General George Washington and the Christmas Day River Crossing

On Christmas Day, patriots not only celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we also celebrate one of the greatest military victories in American history. On December 25th, 1776, General George Washington crossed the frozen Delaware River with 5,400 troops to ambush a force of Hessian mercenaries celebrating Christmas at their winter fort in Trenton, New Jersey. The American victory at the battle of Trenton was a massive boost to moral and General Washington’s legacy as a great leader would live on throughout history.

General George Washington crosses the Delaware River

George Washington was the embodiment of the American spirit. Our founding fathers risked everything they had to take on the world’s greatest military superpower and create their own free and independent country. Many of the founders were younger than 40-years-old, and several of them were still teenagers in 1776. The bravery of these great men is truly inspiring.

On Christmas Day of 1776, Washington’s army split into three groups and crossed the icy Delaware River in the middle of the night. The 2,400 troops accompanied by Washington made it across the river and reached New Jersey just before dawn. The other men, comprised of more than 3,000 troops transporting crucial artillery and supplies, failed to reach the meeting point on time.

Washington knew his plan was risky and he was already three hours behind schedule. There was no time to wait. Washington ordered his men to form two columns and split up, marching towards Trenton on two separate paths. They reached the Hessian’s camp by 8 a.m. and caught the Germans by surprise. Washington expected the Hessians to be groggy and perhaps hung over from the previous night of Christmas festivities. Plus the Hessians underestimated the Americans, who recently lost several battles to the British in New York.

The greatest battles of the Revolutionary War

Little did Washington know, there was a spy amongst his ranks that leaked word to the British about the planned attack. Although the Hessians were not aware of the exact time and date, the spy warned the British and the Hessians that the Americans were plotting to attack them north of the river. The Hessians laughed it off, dismissing the Americans and even welcoming the fight. “Let them come,” Colonel Johann Rall was quoted as saying. “Why defenses? We will go at them with the bayonet.”

Sure enough, the Hessians got their opportunity. By 9:30 a.m. on December 26, the entire town of Trenton was surrounded by Washington’s troops. The 1,400 Hessian soldiers were caught by surprise. Many tried to escape. Some scrambled for their rifles to fight.

Only three Americans were killed in the battle and six were wounded. Twenty-two Hessians were killed and ninety-eight were wounded. The Americans captured more than one thousand prisoners and seized their muskets, powder, and artillery.

The battle was not a huge strategic victory, but the moral boost came at a perfect time for Washington’s starved and exhausted army. Word of the American victory in Trenton inspired more men to join the ranks of the Continental Army in the following months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqCfHj15RQE

Land of the free, home of the brave

After the battle, General Washington and his men had to make a second crossing that was even more treacherous than the first. In the aftermath of the battle, the Hessian supplies were plundered by the Americans. Despite General Washington’s explicit orders for its destruction, casks of captured rum were opened. Some of the celebrating American troops got drunk, which then contributed to a large number of troops that had to be pulled from the icy waters on the return crossing.

Washington also had to transport more than one thousand Hessians across the river while keeping them under guard as prisoners. Not an easy task. One American acting as a guard on one of the crossings observed that the Hessians, who were standing in knee-deep ice water, were “so cold that their underjaws quivered like an aspen leaf.”

Washington’s army crossed the Delaware in shallow Durham boats, which were strongly built vessels about 40-60 feet in length used to transport cargo down the rivers. The stout Durhams were able to survive the ice choked Delaware overloaded with men and supplies. Heavy artillery pieces and horses were transported on large, flat-bottomed ferries.

As if the crossing wasn’t treacherous enough, a storm blew in on Christmas Day just as Washington’s men were reaching the launching point on the Delaware River. What started as a drizzling rain, turned into a downpour of freezing rain and sleet. One of the soldiers later wrote, “It blew a perfect hurricane.” Temperatures for the crossing ranged from 29-33 degrees with heavy winds.

On to Trenton – Victory or Death

General Washington and his men had all the odds stacked against them. Coming off the heals of some devastating losses against the British in New York, the Americans were tired, hungry and underdressed for the winter climate. They were also behind schedule for the surprise Christmas attack. Boarding their ships in the dead of night during a nor’easter, General Washington considered canceling the mission all together.

Finally across the river, Washington’s plan called for a ten mile march to the outskirts of Trenton on roads that were now slick with ice and snow. Washington feared his tired and freezing troops would arrive at Trenton late in the morning, in broad day light, exhausted and muddy, then immediately get massacred by the waiting Hessians.

Weighing his options, Washington was seen sitting on a crate alone, staring into a fire in deep thought. Washington later wrote, when remembering this fateful moment, “As I was certain there was no making a retreat without being discovered and harassed on repassing the river, I determined to push on at all Events.”

General Washington pushed on. He chose the challenge or counter-sign “Victory or Death” for his troops who crossed the river. It took the American Army roughly four hours to march from the river crossing site to the outskirts of Trenton.

Also amongst Washington’s troops that day was 18-year-old James Monroe, who was wounded at the battle of Trenton. James Monroe went on to become the 5th president of the United States.

Merry Christmas to all American patriots

When our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, they pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to each other and to the world. Five of the fifty-six were captured by the British and tortured. Twelve lost their homes through looting, confiscation or arson. Seventeen lost their fortunes. Two lost sons in battle while another had two sons that were captured. Nine lost their lives.

The sacrifice that was made by these fifty-six men and countless others to both establish and maintain our liberty has given us the privilege of living in freedom since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. During this holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the brave men who founded our great country. Also remember that the fight for freedom continues. The day might come where we too need to stand and fight for the cause of liberty.