From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
August 5.—Certain intelligence having been received that Clinton had embarked the principal part of his force, at New York, and had proceeded to Huntington Bay, on his way to Rhode Island, to make a combined attack on the fleet and army of our allies now there, his Excellency General Washington marched from his camp at Prackness in Jersey, the 29th of July, and crossed the North River on the 31st, when a junction was formed with the troops under the command of Major-General Howe. His excellency had resolved, in case the enemy should continue their course to Rhode Island, to march immediately to New York and attack it. All the necessary preparations were made for this purpose, when intelligence arrived that the enemy had put back. It is to be regretted that they did not go on with their intended expedition, as our allies were well prepared to receive them, and they could have met with nothing but disgrace and defeat in that quarter; while in this we had every reason to expect, from the number and spirit of our troops, the most decisive and glorious success. Sir Henry no doubt relinquished his project, in consequence of this movement of our army; and it must be confessed that he abandoned it with much more prudence than he undertook it. The object for which the army crossed the river having ceased, the whole recrossed yesterday, and are marching towards Dobb’s Ferry, in prosecution of the original plan formed for the campaign. The following are the vessels that composed Admiral Graves’ squadron, viz.: the London, Bedford, Royal Oak, Prudent, America, and Shrewsbury, with the Amphitrite frigate.1
1 Pennsylvania Packet, August 15.