On Christmas night 1776, General George Washington led the rag-tag Continental Army across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton, New Jersey. Two Continental Army soldiers froze to death on the long trek to Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware. Three of Washington's detached units never made it across the Delaware. When word reached him that the muskets were unlikely to fire due to the inclement weather, he told his officers to "use the bayonet." He was absolutely "resolved to take Trenton." Nothing would stand in his way!
The morning of December 26, 1776, as the Hessians were rising for a new day, they were startled by an attack by Washington's forces on the town. Two Americans were wounded in the attack, including future President James Monroe. The Hessians suffered numerous casualties and most of the Hessian garrison was forced to surrender. Johann Raul, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded before surrendering.
It was a brilliant victory for George Washington - and a tremendous morale boost for the Americans. Within a few days, Washington followed up his victory with another at Princeton, and then quartered his troops at Morristown. The British were forced to redeploy in a way that gave up most of New Jersey and limited their reach in New York. It was a masterful campaign that stabilized the American Revolution and made victory possible.
And it was all due to George Washington. So, this Christmas, remember Washington and the greatest Christmas present he ever gave the United States. The gift of hope. The gift of victory. The gift of America.
IF Washington was Rocky, then here is George fighing the enemy!
http://movieclips.com/kDXF-rocky-3-movie-rocky-beats-clubber/
Here he is kickin’ arse on Christmas day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzu8fWPT7lM
Long LIVE GEORGE WASHINGTON!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydFJS-O2FwQ&feature=&p=2A6BF21C86924DD3&index=0&playnext=1
Not available on DVD, but the mini series Washington with Barry Bostwick was excellent. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWITaHGjhKs
bttt
Trenton and Washington’s Crossing is about 45 minutes west of where I live. Go there often.
bump
I wonder what today’s NY Times would say about Washington’s 1776 sneak attack if they were reporting on it live.
/SALUTE
Two recommended books on George Washington:
Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer.
Washington - A life by Ron Chernow.
The first covers pivotal parts of the war years. The second is a complete biography.
wow, what a man!
"An Englishman is the unfittest person on earth to argue another Englishman into slavery." Edmund Burke 22 March, 1775.
Just finished PICTORAL LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. I recommend it. Turn off the TV and read.
Ping. I think you posted this earlier but your not on this thread.
Thank you so much for posting this. We need to be reminded often of the sacrifices that were made for us. Humbly thanking God for men like these.
And I am so glad that the post stayed up, as I was not able to get in too much FR time over the Christmas holidays.
God bless.