From the March 20, 2019, Washington Post "Weird weather saved America three times" by Gillian Brockell.
General George Washington and the Continental Army lost badly to the British in the Battle of Long Island. They were outnumbered two to one. One fifth of his force were either killed, wounded or captured. And, on the evening of August 29, 1776, they were pinned down in Brooklyn between the British Army and the East River.
Rain had hurt Washington in earlier endeavors, but this time he got a solid in the form of liquid and gas. First, rain slowed the British advance and gave Washington time to plan an escape. As the sun went down, Washington gathered every boat he could and began, very quietly, evacuating his army.
Oars were muted and campfires remained lit to fool the British. But the sun came up and the British saw. Americans were still on the shore and in peril when a tremendous fog rolled in. One soldier reported that you couldn't see more than 20 feet away.
That was all Washington needed as he boarded the last boat to leave the shore. he and his army would be able to fight another day.
----CootFog
