The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Trenton - 1776 - Dec. 26th, 2002

http://www.patriotresource.com/battles/trenton.html ^ | Scott Cummings

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

Resource Links For Veterans

Click on the pix

The First American Christmas

Appraising the Situation: December 13-December 25, 1776

As Maj. General William Howe entered winter quarters on December 13, 1776, Lt. General Charles Cornwallis now received permission to halt his advance at the Delaware River. Howe, supported by Maj. General Henry Clinton, wanted to pull his line of defense to between Brunswick and Newark. However, Cornwallis convinced Howe to extend the lines for several reasons. Tthe Americans were considered a minimal threat to the distant garrisons and lines of communication. Pulling back would make the British appear weak and unable to maintain positions. Such a move would also deprive New Jersey Loyalists of military protection during the winter.

As the British Army settled in for the winter, garrisons of Hessians were established at Burlington and another at Trenton under Colonel Johann Rall. Garrisons of British troops were established at Bordentown, Pennington, Perth Amboy and Princeton, while Cornwallis set up his base of operations at Brunswick, twenty-five miles behind the forward garrisons. Meanwhile, General George Washington's army was receiving a boost with new arrivals. Pennsylvania and Maryland militia under Colonel John Cadwalader and Colonel Nicholas Haussegger had begun to arrive on December 5 and continued to stream in.

On December 20, 1776, Maj. General John Sullivan arrived in command of the remaining 2,000 men from the 5,000 that had been under Maj. General Charles Lee's command untl his capture. On the same day, Maj. General Horatio Gates arrived 800 men set down from Fort Ticonderoga by Northern Department Commander Maj. General Philip Schuyler. Even though the New Jersey militia had not come to General Washington's call, they were carrying out their own campaign. They had remained near their homes to protect them from the British and especially the Hessian troops, who had quickly developed a reputation among the rebels for brutality and theft. The militia were soon taking advantage of the stretched British lines across New Jersey by carrying out regular raids on British patrols, stealing supplies and interfering with communications.



On December 22, 1776, General Washington had about 6,000 men listed in his roles having lost men on November 30 when their enlistments ran out. Of those, about 4,700 were fit for duty. His fall campaign had been little more than a series of retreats and morale was very low with the successive defeats and the loss of New York City. On December 31, more enlistments would run out and reduce his force to under 1,500 men. Winter was coming fast and the British would be able to continue their pursuit once the Delaware River froze over.

General Washington decided to attack the unsuspecting British forces who had entered winter quarters and were celebrating the holidays. He hoped to salvage a victory at the end of a disappointing campaign. He first wanted to attack the Hessians at Bordentown, but the local militia in that area was too weak to offer support. He then chose the isolated Hessian garrison under the command of Colonel Johann Rall. Rall had not heeded orders to build fortifications and send out patrols. Even though he was a skilled soldier and able commander, Rall had a low estimation of the rebels, calling them "country clowns." Washington planned for for an early morning attack on December 26. He knew the Hessians would heartily celebrate Christmas on the evening of December 25, so he meant to attack when they were tired and probably hungover.

The Battle: December 26, 1776

General George Washington ordered the crossing of the Delaware River to begin right after dark on Christmas Day, December 25, 1776. He wanted to be in position to launch his attack in the early morning hours. He expected the Hessian troops to have heartily celebrated Christmas and be drunk and tired when he attacked. A storm blew up and the men were forced to cross in the ice and snow, which slowed the crossing.

General Washington personally led 2,400 men, horses and eighteen cannon across the river the river at McKonkey's Ferry, which was nine miles above Trenton. He would then attack the town from the north. Brig. General James Ewing was to lead 1,000 militia at the Trenton Ferry and block a retreat to the south. Colonel John Cadwalader would lead 2,000 men, mostly militia, across the river at Bordentown and attack the garrison there as a diversion. However, with the storm, Ewing was unable to make it across, while Cadwalader was unable to bring his artillery and too late to be of any assistance.



