After completing their forage, the British army returned to New York.

[Sidenote:  Expedition of the British against Egg Harbour.]

This movement had been, in part, designed to cover an expedition against Little Egg Harbour, which was completely successful; and the works and store-houses at the place, as well as the merchandise and vessels, were entirely destroyed.

[Sidenote:  Pulaski surprised, and his infantry cut off.]

It has been already stated that Count Pulaski had been appointed general of the American cavalry.  The dissatisfaction given by this appointment to the officers, had induced him to resign his commission; but, thirsting for military fame, and zealous in the American cause, he obtained permission to raise a legionary corps, which he officered chiefly with foreigners, and commanded in person.  In this corps, one Juliet, a deserter, had been admitted as an officer.  The Count had been ordered to march from Trenton towards Little Egg Harbour, and was lying eight or ten miles from the coast, when this Juliet again deserted, carrying with him intelligence of Pulaski’s strength and situation.  A plan was formed to surprise him, which succeeded completely so far as respected his infantry, who were put to the bayonet.  The British accounts of this expedition assert that the whole corps was destroyed.  Pulaski stated his loss at about forty; and averred that on coming up with his cavalry to the relief of his infantry, he repulsed the enemy.  It is probable that the one account diminishes the importance of this enterprise as much as the other magnifies it.

[Sidenote:  October 12.]

Admiral Byron reached New York, and took command of the fleet about the middle of September.  After repairing his shattered vessels, he sailed for the port of Boston.  Soon after his arrival in the bay, fortune disconcerted all his plans.  A furious storm drove him out to sea, and damaged his fleet so much that he found it necessary to put into the port of Rhode Island to refit.  This favourable moment was seized by the Count D’Estaing, who sailed, on the 3d of November, for the West Indies.

Thus terminated an expedition from which the most important advantages had been anticipated.  A variety of accidents had defeated plans judiciously formed, which had every probability in their favour.

The Marquis de Lafayette, ambitious of fame on another theatre, was desirous of returning to France.  Expecting war on the continent of Europe, he was anxious to tender his services to his king, and to his native country.

From motives of real friendship as well as of policy, General Washington was desirous of preserving the connexion of this officer with the army, and of strengthening his attachment to America.  He therefore expressed to congress his wish that Lafayette, instead of resigning his commission, might have unlimited leave of absence, to return when it should be convenient to himself; and might carry with him every mark of the confidence of the government.