The cruelties exercised by the Indians in the course of the preceding year, had given a great degree of importance to the expedition now meditated against them; and the relative military strength and situation of the two parties, rendered it improbable that any other offensive operations could be carried on by the Americans in the course of the present campaign.  The army under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, exclusive of the troops in the southern department, was computed at between sixteen and seventeen thousand men.  The American army, the largest division of which lay at Middlebrook, under the immediate command of General Washington, was rather inferior to that of the British in real strength.  The grand total, except those in the southern and western country, including officers of every description, amounted to about sixteen thousand.  Three thousand of these were in New England under the command of General Gates; and the remaining thirteen thousand were cantoned on both sides the North River.  The bare statement of numbers, must show the incompetency of the American army to the expulsion of the British from either New York or Rhode Island.  On their part, therefore, the plan of the campaign was, necessarily, defensive; and the hazards and difficulties attending the execution of even a defensive plan were considerable.

Independent of an extensive coast, at all places accessible to the invading army, the Hudson, penetrating deep into the country which was to be the theatre of action, gave great advantages in their military operations to those who commanded the water.

After the destruction of forts Clinton and Montgomery in 1777, it had been determined to construct the fortifications intended for the future defence of the North River, at West Point, a position which, being more completely embosomed in the hills, was deemed more defensible.  The works had been prosecuted with unremitting industry, but were far from being completed.

Some miles below West Point, about the termination of the Highlands, is King’s Ferry, where the great road, affording the most convenient communication between the middle and eastern states, crosses the North River.  The ferry is completely commanded by the two opposite points of land.  That on the west side, a rough and elevated piece of ground, is denominated Stony Point; and the other, on the east side, a flat neck of land projecting far into the water, is called Verplank’s Point.  The command of King’s Ferry was an object worth the attention of either army; and Washington had comprehended the points which protect it within his plan of defence for the Highlands.  A small but strong work, termed fort Fayette, was completed at Verplank’s, and was garrisoned by a company commanded by Captain Armstrong.  The works on Stony Point were unfinished.  As the season for active operations approached, Sir Henry Clinton formed a plan for opening the campaign with a brilliant coup de main up the North River; and, towards the latter end of May, made preparations for the enterprise.