General Washington's troops set out at 2 P.M. and began crossing atfter dark. The crossing was to be completed by 12:00 A.M., but the storm began at 11 P.M. and delayed completion of the crossing until 3:00 A.M. and the column was not fully ready to march until 4:00 A.M. The hoped for surprise attack in the early morning darkness was now impossible. However, Colonel Rall still felt unthreatened. Even with intelligence from Loyalists and American deserters having given away the day and hour of the attack, Rall did not know how large the attacking force would be.

At Birmingham, about four miles from their crossing, General Washington's force split into two columns. Maj. General Nathanael Greene led one column onto the Pennington Road to attack the garrison from the north. General Washington accompanied this column. Maj. General John Sullivan led the second column continued on the river road so it could attack the garrison from the west. By 6:00 A.M. the troops were miserable. Two men reportedly froze to death and muskets won't fire because of the cold, but Washington was committed and would not give up.

At the Hessian garrison in Trenton, Colonel Rall had passed out and was sound asleep along with most of his 1,200 man force, which was divided into three regiments: Knyphausen, Lossberg and Rall. They had sent out no patrols because of the severe weather. The weather had taken a toll on General Washington's troops, but had also given them cover. At 8:00 A.M. General Washington came upon a house about half a mile from Trenton where Hessian sentries were posted. The first shots were fired in the engagement. Only a few minutes later, General Sullivan's column routed the Hessian sentries at the outpost a half a mile west of Trenton



Colonel Rall himself was slow to wake and dress because of the effects of the late night. The Hessians turned out quickly and formed up, but their attempts to attack to the north were hampered by the flanking fire from the western column and the artillery. The Americans positioned two cannon on a rise that guarded the two main routes out of town. The Hessians tried to bring four guns into action, but American fire kept them silent. Captain William Washington, cousin to General Washington, and Lieutenant James Monroe, future President of the United States, were wounded while capturing the Hessian guns.

The Knyphausen regiment of Hessians was separated from the other two regiments and driven back through the southern end of Trenton by Maj. General John Sullivan's column. Many men of this regiment were subsequently able to escape to the south where Brig. General James Ewing's troops were to have been located. The other two Hessian regiments, Lossberg and Rall, retreated into an open field and attempted a counterattack that was quickly driven back. Colonel Johann Rall ordered his force to retreat southeast into an apple orchard just outside Trenton. Only moments after giving the order, Rall was mortally wounded.

Once in the orchard, the Hessians formed up and attempted to make their way north to the road to Princeton. When they reentered the town, the Continentals now joined by civilians fired on them from buildings and other cover. Their formations were broken up by cannonfire. The two regiments retreat back to the orchard where they were forced to surrender.The remnants of the Knyphausen Regiment were making for Bordentown, but they were slowed when they tried to haul their cannon through boggy ground. They soon found themselves surrounded by General Sullivan's men and they also surrendered. It was only 9:30 A.M. and had been an overwhelming victory for General George Washington.

[SAMWolf]

Aftermath

No Americans had been killed during the battle, although as mentioned previously, two may have died from exposure. There had been only a handful of men wounded during the action. Meanwhile, 106 Hessians had been killed or wounded, at least 600 had been captured (depending on the source) and the rest had managed to escape. Following the battle, General George Washington had the captured men and supplies shipped across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania, then followed with his army at 12:00 P.M. By 12:00 P.M. on December 27, 1776, Washington's troops were back in their camp in Pennsylvania. 1,000 men in Washington's army reported as ill by the end of that day.


1. General Greene leads the main American force along Pennington Road.
2. General Sullivan leads the rest along River Road.
3. The American army lines up with the apex of the road as its center.
4. The first attack on the Hessians goes up King (Warren) Street.
5. The second wave goes up Queen (Broad) Street.
6. The Hessians surrender in an orchard.
7. About a third of the Hessians, however, escape over this bridge.

