With the loss of this command, and the failed attempts to re-conquer the northern colonies, the British government decided on a new strategy to win the war.  General Howe, commander of the main battle army of the British empire, was ordered to withdraw from Philadelphia and consolidate his forces in New York City. 

 

In May, 1778 Howe relinquished command of the 20,000-strong British Army to General Clinton.  Clinton was faced with the challenge to successfully complete his mission to move the army from Philadelphia to New York.

 

French naval power became a concern when France entered the war as a military ally to the young United States.  The Atlantic Squadron of the French Navy was on its way from Europe to North American waters.

 

Two options were available to Clinton.  Move his men, along with the equipment of the main battle army of the Empire, by water, or by land.  The choice was in-part made for him by the demand of prominent Loyalist Joseph Galloway of Philadelphia.  Galloway insisted that the British Army evacuate the thousands of Loyalists in Philadelphia, rather than them face the retribution of the resurgent rebel (Patriot) forces.

 

Clinton agreed to Galloway's demand.  Now the general was faced with moving his vast army, divided into two divisions and burdened by a baggage train some twelve miles in length, across hostile New Jersey.

 

The quickest route, although not the safest, was across the narrow waist-band of New Jersey, from Haddonfield to Mt. Holly, to Allentown, Hightstown, Cranbury, to New Brunswick, and then to Perth Amboy and Staten Island. 

 

For a week in June, 1778, the two great armies of the American Revolution played a cat and mouse game that could have ended the American Revolution on the beaches of Sandy Hook.