It was a demoralized, ill-equipped army which stood on the shore of the Delaware River in December of 1776...
The year had not gone well for the army. Washington's men had suffered horrendous defeats in New York at the hands of British and Hessian soldiers. The losses of Forts Washington and Lee had levied a heavy toll to the Patriot cause as many troops were killed or taken prisoner, much needed supplies/munitions were abandoned in the evacuation of the forts, and the belief in the possible achievement of independence was dwindling at every turn. As much of the army was forced to retreat across New Jersey, the collective mood of Washington, Congress, and the army darkened. Enlistments were down, desertion was high, and monies from Congress were unavailable. Men on both sides of the conflict and of all stations and ranks began to question if the Revolution could be ending in the same year in which independence was declared.
Even their stoic commander despaired over "a noble cause lost," and wrote to his brother, "I think the game is pretty near up.
But Washington Did Not Surrender, He Became Bolder And Fought Back!
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8 posted on 10/04/2012 7:48:06 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW
(My faith and politics cannot be separated)