General Washington had succeeded in his goal. The victory lifted the morale of his army and was the first major victory against British Army regulars, even if they were Hessian troops. Continuing rumors had all the British and Hessian garrisons across New Jersey on alert for several days for an army that was nowhere near. When the Continental Congress heard of the victory, they had renewed confidence in their Commander-in-Chief and it bolstered enlistments and reenlistments for 1777. With his reenlistments, Washington was able to fight and win the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey on January 3, 1777, before he entered winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey.

[SAMWolf]

"Gen McDougall

Head Quarters, Newtown 28th December 1776.

I have yours of the 27th and am sorry that Affairs bore so bad an Aspect in your Quarter at that time. But I hope that the late Success at Trenton on the 26th and the Consequence of it, will change the face of Matters not only there but every where else. I crossed over to Jersey the Evening of the 25th about 9 miles above Trenton with upwards of 2000 Men and attacked three Regiments of Hessians consisting of fifteen hundred Men about 8 o'Clock next Morning. Our Men pushed on with such Rapidity that they soon carried four pieces of Cannon out of Six, Surrounded the Enemy and obliged 30 Officers and 886 privates to lay down their Arms without firing a Shot. Our Loss was only two Officers and two or three privates wounded. The Enemy had between 20 and 30 killed. We should have made the whole of them prisoners, could Genl. Ewing have passed the Delaware at Trenton and got in their Rear, but the ice prevented him. I am informed that Count Donnop with the remainder of the Army below Trenton, decamped immediately upon this News, and is on his march towards South Amboy. Generals Mifflin, Ewing and Cadwallader have already passed over to Jersey with a Capital Force and I shall follow with the Continental Regiments as soon as they have recovered from the late Fatigue which was indeed very great.

I hope you, Sir, GenI. Maxwell to whom I have wrote, Colo. Vose, Colo. Ford and every Gentleman who is well affected will exert themselves in encouraging the Militia and assuring them that nothing is wanting, but for them to lend a hand, and driving the Enemy from the whole province of Jersey

Pray watch the motions of the Enemy, and if they incline to retreat or advance, harass their Rear and Flanks But at all Events endeavour to collect a Body of men to be ready to join me, or act otherwise as occasion may be.

Your son was mentioned among the first of our prisoners that I demanded in Exchange, but Genl. Howe (or Mr. Loring in his Absence) Sent out others than those I demanded. I have remonstrated to him upon this head and have assured him that I will send in no more prisoners till he sends out the paroles of the Officers taken in Canada.

I am dear Sir
Your most obt Servt

G. Washington"

Trenton, and the followup victory at Princeton on 3 January 1777, caused the British to abandon their forward posts in New Jersey. By going into winter quarters at Morristown after the Battle of Princeton, Washington threatened supply lines and thereby swept the enemy from the state. Dwindling support for the cause of liberty was reversed, and strengthening of the diminished army ranks occured. Coupled with Benedict Arnold's action at Valcour island, the Americans were able to continue into the campaigns of 1777.

Aside from the obligatory reports to John Hancock as President of the Continental Congress, Washington is only known to have written eight letters describing in any detail this battle that changed the course of World History. All but the one above are in public institutions.

[SAMWolf]

'These country clowns cannot whip us...If the Americans come, we'll give them the bayonet.'

--Johann Rall,
Commander of the Hessian forces at Trenton

[SAMWolf]

Click on the picture for more information on the Battle of Trenton provided by Sparta.

[top of the world ma]

The Crossing

Outstanding made-for-tv-film by A&E.

[Soaring Feather]

Aside from the obligatory reports to John Hancock as President of the Continental Congress, Washington is only known to have written eight letters describing in any detail this battle that changed the course of World History. All but the one above are in public institutions.

This is the reason I have much respect for the written word!

