If in the day, a few moments were allowed for repose, it was taken on the wet earth, which, in consequence of heavy rains, had become a soft mud.

The garrison was relieved by General Varnum every forty-eight hours; but his brigade was so weak that half the men were constantly on duty.
Colonel Smith was decidedly of opinion, and General Varnum concurred with him, that the garrison could not repel an assault, and ought to be withdrawn; but General Washington still cherished the hope that the place might be maintained until he should be reinforced from the northern army.

Believing that an assault would not be attempted until the works were battered down, he recommended that the whole night should be employed in making repairs.

His orders were that the place should be defended to the last extremity; and never were orders more faithfully executed.
{November 11.} {Fourteenth.} Several of the garrison were killed, and among them Captain Treat, a gallant officer, who commanded the artillery.

Colonel Smith received a contusion on his hip and arm which compelled him to give up the command, and retire to Red Bank.