On the 23d and 24th it crossed the Hudson, without annoyance from the British of any kind.

Washington had threatened New York so effectively, and manoeuvred so successfully, that Clinton could not be shaken in his belief that the real object of the Americans was his own army; and it was not until September 6 that he fully realized that his enemy was going to the south, and that Cornwallis was in danger.

He even then hesitated and delayed, but finally dispatched Admiral Graves with the fleet to the Chesapeake.

The Admiral came upon the French early on September 5, the very day that Washington was rejoicing in the news that De Grasse had arrived in the Chesapeake and had landed St.Simon and three thousand men to support Lafayette.

As soon as the English fleet appeared, the French, although many of their men were on shore, sailed out and gave battle.