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on December 26:
1194 Frederick II Iesi Italy, German Emperor (1212-1250)/King of Sicily
1618 Elisabeth Paltsgravin of Rhine/abbess
1633 Charles E Biset Flemish painter, baptised
1660 Peter Schenck German/Netherlands engraver/publisher, baptised
1687 Johann Georg Pisendel German violinist/composer
1716 Thomas Gray English poet (Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard)
1731 Anthony Ziesenis architect/sculptor (Town Hall of Westzaan)
1738 Thomas Nelson merchant, signer of the Declaration of Independence
1747 Cornelis Stevens Belgium, Roman Catholic foreman/polemist (Le sophisme dévoilé)
1762 Franz Wilhelm Tausch composer
1770 Pierre earl de Cambronne French general (Waterloo, Elba)
1771 Heinrich J von Collin Austria dramatist/poet (Regulus)
1778 Juan Lovera Venezuela, artist
1792 Charles Babbage English inventor (calculating machine)
1793 Franz Hunten composer
1797 Hans Skramstad composer
1805 Joseph-Leon Gatayes composer
1808 Albert Grisar composer
1809 William Nelson Pendleton Brigadier-General (Confederate Army), died in 1883
1812 Wilhelm Volkmar composer
1815 Israel Bush Richardson Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1862
1820 Gustavus Adolphus Smith Brigadier-General (Union volunteers), died in 1885
1822 Dion Boucicault Irish/Us actor/playwright (Rip van Winkle)
1824 Augustus Louis Chetlain Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1914
1826 Franz Coenen composer
1826 Martinus Nijhoff founder Nijhoff's book/publisher (Van Dale)
1837 Admiral George Dewey American naval hero of Manila
1845 Salvatore Auteri Manzocchi composer
1849 Samuel E "Sam" van Beem actor (Fanfan la Tulipe)
1855 Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn composer
1859 Johan F van Bemmelen Dutch zoologist
1861 Friedrich Engel German mathematician (group theory)
1862 Alexander V Amfiteatrov Russian/French/Italian writer
1867 Julien Benda French philosopher/writer (Dialogues à Byzance)
1869 Harry Redman composer
1873 Hubert Cuypers Dutch composer/choir conductor (Minstrels)
1873 Karel Moor composer
1874 Norman Angell [Lane] English cowboy/journalist (Nobel 1933)
1878 Isaiah Bowman US, geography/co-founder (Geographical Review)
1879 Armen Tigran Tigranyan composer
1879 Julius Weismann composer
1883 Carl Oscar Ahues Germany, International Chess Master (1950)
1883 Frank Debenham Australian geographer/geologist
1886 Gyula Gömbös von Jákfa general/dictator of Hungary (1932-35)
1888 Hiroshi "Can" Kikuchi Japanese stagewriter (Tjitj Kaeru)
1891 Henry Miller author (Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, Sexus)
