four in the
morning
The Chief , having assured himself that the British aimed to obtain command of the river , determined upon the retreat which ranks as one of the greatest military achievements in history . On the night of the 29th , under cover of a heavy fog , the feat of embarking nine thousand men , with all the ammunition and field-pieces of the army , and ferrying them across the East River with muffled oars , was accomplished within earshot of the enemy . Washington rode from regiment to regiment , superintending and encouraging , finally taking his stand at the head of the ferry stairs . He stood there until the last man had embarked at four in the morning . The last man was Hamilton . His was one of the regiments , and the rear one , detailed to cover the retreat , to attract fire to itself if necessary . His position was on the Heights , just outside the intrenchments , at the point closest to the enemy .