Rodney was apprized of the destination of De Grasse, but seems not to have suspected that the whole fleet would sail for the continent of America.  Supposing therefore that a part of his squadron would be sufficient to maintain an equality of naval force in the American seas, he detached Sir Samuel Hood to the continent with only fourteen sail of the line.  That officer arrived at Sandy Hook on the twenty-eighth of August.

Admiral Greaves, who had succeeded Arbuthnot in the command of the fleet on the American station, lay in the harbour of New York with seven ships of the line, only five of which were fit for service.  On the day that Hood appeared and gave information that De Grasse was probably on the coast, intelligence was also received that De Barras had sailed from Newport.

The ships fit for sea were ordered out of the harbour; and Greaves, with the whole fleet, consisting of nineteen sail of the line, proceeded in quest of the French.

Not suspecting the strength of De Grasse, he hoped to fall in with one or the other of their squadrons, and to fight it separately.

Early in the morning of the 5th of September, while the French fleet lay at anchor just within the Chesapeake, the British squadron was descried.  Orders were immediately given by De Grasse to form the line, and put to sea.  About four in the afternoon, the action commenced between the headmost ships, and continued until sunset.  Several ships were much damaged, but neither admiral could claim the victory.  For five successive days the hostile fleets continued within view of each other.  After which, De Grasse returned to his former station within the capes.  At his anchorage ground he found De Barras with the squadron from Newport, and fourteen transports laden with heavy artillery, and military stores proper for carrying on a siege.  The British admiral approaching the capes, found the entrance of the Chesapeake defended by a force with which he was unable to contend, and therefore bore away for New York.

[Sidenote:  Plan of operations against Lord Cornwallis.]

[Sidenote:  The combined armies march for the Chesapeake.]

General Washington had determined to entrust the defence of the Hudson to General Heath, and to command the southern expedition in person.  All the French, and a detachment amounting to upwards of two thousand men from the continental army, were destined for this service.  On the 19th of August, Hazen’s regiment and the Jersey line, were directed to pass the Hudson at Dobbs’ ferry, and take a position between Springfield and Chatham, where they were to cover some bake-houses to be constructed in the neighbourhood, for the purpose of veiling the real designs of the American chief, and of exciting fears for Staten Island.  On the same day, the whole army was put in motion; and on the twenty-fifth the passage of the river was completed.

[Sidenote:  September 6.]