Howe tested Washington's position at White Plains on October 28. In a hard-fought battle, he captured a hill. Both sides lost between 200 and 300 men. Howe then sat still, enabling Washington to withdraw to a new line at North Castle Height. The Americans busied themselves digging entrenchments. After examining the new American position, Howe with-drew his army.

Cheered by Howe's departure, Washington and his officers pondered their course of action. They posted men to guard the route to the New York highlands and dispatched troops into New Jersey. The garrison at Fort Washington was left in place. British ships had already successfully sailed up the Hudson past both Fort Washington and Fort Lee on the New Jersey shore. Washington questioned the fort's utility, but Nathanael Greene urged him to hold the place.

Washington was still trying to make up his mind on November 16, when Howe sent 13,000 men against the fort in a carefully concerted attack. The defenders in their incomplete fortification were overwhelmed and surrendered. Over 450 British were killed or wounded, but the Americans lost nearly 3,000 men and a huge store of military supplies.

Howe followed up this victory three days later by landing Lord Charles Cornwallis and 4,500 men in New Jersey. The Americans hastily evacuated Fort Lee, losing another valuable cache of supplies. Howe did not aggressively pursue Washington's army. The British commander, true to his deliberate form, was already thinking of going into winter quarters. He had long since given up any idea of pursuing a climactic battle with Washington. Perhaps he no longer believed such a thing was possible with the diffuse yet resilient forces fielded by the Americans. He was now interested in taking territory. While clearing New Jersey, he dispatched Henry Clinton and 6,000 troops to seize Newport, Rhode Island, as a base for operations in New England.

Washington struggled to hold his army together as he retreated across New Jersey. The men were dispirited, and the terms of enlistment were nearing an end for many of them. Washington called on Charles Lee to join him with a force that had been left in New York. Lee dawdled along the way, enjoying his independent command, until he was unexpectedly captured when a British cavalry patrol surrounded the tavern at which he was staying. John Sullivan, released from captivity, brought his troops to the main army. By this time, Washington was in Pennsylvania.

Washington crossed the Delaware River at Trenton on December 11. He collected all the boats in the area and took them with him, making it impossible for the British to follow. Howe distributed troops to various stations in New Jersey and returned to New York. As far as he was concerned, the campaign of 1776 was over.