Posted on 12/25/2013 10:57:57 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
The father of our nation knew how to throw a Christmas party.
I’m talking thousands of pounds of bacon, gallons of homemade rye whiskey, a massive “great cake” and what he called an “attack of Christmas pies.” Everyone got four days off to celebrate at his Mount Vernon plantation and while there was no regular scheduled appearance by Santa, there was at least one recorded visit by a camel.
But the abundant Christmas feasts of Washington’s later years were preceded by some years that were lean on Christmas cheer.
When young George was 8 years old in 1740, his home caught fire on Christmas Eve. As a soldier in the British army, Washington spent Christmas Eve of 1753 in a remote outpost known as Murdering Town getting in a skirmish with local Indians, followed by a gift-giving trip to a local “Indian Queen.”
The War for Independence brought highs and lows even on holy days. The low point was inevitably Christmas at Valley Forge, where many soldiers were near starvation and along with the meager mutton and cabbage, there was no whiskey or wine. The high point was the Christmas night where Washington caught snoring Hessians unaware as he crossed the Delaware River and attacked Trenton to turn the tide of the war.
But George Washington’s best Christmas was in 1783. Precisely 230 years ago today, he rode up to Mount Vernon to celebrate his first holiday at home after eight years of revolution. He had resigned his commission just days before and was determined to surprise his family with his presence. They, in turn, surprised him with a feast that would almost make King George III feel at home.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
George Washington ping.
“If he does that,” the incredulous monarch said, “he will be the greatest man in the world.”
Related thread to check out...
Crowds gather for reenactment of George Washington’s daring 1776 Delaware River crossing:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3105318/posts
And I had a Jewish friend who told me that Hannukah was considered a "minor" holiday until Christmas hit the big time.
I’ve heard the same. Some of the earliest colonials came from sects that forbade celebrating Christmas.
Nice article, but it repeats the too often stated and incorrect “fact” that the Hessians were drunk and asleep. David Hackett Fischer, in the excellent definitive book “Washington’s Crossing” lays that as false. In actual fact, the Hessian’s outposts had been attacked by an independent group within the prior week which put them on higher alert. Washington also got a late start on the attack when extra time had to be taken to get the men safely across than he had anticipated. By the time they had reached the Hessians it was already well past dawn which also didn’t help with the element of surprise.
A historian in a video documentary series I linked to within the thread I linked to above says that a Hessian spy tried to inform the Hessian commander that Washington’s forces were coming their way, but he (the commander) instead, drunk or whatever, ignored the guy. He claims there was a note found in his pocket which he never bothered to open. The series episode is titled “The Times That Try Men’s Souls”. It’s Part-3 of the LIBERTY series.
The concept of Santa and the use of Christmas trees truly caught on during the 19th century in Europe and the US. Trees used to be a soley German tradition, if I’m not mistaken. The European nobility adopted the tradition within the first two decades of the 19th century. Plus, the majority of carols we sing today were written in the mid-1800s.
Well enough written—one does tend to see what one desires in others. IT is enough to know that George Washington ever encouraged Christianity -and another’s religious faith for he understood that Religion ,Morality, and Knowledge were indeed necessary to to good government and encouraged Christianity and by it Morality —for we get more of what we encourage. America NEEDS more encouragement of Christianity and of the Christian Morality—having been led from the Foundations by those who HATE both.There is an American Spring coming -will you stand with the Patriots?
Murdering Town is now Chicago.
During that time “Santa Claus” and his nine flying reindeer when you include Rudolph didn’t exist. Very likely they were celebrating “12th Night” or Eiphany known to many as the feast of “Three Kings” bringing gifts to the Christ child. Which may explain the presence of a camel mentioned in the report. Be intersting to know if that was the case
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list.
See related post here.
"Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force arrives in New York harbor. Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping garrison in Trenton."--The Times That Try Men's Souls (1776-1777), Episode 3 of "Liberty! The American Revolution"
Link to video at dailymotion.com ...
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The series description and full list of episodes is as follows. Hyper-links are to the videos.
LIBERTY! is a six-part series of one-hour documentaries for PBS. It describes how the American Revolution evolved and how a new nation was born in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, using actors, Revolutionary era scholars, and eyewitness accounts of the time. LIBERTY! is hosted by award winning journalist and ABC news anchor, Forrest Sawyer. Edward Herrmann is the narrator. It was originally broadcast Nov. 23 - 25, 1997.
EPISODE 1: “The Reluctant Revolutionaries” 1763-1774
In 1763, the capitol city of America is London, George Washington is lobbying for a post in the British army, and no one thinks of Boston harbor when they hear talk of tea parties. In a dozen years, the colonies are on the brink of rebellion. What happens to bring this country so quickly near war with England?
EPISODE 2: “Blows Must Decide” 1774-1776
A total break from Great Britain remains hard for Americans to imagine, even after shots are fired at Lexington and Concord. Words push matters “Over the Edge” in 1776. Common Sense argues that it is the natural right of men to govern themselves. The Declaration of Independence declares this same idea a “self-evident” truth. For Americans, there is no looking back. There will be war with England.
EPISODE 3: “The Times That Try Men’s Souls” 1776-1777
Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force arrives in New York harbor. Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping garrison in Trenton.
EPISODE 4: “Oh Fatal Ambition” 1777-1778
The “united” states remain in dire need of funds and military support. Congress dispatches Benjamin Franklin to France in hopes of creating an alliance which will provide both. Meanwhile, a British army marches down the Hudson River trying to cut off New England from the other colonies. The British are crushed by Americans at Saratoga. The French enter the conflict on the American side.
EPISODE 5: “The World Turned Upside Down” 1778-1783
The British hope to exploit the issue of slavery and to enlist the support of loyalists in the south. They fail. After a series of brutal engagements, the British army heads for Virginia, only to be trapped by the miraculous convergence of Washington’s army and the French fleet at Yorktown. The end of the war is at hand.
EPISODE 6: “Are We to Be a Nation? 1783-1788
Peace comes to the United States, but governing the world’s newest republic is no simple task. Congress is ineffectual and individual states act like sovereign nations. By the time the Constitutional Convention convenes in 1787, many wonder if the country can survive. The long ratification process helps define what sort of nation the United States is to be—a process that continues to this day.
Also see:
Washington's Crossing
Bump for later
BFL how did I miss this?
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