From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
October 17.—The British, at New York, have embarked ten full regiments, and the vessels have fell down with them to the Hook. We have information by deserters this day that the enemy have evacuated Paulus Hook and Hoobuck; if so, they have no fort left in Jersey. They were also evacuating Fort Washington and Fort Independence; their other works without King’s Bridge they had abandoned some days ago. We observed them moving off from their encampment nearest us on Staten Island this morning, whether with intent to leave the island, or settle down on some other part of it, is yet uncertain.1
1 New Jersey Gazette, October 21.