1891 Jean Galtier-Boissière French writer/cartoonist/journalist
1893 Evgeny Karlovich Tikotsky composer
1893 Mao Tse-tung of little red book fame, PM of China People's Republic (1949-76)
1893 Yury Nikolayevich Tyulin composer
1894 Antonio Molina composer
1897 Willie Corsari [Wilhelmina A Schmidt] Dutch writer
1901 Georgy Mikhaylovich Rimsky-Korsakov composer
1901 Victor Hely-Hutchinson composer
1902 Elisha Cook Jr San Francisco CA, actor (Maltese Falcon, Shane, Magnum PI)
1904 Alentejo Carpentier Cubans/French writer (Guerra del Tiempo)
1906 BVA Röling Dutch lawyer
1908 Ralph Hill US, 5K runner (Olympics-1932)
1908 Hanns Maassen writer
1910 Lucy Faithfull children's campaigner
1914 Richard Widmark Sunrise MN, actor (Madigan, Judgement at Nüremberg)
1915 Hans [Henri A] Gomperts Dutch literature (Duck on Attic)
1915 Una Mae Carlisle US pianist/vocalist (Walkin' at the River)
1916 Helmut Eder composer
1917 Rosemary Woods Nixon's secretary, keep her away from your tapes
1920 Gote Carlid composer
1921 Steve Allen New York NY, comedian/TV host (Tonight Show, Steve Allen Show)
1925 Baron Baker activist
1926 Earle Brown composer
1926 Edgar D Ngoyi South African ANC leader (17 years in Robbeneiland Jail)
1926 Zlatko Pibernik composer
1927 Alan King Brooklyn NY, comedian/actor (Anderson Tapes, Memories of Me)
1927 Denis Quilley London England, actor (Masada)
1930 Donald Moffat Plymouth England, actor (Kent-Logan's Run)
1930 Sayed Mutawli imam ad-Darsh scholar/broadcaster
1931 Thomas Eden Binkley musician
1931 Thomas K "Tom" van Brook actor/interpreter (Soldier of Orange)
1932 Walter Leblanc Belgian painter
1935 Abdul "Duke" Fakir Detroit MI, rock vocalist (Four Tops)
1935 Barbara J Jacket US athletic coach (Olympics-1972)
1935 Rohan Kanhai cricketer (one of West Indies' finest batsmen)
1936 Kitty Dukakis 1st lady of Massachusetts/wife of Michael (Governor-MA)
1939 [Harvey] Phil Spector record producer (Wall of Sound)
1939 Lynn Martin US Secretary of Labor (1991-93)
1940 Harmen Siezen Dutch TV-journal host
1941 Daniel Schmid actor/director (Paloma, Violanta, Hecate, Amateurs)
1942 Earl Cate Fayetteville AR, country singer/twin of Ernie (Cate Brothers-Fire on the Tracks)
1942 Ernie Cate Fayetteville AR, country singer/twin of Earl (Cate Brothers-Fire on the Tracks)
1942 Barry Wood cricketer (England opener in early 70's)
1942 Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo President of Guatemala (1986-91)
1942 Rob de Nijs Dutch singer (Put a candle in your window)
1944 Jane Lapotaire actress (Spirit of the Dead)
1945 John Walsh activist/TV host (America's Most Wanted)
1946 Gordon Edwards rocker
1946 Lisette Hordijk Dutch TV broadcaster
