Posted on 12/25/2005 3:56:59 AM PST by mainepatsfan
This Day In History | General Interest
December 25
1776 Washington crosses the Delaware
During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington's army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.
At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington's army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the appointed time.
At approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of December 26, Washington's remaining force, separated into two columns, reached the outskirts of Trenton and descended on the unsuspecting Hessians. Trenton's 1,400 Hessian defenders were groggy from the previous evening's festivities and underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British victories throughout New York. Washington's men quickly overwhelmed the Germans' defenses, and by 9:30 a.m. the town was surrounded. Although several hundred Hessians escaped, nearly 1,000 were captured at the cost of only four American lives. However, because most of Washington's army had failed to cross the Delaware, he was without adequate artillery or men and was forced to withdraw from the town.
The victory was not particularly significant from a strategic point of view, but news of Washington's initiative raised the spirits of the American colonists, who previously feared that the Continental Army was incapable of victory.
WTG GW!
It is worth mentioning that the Hessians did not celebrate Christmas by decorating trees and opening presents; they celebrated by getting mind-splittingly drunk. General Washington kept his troops in line and took full advantage of the enemy's dissolution.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Many other men would have sent a message to Howe attempting to cut a deal to save his own neck.
His troops didn't get to Trenton until 8:00 but the Hessians were still sleeping it off. Any other day and he couldn't have pulled it off.
One of the defining moments in American military history - a bold, unconventional attack which achieved success.
pingy
Washington would have been ripped for prolonging the blood shed.
It was an all or nothing gamble but he had no choice.
I will make my yearly post of the story of Washington Crossing the Delaware a little later. Thanks for your post.
I do have to disagree with the History Channel on one thing and that is their assertion that the Battle of Trenton didn't have much strategic significance. The crossing and battle, set off a chain of events (the 10 Crucial Days) that changed the course of the Revolution forever. Never again did the forces of the Crown have as good an oppurtunity to achieve victory as they did before December 25, 1776.
The Crossing, the 1st Battle of Trenton (December 26) and the subsequent 2nd Battle of Trenton (January 2, 1777) along with the Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777) ended any British hopes of holding New Jersey and defeating the Rebellion.
P.S. - the Hessian soldiers were not hung over, that is legend not fact. Some of their officers (e.g. Colonel Rall) did attend drinking parties the evening before but the enlistedmen were allowed no such pleasures.
Read 1776 by David McCullough.
His troops didn't get to Trenton until 8:00 but the Hessians were still sleeping it off. Any other day and he couldn't have pulled it off.
You sound disappointed?
I agree with your disagreement.
I have. One of the best books I've read in years.
Heck no.
Sounds like those Hessians partied like it was 1799 !!!
Yet another site I have to visit.
NY Times Headlines (December 25th):
WASHINGTON'S DELAWARE CROSSING A FAILURE!
(LIBERALS QUESTION ATTACKING HESSIANS DURING HOLIDAY)
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