They had twelve thousand men, experienced, disciplined, equipped, and thoroughly supplied.

They had the best arms and cannon and gunpowder.

They commanded the sea with a strong fleet, and they were concentrated on the inside line, able to strike with suddenness and overwhelming force at any point of widely extended posts.

Washington caught them with an iron grip and tightened it steadily until, in disorderly haste, they took to their boats without even striking a blow.

Washington's great abilities, and the incapacity of the generals opposed to him, were the causes of this result.