1947 Carlton Fisk Vermont, all star catcher (Red Sox, White Sox)
1947 Joyce Jillson Cranston RI, psychic/actress (Superchick)
1948 Chris Chambliss 1st baseman (New York Yankee)
1949 Ira Newborn New York NY, orchestra leader (Manhattan Transfer)
1950 Michael Jones rocker (BT Express-Here Comes the Express)
1950 Victoria Racimo New York NY, actress (Corene-Falcon Crest)
1951 Richard Skinner British DJ
1952 André-Michel Schub Paris France, pianist (Van Cliburn-1981)
1953 Matthew Harding businessman/soccer supporter
1953 Valeri Yuriyevich Sharov Russian cosmonaut
1954 Peter Woods rocker (Romeo Void-Girl in Trouble)
1954 Ullrich Diessner German Democratic Republic, 4 man cox/twin of Walter (Olympics-silver-1976)
1954 Walter Diessner German Democratic Republic, 4 man cox/twin of Ullrich (Olympics-silver-1976)
1954 Ozzie Smith Mobile AL, infielder (St Louis Cardinals)
1954 Susan H Butcher dog sled driver (Iditarod)
1956 Gail Tatterson WBL center (New York Stars)
1956 Karen Smith WBL forward (New York Stars)
1959 Lesley Tomlinson Derbyshire England, cyclist (Olympics-96)
1960 Terri Garber Miami FL, actress (Leslie Carrington-Dynasty)
1961 Storm Davis Dallas TX, pitcher (Kansas City Royals)
1961 Tahnee Welch [La Tahn Renee Welch] San Diego CA, actress (Cocoon)
1963 Lars Ulrich Gentofte Denmark, rock drummer (Metallica-Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters)
1964 Colleen Dion Newburgh NY, actress (Felicia-Bold & Beautiful, Brett Gardner-Another World)
1964 Jeff King Marion IN, infielder (Pittsburgh Pirates)
1965 Ben Husaby Eden Prairie MN, cross country skier (Olympics-1994)
1966 Tim Legler NBA guard (Washington Wizards/Bullets)
1967 Tony Covington NFL safety (Seattle Seahawks)
1968 Darren Barber Victoria British Columbia, rower (Olympics-96)
1970 Lisa Gathright Moline IL, WPVA volleyballer (US Open-17th-1993)
1970 Radka Zrubakova Bratislava Slovakia, tennis star (1994 Futures-Germany)
1970 Willie Williams NFL cornerback (Pittsburgh Steelers, Seahawks)
1971 Mark Lathwell cricketer (England opening batsman vs Australia 1993)
1972 Burnell Roques NFL wide receiver (Atlanta Falcons)
1972 Derrick Cullors running back (New England Patriots)
1972 Jared Leto Bossier City LA, actor (Jordan-My So Called Life)
1973 Ryan Berube US, 800 meter freestyle relay (Olympics-gold-96)
1974 Tiffany Brissette actress (Vicki-Small Wonder)
1974 Tony Brackens defensive end (Jacksonville Jaguars)
1975 Marcelo Rios Santiago Chile, tennis star (1995 Amsterdam)
1977 Brandee Layne Loving Miss Mississippi Teen USA (1996)
1980 Serena Phillips Corvallis OR, figure skater (1997 Pruetten Champion)
1985 Steven Hartman Westlake CA, actor (Rick Forrester-Bold & Beautiful)

