On the seventh of January, the American army reached Morristown; where huts were erected and the Headquarters of the Continental Army of the United States were established. That army was resting, and working; working, and resting,—but its Commander-in-Chief knew no rest. On the same day, additional orders were issued to General Heath; to General Lincoln, who had reached Peekskill with four thousand New England militia; and to other officers, north and south, in anticipation of ulterior movements through every probable field of the rapidly expanding war. This was also the first occasion for Washington’s exercise of the high prerogative conferred by Congress,—full control of all military operations without consultation with that body. Washington could reprimand, when necessary; while always prompt to commend, when commendation was both deserved and timely. Heath was before Fort Independence on the eighteenth day of January. General Lincoln advanced by the Hudson River road; General Scott by White Plains; and Generals Wooster and Parsons, from New Rochelle and Westchester. A few prisoners were taken at Valentine’s Hill. General Heath, with grave dignity, announced to the Hessian garrison of two thousand men that he would allow them “twenty minutes in which to surrender,” or they must “abide the consequences.” Twenty minutes, thirty minutes, and gradually, ten days elapsed. This large American force, half-organized, as they were—without barracks, in midwinter, under conditions of terrible exposure—endured it all, without flinching, and hardest of all, unrelieved by fighting. Suddenly, the Hessians made a sortie upon the advanced regiment, and the whole army was retired. Its fighting pluck had been frittered away. The combined divisions had arrived with admirable concert of time. The plan was well-conceived and well-initiated; but failed, because a soldier was not in immediate command. As a demonstration toward New York, it did affect Howe’s movements, and compelled him to keep his forces well in hand; but its chief purpose was not realized. On the third day of February, the American Commander-in-Chief again wrote to General Heath, as follows: “This letter is additional to my public one of this date. It is, to hint to you, and I do it with concern, that your conduct is censured, and by men of sense and judgment who have been with you in the expedition to Fort Independence, as being fraught with too much caution; by which the army has been disappointed and in some degree disgraced. Your summons, as you did not attempt to fulfil your threats, was not only idle, but farcical, and will not fail of turning the laugh exceedingly upon us.”