I think cynicom was just playing a nasty game and baiting us with known falsehoods. If not that, he must be a bit retarded. Read his/her posts and you'll see what I mean.
"Two future Presidents of the United States crossed the river that fateful night, James Madison and James Monroe. Also along with the army were a future Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Marshall, and famous rivals Aarron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Besides Washington, only two of the figures in the boat have been identified. Look closely at the fellow holding the flag, and you'll see James Monroe.
" He was quartered in the house where Washington made the decision to cross, and served as a scout and trusted adviser to the General, but there's nothing in the historical records to indicate he crossed in the same boat. Note the so-called "Betsy Ross" flag, with the stars in a circle. This design first came into existence some six months after the crossing."
Perhaps you have something that indicates an error in history books???
Another...
"Two presidents-to-be crossed with Washington, James Madison and James Monroe, are believed to be holding the flag in the painting. History, though, says nothing about Monroe actually being aboard Washington's boat. And the flag that he gripped, with stars in a circle, did not fly until some eight months after the crossing. John Marshall made the crossing. He would become a chief justice of Supreme Court. Rivals Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton also made the trip."