The loss of the assailants, according to Mr.
Stedman, amounted to eight hundred men.

This loss fell heaviest on the Germans.
[Sidenote: Evacuation of Fort Lee.] {November 18.} On the surrender of fort Washington, it was determined to evacuate fort Lee; and a removal of the stores was immediately commenced.
Before this operation could be completed, a detachment commanded by Lord Cornwallis, amounting to about six thousand men, crossed the North River below Dobb's ferry, and endeavoured, by a rapid march, to enclose the garrison between the North and Hackensack Rivers.

An immediate retreat from that narrow neck of land had become indispensable, and was with difficulty effected.

All the heavy cannon at fort Lee, except two twelve-pounders, with a considerable quantity of provisions and military stores, including three hundred tents, were lost.

After crossing the Hackensack, General Washington posted his troops along the western bank of that river, but was unable to dispute its passage at the head of about three thousand effectives, exposed, without tents, in an inclement season; he was in a level country, without a single intrenching tool, among people far from being zealous in the American cause.