The command of King's Ferry was an object worth the attention of either army; and Washington had comprehended the points which protect it within his plan of defence for the Highlands.

A small but strong work, termed fort Fayette, was completed at Verplank's, and was garrisoned by a company commanded by Captain Armstrong.

The works on Stony Point were unfinished.

As the season for active operations approached, Sir Henry Clinton formed a plan for opening the campaign with a brilliant _coup de main_ up the North River; and, towards the latter end of May, made preparations for the enterprise.
[Sidenote: May.] These preparations were immediately communicated to General Washington, who was confident that the British general meditated an attack on the forts in the highlands, or designed to take a position between those forts and Middlebrook, in order to interrupt the communication between the different parts of the American army, to prevent their reunion, and to beat them in detail.

Measures were instantly taken to counteract either of these designs.