The strategic significance of controlling the Hudson River lay in its potential to connect New England with the southern colonies.

For the British, seizing this crucial waterway would enable them to effectively split the American colonies, isolating New England and disrupting key communication and supply lines. This separation aimed to undermine colonial resistance and simplify the management of British military operations. Furthermore, controlling the Hudson River would enhance troop movements and logistics, ultimately serving as a vital component of the British strategy during the Revolutionary War.