This is now a commonplace of naval warfare; steam giving always a fair wind.

On the 15th Howe's army crossed under cover of Parker's ships, Hotham again superintending the boat work.

The garrison of New York slipped along the west shore of the island and joined the main body on the Harlem; favored again, apparently, in this flank movement a mile from the enemy's front, by Howe's inertness, and fondness for a good meal, to which a shrewd American woman invited him at the critical moment.
Despite these various losses of position, important as they were, the American army continued to elude the British general, who apparently did not hold very strongly the opinion that the most decisive factor in war is the enemy's organised force.

As control of the valley of the Hudson, in connection with Lake Champlain, was, very properly, the chief object of the British government, Howe's next aim was to loosen Washington's grip on the peninsula north of the Harlem.

The position seeming to him too strong for a front attack, he decided to strike for its left flank and rear by way of Long Island Sound.