The fleet was commanded by Admiral de Ternay, and the land force (5,000) by the Count de Rochambeau, the instructions of the latter being to act subject to the orders of Washington as commander-in-chief. Three days later Clinton, at New York, was re-enforced by the fleet of Admiral Craves, which gave him a naval superiority. He now decided to attack the French at Newport, and as a preparatory measure (says Irving) marched 6,000 men to Throgg's Neck in our county, intending to dispatch them from there on transports. Washington, taking advantage of this great weakening of the British force in New York, and feeling that the French were able to hold their own, immediately made ready to proceed against Kingsbridge. By the end of July he had moved all his forces across King's Ferry into Westchester County, and, making his headquarters in the Birdsall house at Feekskill. was energetically rethis Sir Henry, still at Throgg's Neck, completing his plans. Atproject and returned to Manhattan Island. considered his Newport It was supposed at the time that his erratic action was occasioned partly by the delay in the arrival of his transports, partly by Washington's sudden move, and partly by information which he had received of the strengthening of the French troops by large bodies of militia. But the principal cause was undoubtedly the change in the command at West Point, made just at his time, which seemed to assure him of the early realization by treachery of his long-cherished dream of getting control of the Hudson.