Every moment was of importance, and yet the days and weeks and months slipped by, and he could get nothing done.

He could neither gain control of the sea, nor gather sufficient forces of his own, although delay now meant ruin.

He saw the British overrun the south, and he could not leave the Hudson.

He was obliged to sacrifice the southern States, and yet he could get neither ships nor men to attack New York.

The army was starving and mutinous, and he sought relief in vain.