At length, it being found impossible to bring on a general engagement, the army retired by the North River, to the heights of Fordham; and on the 16th of November, the FIFTH supported the storming party in the capture of _Fort Washington_. A few days afterwards the regiment was detached across the North River against _Fort Lee_, and on the flight of the American troops, it was stationed a short time at English Neighbourhood: but was soon called upon to take an active part in the reduction of _New Jersey_; and in the early part of January, 1777, it was quartered at Maidenhead. The FIFTH passed the remainder of the winter in the island of Jersey. "The weather was particularly severe; the duty unremitting and hard; the enemy watchful; and provisions and forage were not obtained without repeated skirmishes. Nevertheless the soldiers endured these hardships with a fortitude and a perseverance that acquired them infinite honour[35]." The campaign being opened in the early part of June, 1777, the regiment took part in several manœuvres, designed to bring on a general engagement, but the enemy kept in the mountain fastnesses, by which he succeeded in defeating the designs of the British commander; and on the 30th of June the troops embarked from the Jerseys and proceeded to Staten Island. An expedition to Pennsylvania having been resolved on, the FIFTH formed part of the force ordered for this service, and, having embarked at Sandy Hook on the 5th July, sailed to Chesapeak Bay, thence proceeding up the Elk River, landed at Elk Ferry on the 25th of August, and afterwards advanced on Philadelphia: at the same time the enemy took up a position at _Brandywine Creek_, to oppose the advance. But on the 11th of September the enemy's out-posts were driven in and the position attacked. The FIFTH formed part of the force, which advanced to Chad's Ford in the centre of the enemy's line, forced the passage in gallant style, carried the batteries and intrenchments with fixed bayonets, and captured five pieces of cannon and a howitzer. The regiment encamped during the night on the scene of conflict; its only casualties being Ensign Andrews, 1 serjeant, and 12 men wounded.