Posted on 12/25/2013 5:40:33 PM PST by fella
Edited on 12/25/2013 5:42:28 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
"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"
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymotion.com ...
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
These folks do this EVERY YEAR.
(They may have missed one or two because of ICE and the fickle Delaware River. Interesting that Washington had to contend with a river that the re-in actors thought too treacherous to attempt.)
Being from that part of the state, I’ve seen the dorys they use. Big, HEAVY, high sided wooden boats.
Take your kids to this. Its a history lesson all by itself.
Monumental to furthering the freedom of mankind, too.
ping
Until our Revolution tyrannies ruled the world.
signifying the tail end of the 400 year long mini ICE AGE 1350 to 1750.
and expect another one to start with absence of sunspots around 2016.
enjoy.
I think you have it a little messed around. The Long Island battle was in Aug 27 1776. Trenton (river crossing) was Dec 26, 1776. In short order was the battle at Princeton.
Basically the rebels went into winter quarters for the awful Morristown encampment. Brits retreated to New Brunswick and maintained control of NYC and area.
When I wrote "In addition to the Delaware River crossing and Hessian camp attack, it covers the British invasion of New York and subsequent Battle of Brooklyn (aka, Battle of Long Island)", I didn't mean it to be in chronological order. Perhaps I should have worded it differently. I'm fully aware of the major RW events that took place here in NYC. :)
Check out those videos if you get a chance, especially the first one which I linked to in post 2.
Well, this part was clearly in correct chronological order: “British invasion of New York and subsequent Battle of Brooklyn (aka, Battle of Long Island)”
I listed the Delaware River Crossing first because that is the subject of the thread. I added the other things just to say what else is in the video.
BFL
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Sorry but who in their right mind would want to do this on Jesus’ Birthday. Seriously. I can’t imagine doing this on Christmas. Perhaps if they change to a more appropriate day, more people would attend.
I think attending this would be a wonderful thing to do on Christmas Day...after opening presents of course.
Sorry, you are right. I didn’t disconnect the two points. Tricky, but if read carefully it is fine!
I have seen “Liberty!” I’ve seen all the RevWar series since the first 1 back in ‘94, “American Revolution”. I make sure to patronize all such TV to give the Rev the recognition it deserves! ;-D
There is a wonderful historic novel “The Unvanquished” by Howard Fast that follows Washington through the New York city campaign then the winter retreat through New Jersey and up to the crossing. Newt Gingrich has one called “To Try Mens’ Souls” about Thomas Paine and the battle of Trenton that is also fairly good.
Thanks for the great links!
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