---

Deaths which occurred on December 26:
0267 Dionysius bishop of Rome/saint, dies
1476 Galeazzo Maria Sforza duke of Milan, murdered
1530 Zahir al-Din Mohammed Babur Shah founder Mogols-dynasty, dies at 47
1574 Charles Guise archbishop/cardinal of Reims, dies at 50
1624 Simon Marius astronomer, dies in Bavaria at 54
1627 Gonzaga Italian monarch of Mantua/Monferrato, dies
1658 Simon Guillain French sculptor (Castle of Blois/Sorbonne), dies at 78
1676 Domenicus van Tol Dutch painter, dies
1679 John van de Cappelle Amsterdam landscape painter, dies at 53
1736 Antonio Caldara composer, dies
1740 Mauritius Louis II earl of Nassau Lieutenant-General (12 children), dies
1771 Claude A Helvétius French encyclopedist (L'esprit), dies at 56
1776 Johann Gottlieb Rall Hessian colonel/mercenary, dies in battle
1797 John Wilkes English journalist/Higher/Lower house leader, dies at 72
1827 Jan David Holland composer, dies at 81
1836 Hans Georg Nageli composer, dies at 63
1837 Martinus van Marum chemist/physicist (giant salamander), dies at 87
1861 Philip St George Cocke Confederate Brigadier-General, commits suicide at 52
1862 38 Santee Sioux Indians hanged in Mankato
1866 Samuel Ryan Curtis Union General-Major, dies at 49
1879 Jean Leonard Marie Poiseuille dies
1887 Jules François Blasini Curaçao pianist/composer, dies at 40
1890 Heinrich Schliemann German archaeologist (Trojan War), dies at 86
1916 Bernhard Scholz composer, dies at 81
1916 Frank Penn cricketer (one Test for England vs Australia 1880), dies
1917 Louise J Gautier French poetess/daughter of Théophile G, dies at 71
1918 Bertram Luard-Selby composer, dies at 65
1933 Lunatscharski writer, dies
1937 Ivor Gurney composer, dies at 47
1942 Bosinier de la Chapelle French murderer of Admiral Darlan, executed at 24
1950 Emile Enthoven composer, dies at 47
1950 James Stephens Irish poet (Crock of Gold), dies at 68
1952 Pietro Pancrazi Italian critic (Pegaso), dies at 59
1956 Holmes Herbert actor (The Kiss), dies at 74
1957 Artur Malawski composer, dies at 53
1958 Harry Redman composer, dies on 89th birthday
1960 Eduard Ludwig German architect (Hansa quarter, Berlin), dies at 54
1961 Charlie Frank cricketer (South Africa Test centurion vs Australia 1921-22), dies
1963 "Gorgeous George" Wagner wrestler, dies
1965 Anthonie Donker Dutch [Professor N Donkersloot], literary, dies at 63
1966 Klaziena "Ina" Boudier-Bakker Dutch author (Poverty), dies at 88
1966 Noel Gallon composer, dies at 75
1967 S F Barnes cricketer (27 Tests for England, 189 wickets), dies
1969 Louise L de Vilmorin French poet/author (History d'aimer), dies at 67
1971 Robert Lowery actor (Circus Boy, Pistols 'n' Petticoats), dies at 57
1972 Harry Truman 33rd US President dies in Kansas City MO at 88
1973 Harold B Lee US head of Mormon Church, dies at 74
1973 Steven Geray actor (French Line), dies at 69
1973 William Haines actor (Little Annie Rooney), dies of cancer at 73
1974 Jack Benny comedian (Jack Benny Show), dies at 80
1974 Knudage Riisager composer, dies at 77
1974 Robert Levine Sanders composer, dies at 68
1976 Philip A Heart (Senator-D-MI), dies at 64
1977 Howard Hawks director (Rio Lobo, Hatari!), dies at 81
1977 Ivan Rezak composer, dies at 53
1985 Dian Fossey zoologist (Gorillas in the Mist), murdered at 53
1986 Elsa Lanchester actress (Bride of Frankenstien), dies at 84
1988 John Loder actor (Sabotage, Java Head), dies at 90
1989 Samuel Beckett Irish playright dies in Paris
1989 Lennox Berkeley composer, dies at 86
1989 Peggy Thorpe-Bates actress (Alcatraz Island), dies
1990 Nancy Cruznan accident victim/right-to-die case, dies at 33
1991 Dehl Berti actor (John Taylor-Guns of Paradise), dies at 70
1991 Sam Cresson dies at 73
1992 Bert [Lambertus H] Voeten Dutch poet (Antipodes), dies at 74
1992 Constance Carpenter actress (2 Worlds), dies of stroke at 87
1992 John G Kemeny US computer pioneer (BASIC), dies
1992 Nikita Magaloff Russian/Swiss pianist, dies at 80
1993 Jeff Morrow actor (Robe, Harbor Lights, Blood Legacy), dies at 80
1994 Asta ER Elstak Suriname/Netherlands welfare worker, dies at 74
1994 Johannes J "Joop" Klant Netherlands/South African economist/author, dies
1994 Karl Schiller minister of RFA Economics (1966-72), dies
1994 Robert Emhardt actor (Mac Cory-Another World), dies at 80
1994 Sylvia Brandts Buys actress (Hague's Post), dies at 85
1994 Sylvia Koscina Croatian/Italian actress (Hercules), dies at 61
1997 John Hinde photographer/circus promoter, dies at 81
1997 John Whitley air-Marshal, dies at 92

