The outlook following the defeat at Fort Washington appeared bleak for the American cause. The reduced Continental Army had dwindled to fewer than 5,000 men and was reduced further when enlistments expired at the end of the year.Schecter 2003, pp. 266–67 Popular support wavered, and morale declined. On December 20, 1776, the Continental Congress abandoned the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia and moved to Baltimore, where it remained for over two months, until February 27, 1777.Fischer, D. 2004, pp. 138–142 Loyalist activity surged in the wake of the American defeat, especially in New York state.Morris, R.B. Morris 1983 (1965) , p. 139
