Everett T. Tomlinson

“ Many of the New Jersey people, hopeless now of the success of Washington, were heeding the somewhat lurid "proclamations" which Howe caused to be scattered among the country districts. The groans of the American prisoners who were suffering in the improvised prisons in New York or on board the foul prison ships found a response in the hearts of the timid, who were eager to abandon the apparently hopeless task. Money was wanting, provisions were scarce, jealousy was rife among the leaders, and even the most devoted friends of the cause were clamoring for some decisive blow to be struck. ”

“ Sullivan was to advance as far as Morristown and remain there, and every day Washington was expecting to receive word that the British had quickly returned to New York and were advancing with all haste up the Hudson. He could not persuade himself that Howe really was planning to abandon New York, give up all thought of going to the aid of Burgoyne, and make an attack upon Philadelphia, which, though it was the capital of the new nation, was not looked upon as valuable from a military point of view. ”

“ In all probability Howe did not know just what he would do, until the summer was well-nigh gone. He was striving to mislead his foxy adversary, and not leave New York too poorly defended if the rebel leader should decide to attack there instead of going up the Hudson to the aid of the Northern army, and at the same time he was holding himself in readiness to go, or send aid, to John Burgoyne, in case his fellow officer required his assistance, which he still was unable to believe would be in the least necessary. ”