The 1776 campaign demonstrated that regaining New England would be a prolonged affair, which led to a change in British strategy. This involved isolating the north from the rest of the country by taking control of the Hudson River, allowing them to focus on the south where Loyalist support was believed to be substantial.Ketchum 1997, pp. 79–80 In December 1776, Howe wrote to the Colonial Secretary Lord Germain, proposing a limited offensive against Philadelphia, while a second force moved down the Hudson from Canada.Ketchum 1997, pp. 81–82 Germain received this on February 23, 1777, followed a few days later by a memorandum from Burgoyne, then in London on leave.Ketchum 1997, p. 84
