He would have attacked rapidly in April the weak American army and, after destroying or dispersing it, would have turned to meet Burgoyne coming southward from Canada.

Howe did send a strong force into New Jersey.

But he did not know how weak Washington really was, for that master of craft in war disseminated with great skill false information as to his own supposed overwhelming strength.

Howe had been bitten once by advancing too far into New Jersey and was not going to take risks.

He tried to entice Washington from the hills to attack in open country.