After July 1776, the party ended quickly for George Washington

The Washington Post ^ | August 4, 2026 7:00 a.m. EDT | Michael O’Hanlon

[E. Pluribus Unum]

After the high of the Declaration of Independence, wartime reality set in for the founders.

Michael O’Hanlon is a defense and strategy analyst at the Brookings Institution and the author of “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution.”

Despite the heady moment in Philadelphia with the Declaration of Independence’s approval in early July, 1776, that summer was a tough one for the nation’s founders, George Washington in particular. The rest of that year — until Washington crossed the Delaware River and won the Battle of Trenton on Dec. 26 — would go down as the worst period of the Revolutionary War.

Throughout those unhappy months, the outcome of the war was very much in doubt. Trouble was brewing even before the founders adopted the Declaration in Philadelphia. On July 2, British forces under Gen. William Howe occupied Staten Island and sought to establish control of New York Harbor. Over the ensuing weeks, they relocated to Long Island and prepared a major assault on Washington’s forces.

Though reinforcements were generally not forthcoming, rebel and Colonial forces managed to stay one step ahead of the pursuing redcoats. As the belligerents moved closer, the Continental Congress took precautions and evacuated indefensible Philadelphia. Fortunately, Washington’s troops arrived at the Delaware River as winter set in — allowing them to commandeer local shipping and cross the river themselves, creating a defensive barrier against the British that promised to hold at least until the river froze.

That crossing of the Delaware westward bought the Continental Army time to rest and recover — and for Washington to regain his footing. As John...

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: 1776; 1976; godsgravesglyphs; theframers; thegeneral; therevolution; ustruth; washington

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Summary of Article

In 1776, after the Declaration of Independence, George Washington and the Continental Army endured their worst period of the Revolutionary War until the late-December victories at Trenton and Princeton.

Princeton.British forces under Gen. William Howe seized Staten Island in early July, then moved to Long Island. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Washington’s army lost the Battle of Long Island on August 27 and retreated across the East River to Manhattan. Further setbacks followed: a temporary stand at Harlem Heights (September 16), defeat at White Plains (October 28), and the catastrophic loss of Fort Washington on November 16, which cost thousands of captured troops. The remnants of the army fled through New Jersey into Pennsylvania as Congress evacuated Philadelphia.

Reaching the Delaware River as winter arrived, the Continentals crossed westward, using the river as a temporary barrier. This bought time for recovery. On Christmas night Washington recrossed the Delaware, surprising Hessian and British forces at Trenton, then struck again at Princeton a week later. These successes launched the surprise-and-deception approach he largely followed thereafter—avoiding open-field battles except under favorable conditions (as later at Saratoga and Yorktown).

The author notes that Washington was unique among major American commanders in personally correcting a flawed strategy mid-war, rather than being replaced. The central lesson drawn is the value of perseverance through a near-disastrous year whose early celebrations of independence had looked premature.

[frogjerk]

The central lesson drawn is the value of perseverance through a near-disastrous year whose early celebrations of independence had looked premature.

Missing is the biggest part of GWs story...Divine Providence.

George Washington - the Greatest American bar none.

[hanamizu]

George Washington - the Greatest American bar none.

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Even George III thought so, when Washington resigned his commission and returned to Mt Vernon after the war was won.

[rlmorel]

Oh, sure. Withdrawing the Continental Army from Long Island under the cover of dark and fog as a host of British Naval vessels who could have annihilated them were frustrated in their attempts to enter Long Island Sound...

That sure seems like Divine Providence to me, but also a brilliantly executed withdrawal.

[Mean Daddy]

The irony is if the British would have commissioned him as a British soldier like he wanted, he may have well ended up leading British troops against Americans.

[DIRTYSECRET]

In the Young Washington flick he was filled with piss and vinegar. Would he have been fragged in a different time?

[hanamizu]

Once again, Divine Providence enters the chat. Our nation was truly blessed.

[tlozo]

Great book, very enjoyable read, covers Washington in 1776.

[SunkenCiv]