Synopses & Reviews
Volume 10 of the Revolutionary War Series opens with Washingtonheadquartered at the Continental army's encampment at Middlebrook, New Jersey, aboutseven miles northeast of New Brunswick, the location of the main British force underGeneral William Howe. From this strategic vantage point in the Watchung Mountains, Washington could survey the country between Perth Amboy and New Brunswick whilekeeping an eye on the road to Philadelphia. Here he weighed contradictoryintelligence reports. The views of the Enemy, surmised Washington, must be togive a severe blow to this Army and to get possession of Philada. Both are objectsof importance; but the former of far the greatest -- while we have a respectableforce in the field, every acquisition of territory they may make will be precariousand perhaps burthensome. Washington also considered the possibility that Howe mightattempt torendezvous his army with General Burgoyne's, thought to be en routefromQuebec to Albany by way of Lake Champlain and the HudsonRiver.
For his part, Howe, whose army outnumberedthe Americans by a margin of more than two to one, hoped to lure Washington awayfrom his defensive positions and force a general engagement. When a series ofBritish maneuvers in late June failed to bring on the desired fight, Howe evacuatedhis army from New Jersey to Staten Island, leaving Washington completely in the darkas to the enemy's next move and keenly aware of the great advantage they derivefrom their navy. Although Howe had abandoned the idea of attacking the mainContinental army, from his new disposition the British commander easily could joinwith Burgoyne via the Hudson, move upon Philadelphia by way of the Delaware River orthe Chesapeake Bay, sail farther south into Virginia or to Charleston, SouthCarolina, or sail northward and invade one of the New Englandstates.
Washington's repositioned his army back atits old camp at Morristown, where it could better assist the American troops atPeekskill, New York, if Howe moved up the Hudson and yet still interfere with anyBritish designs upon Philadelphia. Although surveillance reports revealed that theBritish were preparing for a longer Voyage than up the North River, the Britishcapture of Ticonderoga, New York, convinced Washington that Howe would take thenorthern route, and he swiftly marched the Continental army into New York state, where it remained until it became clear that the British fleet had gone out to sea.Washington then returned to New Jersey, where he made preparations for the defenseof Philadelphia, but with several critical weeks of the summer campaign alreadypassed, he confessed his puzzlement at his foe's decision to sailsouth.