previous to the attack, had not arrived, nor had
he heard from Captain Peyton, who had charge of the boats.

Struck with apprehension that I should be disappointed in the
route of retreat, I rode forward to the front, under Major
Clarke, whom I found very near the point of embarkation, and no
boats to receive them. In this very critical situation I lost no
time in my decision, but ordered the troops to regain Bergen road
and shove on to the New Bridge; at the same time I communicated
my disappointment to Lord Stirling by express, then returned to
Prior's Bridge to the rear-guard.

Oppressed by every possible misfortune, at the head of troops
worn down by a rapid march of thirty miles, through mountains,
swamps, and deep morasses, without the least refreshment during
the whole march, ammunition destroyed, incumbered with prisoners,
and a retreat of fourteen miles to make good, on a route
admissible of interception at several points, by a moving in our
rear, and another (from the intelligence I had received from the
captured officers) in all probability well advanced on our right;
a retreat naturally impossible to our left; under all these
distressing circumstances, my sole dependence was in the
persevering gallantry of the officers and obstinate courage of
the troops. In this I was fully satisfied by the shouts of the
soldiery, who gave every proof of unimpaired vigour the moment
that the enemy's approach was announced.

Having gained the point of intersection opposite Weehawken, (p. 034)
Captain Handy was directed to move with his division on the
mountain road, in order to facilitate the retreat. Captain
Catlett, of the Virginia regiment, fortunately joined me at this
moment, at the head of fifty men, with good ammunition. I
immediately halted this officer, and having detached two parties,
the one on the Bergen road in the rear of Major Clarke, the other
on the banks of the North River, I moved with the party under the
command of the captain on the centre route. By these precautions
a sudden approach of the enemy was fully prevented. I am very
much indebted to this officer, and the gentlemen under him, for
their alacrity and vigilance on this occasion.

On the rear's approach to the Fort Lee road, we met a detachment
under the comma