The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [161]
NOVEMBER 4, 1777
The British had withdrawn their army entirely into Philadelphia, had fortified the city with a series of strong earthworks, Howe not risking any exposure to his army that might result in another surprise like Germantown. But the British had essentially cut themselves off from any reliable supply line, the ships at Head of Elk too far away to be of practical use. The danger to the British was their very hold on Philadelphia, that without the ships, the army simply could not be fed. The Delaware River was the most obvious artery for Howe, but a vast fleet of British supply ships was forced to wait far down the river. The Americans had constructed two significant forts on the New Jersey shore, Mercer and Mifflin, manned by enough artillery to keep any British shipping at bay. Both Howe and Washington recognized the critical importance of controlling the river, and for nearly a month, the British launched repeated assaults by land and sea, brutal and bloody attacks led by some of Howe’s finest officers. On November 15, the last American position was overrun, and the British finally controlled the Delaware. Though another devastating defeat for the Americans, both sides understood that the cost had been enormous, not just for the troops, but for their commanders. One name emerged from the reports, familiar even to Washington. Howe had lost one of his most able commanders, and the Hessians one of their finest officers. Among the dead was Colonel Karl von Donop.
NOVEMBER 28, 1777
Washington knew that British troop strength had been weakened in the city, that the assault on the forts down the river had been led by Cornwallis himself. But Washington was weakened as well; Greene, accompanied by Lafayette, had led nearly three thousand men who were still on the New Jersey side of the river, the detachment Washington had hoped would rescue the beleaguered outposts. They had been too late to turn the fight, the forts already surrendered when Greene drew close. Now it would take several days for Greene to return, and Washington could only wonder if there was any way he could still drive the British out of Philadelphia.
He eased the horse along a wide crest, the hill overlooking the entire city. He was surprised they had seen no sign of a British outpost, no lookouts, no one patrolling the farms beyond the city itself. He stopped, raised his field glasses, thought, No, Howe is content to stay put. He is already thinking of his very pleasant winter quarters. He moved the glasses toward the river, could see a row of masts, the activity along the waterfront. The flags were evident as well, the perfect symbol for the British achievement, the flag of their king flying over the American capital. He had expected a great deal more outcry from the congress, knew that there would be ample amounts of anguish from a government that has lost its seat. But the congress was reestablished at York now, and though there was plenty of controversy, he had received very little of the shrill advice he expected, that Philadelphia should be retaken at all costs. No, this is not Europe after all, and even if General Howe does not understand that, we do. Philadelphia was a name on a map, and though most considered it the venue for the government, it had no real meaning as the capital city, nothing so historical that its loss was any kind of devastating blow to the army. In some ways, he thought, It serves us better. It is one quite visible place, just as New York. The enemy is right there, right where we can see them.
The wind was blowing, and he put the glasses away, pulled his coat tighter around him. Winter indeed. We may predict one thing about General Howe. There will be no campaign now, no great long march, no threat.
He had already scouted the most practical location for his own army to camp for the winter. They would avoid the towns, could not so abuse the citizens who were so completely abused already, some of the outlying communities extremely crowded with those who had escaped the city itself.