To avoid the danger of retreating up the narrow neck of land which has already been described, some boats had been brought in the course of the night to Dow’s Ferry on the Hackensack, not far from Powles Hook.  The officer who guarded them was directed to remain until the arrival of the troops engaged in the expedition, which, it was understood, would happen before day.  The light having made its appearance without any intelligence from Major Lee, the officer having charge of the boats conjectured that the attack had been postponed; and, to avoid discovery, retired with them to Newark.  The head of the retreating column soon afterwards reached the ferry; and, fatigued as they were by the toilsome march of the preceding night, were compelled to pass as rapidly as possible up the narrow neck of land between the two rivers to the new bridge.  A horseman was despatched with this information to Lord Stirling, and the line of march was resumed.

About nine in the preceding evening, Major Buskirk had been detached up the North River with a considerable part of the garrison of Powles Hook, and some other troops, for the purpose of falling in with the American party supposed to be foraging about the English neighbourhood.

On receiving intelligence of the disappointment respecting the boats, Lord Stirling took the precaution to detach Colonel Ball with two hundred fresh men to meet Lee, and cover his retreat.  Just after Ball had passed, Buskirk entered the main road, and fired on his rear.  Taking it for granted that this was only the advanced corps of a large detachment sent to intercept the party retreating from Powles Hook, Ball made a circuit to avoid the enemy; and Buskirk, finding a detachment he had not expected, took the same measure to secure his own retreat.  The two parties, narrowly missing each other, returned to their respective points of departure; and Lee reached the new bridge without interruption.[19]

[Footnote 19:  The author states these facts from his own observation, and conversations with other officers of the detachment.]

This critical enterprise reflected much honour on the partisan with whom it originated, and by whom it was conducted.  General Washington announced it to the army in his orders with much approbation; and congress bestowed upon it a degree of applause more adapted to the talent displayed in performing the service than to its magnitude.

[Sidenote:  Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.]

A few days after the surprise of Powles Hook, the long expected fleet from Europe, under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot, having on board a reinforcement for the British army, arrived at New York.  This reinforcement however did not enable Sir Henry Clinton to enter immediately on that active course of offensive operations which he had meditated.  It was soon followed by the Count D’Estaing, who arrived on the southern coast of America with a powerful fleet; after which the British general deemed it necessary to turn all his attention to his own security.  Rhode Island, and the posts up the North River were evacuated, and the whole army was collected in New York, the fortifications of which were carried on with unremitting industry.