While this manoeuvre was performing in the face of the detachment under Grant, a small party was thrown into the church yard, on the road towards General Gray, which also gave the appearance of an intention to attack in that quarter.  By these dispositions, happily conceived, and executed with regularity, the Marquis extricated himself from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable.  In a letter to congress, General Washington termed it “a timely and handsome retreat,” and certainly the compliment was merited.

It might be supposed that this young nobleman had not displayed the same degree of military talent in guarding against the approach of danger, as in extricating himself from it.  But the imputation which generally attaches to an officer who permits an enemy to pass unobserved into his rear, is removed by a circumstance stated by Lafayette.  The Pennsylvania militia were posted on his left flank with orders to guard the roads about White Marsh.  Without his knowledge, they changed their position, and retired into the rear, leaving that important pass open to the enemy.

[Sidenote:  General Howe resigns his command and returns to England; is succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton.]

This was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe.  He resigned the command of the army into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, and embarked for Great Britain.  About the same time, orders were received for the evacuation of Philadelphia.  The part it was now evident France was about to take in the war, and the naval force which had been prepared by that power before she declared herself, rendered that city a dangerous position, and determined the administration to withdraw the army from the Delaware.

The preparations for this movement could not be made unobserved; but they indicated equally an embarkation of the whole army, or an intention to march to New York through Jersey.  The last was believed by the American chief to be most probable; and he made every exertion to take advantage of the movement.  His detachments were called in, and the state governments were pressed to expedite the march of their levies.

In the mean time Sir Henry Clinton hastened his preparations for the evacuation of Philadelphia; and the opinion that he intended to reach New York through Jersey, gained ground.

General Maxwell, with the Jersey brigade, was ordered over the Delaware to take post at Mount Holly, and to join Major General Dickenson, who was assembling the militia of that state for the purpose of co-operating with the continental troops, in breaking down the bridges, felling trees in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing the march of the British General.

[Sidenote:  June 17.]

In this state of things intelligence was received that a great part of the British army had crossed the Delaware, and that the residue would soon follow.