It would besides hardly be safe to take the army by sea for the French fleet might be strong enough to capture the flotilla.
There was nothing for it but, at whatever risk, to abandon Philadelphia and march the army across New Jersey.

It would be possible to take by sea the stores and the three thousand Loyalists from Philadelphia, some of whom would probably be hanged if they should be taken.

Lord Howe, the naval commander, did his part in a masterly manner.

On the 18th of June the British army marched out of Philadelphia and before the day was over it was across the Delaware on the New Jersey side.

That same day Washington's army, free from its long exile at Valley Forge, occupied the capital.