Washington parried this movement by so guarding the narrow neck of the peninsula leading to the mainland that the cautious Howe shrank from a frontal attack across a marsh.

After a delay of six days, he again embarked his army, landed a few miles above Throg's Neck in the hope of cutting off Washington from retreat northward, only to find Washington still north of him at White Plains.
A sharp skirmish followed in which Howe lost over two hundred men and Washington only one hundred and forty.

Washington, masterly in retreat, then withdrew still farther north among hills difficult of attack.
Howe had a plan which made a direct attack on Washington unnecessary.

He turned southward and occupied the east shore of the Hudson River.

On the 16th of November took place the worst disaster which had yet befallen American arms.