot for the Continental Army and Army Medical Dept. In October 1782, the troops began to arrive and set up tents, while they began building their huts. This encampment or cantonment covered 1600 acres and quartered 6000-8000. Here this army built a log city of over 700 huts for the soldiers and many other out buildings, guardhouses, blacksmith shops, stable, kitchens, hospital, and a 110 by 30 foot assembly hall called the "temple" for worship service were constructed. Troops furloughed June 1783, buildings sold off September 1783. In order to reward the fidelity and faithfulness of three soldiers, Gen.Washington ordered the establishment of an honor, the Badge of Merit be bestowed on them. Today, this honor is known as the Purple Heart. The Town of New Windsor acquired a 167 plus acre tract consisting of much of the former hut sites, and since 1936, the Town of New Windsor and the National Temple Hill Association have strived to ensure the preservation of this the final winter encampment. In addition, the temple site is operated by the State of New York, known as the New Windsor Cantonment with a museum established on site in 1965. Located there is the Mountainville Hut, believed to be a survivor from the encampment. Nearby is Knox's Headquarters - a 1754 stone house built by noted stone mason William Bull, for John Ellison off Forge Hill Road.