Posted on 12/24/2014 11:50:17 AM PST by dware
Posted this way back in 2008. While Jesus is the reason for the season, I think it's important we reflect & remember this event as well, especially given the times we live in today. Merry Christmas, dear FRiends!
Imagine this:
It's Christmas day in Pennsylvania. Cold weather, rain, sleet and snow are the order of the day. The Revolutionary War is almost over, and the British are about to win, leaving America under British control. Indeed, most of the colonists at the time believed that the war was over and the cause was lost. So much so that even local businesses and banks were refusing to give credit to the pro-Freedom cause or anyone connected with it.
Nonetheless, a Colonial General and 2400 of his men took shelter on the Pennsylvania banks of the Delaware river. They were exhausted. Most had not eaten in days. Even more of them wore rags for clothing and had no shoes on their feet, despite the frozen rain that continued to fall on them.
They had left their families, their farms, wives, businesses and more to fight for a free America. Some had been fighting since as early as twelve and thirteen years old. And now, here they sat on the banks of the Delaware facing hostile locals and total, utter defeat. Many of these same men could have easily given up, gone home and accepted life under British rule. Most of their tours were up in a week anyhow, and with the war lost to the British, it didn't make sense to stick around.
Despite the overwhelming odds, they remained. In fact, on that Christmas day, they went even further. Clad in their rags, bear feet and sorry excuses for weapons, they climbed aboard small boats in the dead of night, with the General leading them through an ice choked Delaware river.
Upon successful navigation of the treacherous, cold waters, they disembarked on the New Jersey side of the river, and marched nine miles south towards Trenton, New Jersey in a growing ice storm that battered them from all sides. Somewhere around 5 o'clock that morning, they arrived in Trenton, where a group of German soldiers fighting for the British were encamped.
The German soldiers were expecting them, but figured the weather would keep the colonial army from completing their mission. When the colonists stormed Trenton, the German army was fast asleep. Within 30 minutes, the colonists and their brilliant General had laid waste to the German army, capturing their food, clothing and blankets. Those Germans that managed to escape the attack and head south were met by another General and his small army of 600 men. Needless to say, they didn't escape.
This was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The victory revived the excitement amongst the colonists, and the cause of Freedom was reborn. If this battle had not occurred, you would be living under British law, instead of enjoying the freedom that you enjoy today. Despite all odds, these Freedom Fighters gave everything they had so that you could do the things you do today.
You know the General's name. He later went on to become a very important part of our Nation's founding, and finally served as our first President. His name was George Washington. His men, although too many to list, are as equally deserving of our respect and admiration on this Christmas day. Without them, we would not be living in the country we know and love today.
So, while you sit around the tree with your family, opening gifts and eating the Christmas spread, take a moment to remember them and to honor their bravery.
May we remember who we are!
BTTT!
Thank God for rough men who stood for something!
May God bless America in spite of our rejection on Him!
Who was the general with the small army of 600 men?
I’ve been to Valley Forge and have seen the reproductions of the huts they lived in. More like half-underground holes with logs on the upper side. Incredible. Incredible that they did it.
My ancestors fought in that war. North Carolina troops of the line.
Ilove this story, and it never gets old. Thanks for posting.
And the irony is that those defeated Hessians were the ones that brought Christmas trees to America. So: win that Revolutionary War battle, lose the Christmas secularization war?
That must have been a grizzly scene.
It’s sobering to think that the Continental Army was basically just an armed band of outlaws in rags at that point.
You also almost feel sorry for those Germans. They couldn’t care less about this war, they were just ordered by some German prince to aide the Elector of Hanover/King of England. Many of them actually stayed in America because they liked the place!
2010 Reenactment (done every year)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIP2jirEkak
What to go tomorrow morning?
http://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/
sorry, “Want”
Heh. Keeper.
Frederick the Great had his own comment on the Hessians the Brits hired to help them in the States. He charged them a passage fee across his property...at the cattle rate...
My bad. Thank you spelling police! =D
Oh how I wish I could! Be a bit of a drive from Western CO, though. I will, however, be there in spirit!
George Washington as Commander of the Continental Army- Undeniable evidence that Divine Intervention is real.
Agreed! On the Divine note...just watched a documentary on the history of the King James Bible. Pretty nifty! And more undeniable evidence...
John Sullivan commanded the column that cut off the Hessians' retreat.
LOL my bro told me if I ever saw CO I would never be seen again.
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