From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
June 30.—This evening, the party despatched yesterday by his excellency to observe the motions of the enemy, returned to camp. They report that the enemy have continued their march very precipitately. The roads are strewn with knapsacks, firelocks, and other implements of war. On the night of their retreat, they moved off the field so silently, that our outposts did not discover their absence until late in the morning. To-day they are at Sandy Hook, from whence it is expected they will soon remove to New York.1
Thus (says a correspondent) the enemy have had two campaigns to march from New York to Philadelphia, and back again, with the diminution of at least half his army. How much cheaper might his Britannic Majesty buy sheep and oxen in England, in the usual manner, than he now gets them, by employing an army to steal them in America!2
1 Carver, ii. 31. Smythe, in his diary, November 8, says: “This afternoon a party of our horse brought in two rebel privates from Powles Hook, One of them is very intelligent and communicative; but the other is the most whimsical tony I ever have seen. Wherever he goes, he carries with him a large gray cat, which he says came into the rebel camp on the night after the battle at Freehold Meeting-House, and which he first discovered lapping a spot of dry blood on his sleeve, as he lay on his arms expecting another dash at the British. His affection for the cat is as wonderful as hers is for him, for they are inseparable. He says if we don’t allow him extra rations for his cat, he shall be obliged to allow them out of his own.”
2 New York Journal, July 13.