[Sidenote:  July 5.]

After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, Sir Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, whence his army passed over to New York.

CHAPTER II.

Count D’Estaing arrives with a French fleet....  Meditates an attack on the British fleet in New York harbour....  Relinquishes it....  Sails to Rhode Island....  Lord Howe appears off Rhode Island....  Both fleets dispersed by a storm....  General Sullivan lays siege to Newport....  D’Estaing returns....  Sails for Boston....  Sullivan expresses his dissatisfaction in general orders....  Raises the siege of Newport....  Action on Rhode Island....  The Americans retreat to the Continent....  Count D’Estaing expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a letter to congress....  General Washington labours successfully to heal these discontents....  Lord Howe resigns the command of the British fleet....  Colonel Baylor’s regiment surprised....  Captain Donop defeated by Colonel Butler....  Expedition of the British against Egg Harbour....  Pulaski surprised.

[Sidenote:  1778 July.]

[Sidenote:  Count D’Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a French fleet under his command.]

Before General Washington could reach the ground he designed to occupy, intelligence was received that a powerful French fleet, under the command of the Count D’Estaing, had appeared off Chingoteague inlet, the northern extremity of the coast of Virginia.

The Count had sailed from Toulon on the 13th of April, with twelve ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a respectable body of land forces.  His destination was the Delaware; and he hoped to find the British fleet in that river, and their army in Philadelphia.  An uncommon continuance of adverse winds, protracted his voyage across the Atlantic to the extraordinary length of eighty-seven days.  This unusual circumstance saved the British fleet and army.

[Sidenote:  He meditates an attack on the British fleet at New York, but is obliged to relinquish it.]

On reaching the capes of the Delaware, the Count announced his arrival to congress; and, having failed in accomplishing his first object, proceeded along the coast to New York, in the hope of being able to attack the British fleet in the harbour of that place.

Sir Henry Clinton was again indebted to some fortunate incidents for his safety.

The violent storms of the preceding winter had broken through the narrow isthmus by which Sandy Hook was connected with the continent, and had converted the peninsula into an island.  This rendered it necessary for the army to pass from the main to the Hook on a bridge of boats, which would have been impracticable, if obstructed by a superior fleet.  It was effected the very day on which D’Estaing appeared off Chingoteague inlet.

[Sidenote:  July 13.]