No means of defending the fort, or of saving themselves remaining, the garrison became prisoners of war.

Immediate directions were given for completing the works at both posts, and for putting Stony Point, in particular, in a strong state of defence.
It is scarcely supposable that the views of Sir Henry Clinton in moving up the river, were limited to this single acquisition.

The means employed were so disproportioned to the object, as to justify a belief that he contemplated farther and more important conquests.
Whatever may have been his plans, the measures of precaution taken by Washington counteracted their execution; and before Clinton was in a situation to proceed against West Point, General M'Dougal was so strengthened, and the American army took such a position on the strong grounds about the Hudson, that the enterprise became too hazardous to be farther prosecuted.
[Sidenote: July.] [Sidenote: Invasion of Connecticut.] After completing the fortifications on both sides the river, at King's Ferry, Sir Henry Clinton placed a strong garrison in each fort, and proceeded down the river to Philipsburg.

The relative situation of the hostile armies presenting insuperable obstacles to any grand operation, they could be employed offensively only on detached expeditions.

Connecticut from its contiguity to New York, and its extent of sea coast, was peculiarly exposed to invasion.