---

On this day...
0268 St Dionysius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
0418 St Zosimus ends his reign as Catholic Pope
0795 St Leo III begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1198 French bishop Odo van Sully condemns Zottenfeest
1481 Battle at Westbroek: Dutch army beats Utrecht
1492 1st Spanish settlement in New World founded, by Columbus
1568 Uprising of Morisco's against suppression in Granada
1620 Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth MA
1659 Long Parliament reforms in Westminster
1748 France & Austria signs treaty about Southern Netherlands
1773 Expulsion of tea ships from Philadelphia
1776 Battle of Trenton-major British defeat
1776 George Washington defeats Hessians at Trenton
1799 George Washington is eulogized by Colonel Henry Lee as "1st in war, 1st in peace & 1st in the hearts of his countrymen"
1805 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts established, Philadelphia
1805 France & Austria sign Peace of Pressburg
1809 English invasionary troop leaves Vlissingen
1813 Zamose, Modlin, Torgau surrender to allied armies
1825 Erie Canal opens
1830 Gaetano Donizetti's opera "Anna Bolena" premieres in Milan
1831 Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" premieres in Milan
1848 1st gold seekers arrive in Panama en route to San Francisco
1848 William & Ellen Craft escape from slavery in Georgia
1854 Wood-pulp paper 1st exhibited, Buffalo
1860 Maiden voyage of 1st steamship owned by 1 man (C Vanderbilt)
1860 Major Robert Anderson, under cover of darkness, concentrated his small force at Fort Sumter
1862 1st US navy hospital ship enters service
1862 38 Santee Sioux Indians hanged in Mankato MN, due to their uprising
1862 Battle of Dumfries VA
1865 James H Mason (Massachusetts) patents 1st US coffee percolator
1872 4th largest snowfall in NYC history (18")
1877 Socialist Labor Party of North America holds 1st national convention
1878 1st US store to install electric lights, Philadelphia
1879 John Brahms' "Tragic Ouverture" premieres
1890 King Mwanga of Uganda signs contract with East Africa Company
1892 The opera "Cristoforo Colombo" is produced (La Scala)
1899 Mafeking: Bathe-Powells failed assault up fort Game Tree: 24 killed
1902 Most knock downs in a fight, Oscar Nelson (5) & Christy Williams (42)
1908 Jackson Johnson TKOs Tommy Burns in 14 at Sydney, Australia for heavyweight boxing title
1916 Joseph Joffre becomes marshal of France
1917 Federal government took over operation of American RR for duration of WWI
1917 1st NHL defensemen to score a goal: Toronto Maple Leaf Harry Cameron
1918 1st day of 1st-class cricket in Australia after WWI (Victoria vs New South Wales)
1919 Yankees & Red Sox reach agreement on transfer of Babe Ruth
1924 Judy Garland, age 2½, billed as Baby Frances, show business debut
1925 1st East-West football game at Ewing Park before 25,000 fans
1925 NHL record 141 shots as New York Americans (73) beat Pittsburgh Pirates (68) 3-1
1925 Turkey adopts Gregorian calendar
1925 New York's Jake Forbes makes 67 saves, Pittsburgh's Ray Waters makes 70
1926 Prince-regent Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan
1928 Johnny Weissmuller announces his retirement from amateur swimming
1928 World record 10th wicket stand 307 (Kippax / Hooker) New South Wales vs Victoria
1931 George/Ira Gershwin's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical play "Of Thee I Sing" premieres on Broadway
1931 SS-Sturmbannführer Reinhard Heydrich marries Lina von Osten
1932 Earthquake kills 70,000 in Kansu China
1933 US forswears armed intervention in the Western Hemisphere
1933 Bradman scores 187 New South Wales vs Victoria, 294 minutes, 13 fours
1934 Yomiuri Giants, Japan's 1st professional baseball team forms
1935 Stalin views Dmitri Shostakovich's opera "Lady Macbeth"
1936 Israel Philharmonic Orchestra forms
1938 Bradman scores 225 South Australia vs Queensland before Christ gets him out
1938 Tom Goddard takes a cricket hat-trick for England vs South Africa
1939 Earthquake in East Anatolia Turkey
1939 Mine strikes in Borinage Brussels
1940 1st-class debut of Arthur Morris, who scores 148
1940 JA Fields/J Chodorov's "My Sister Eileen" premieres in New York NY
1941 Winston Churchill becomes 1st British PM to address a joint meeting of Congress, warning that the Axis would "stop at nothing"
1943 British sink German battle cruiser Scharnhorst
1943 Chicago Bears win NFL championship
1943 Earl Claus von Stauffenberg vain with bomb to Hitlers headquarter
1944 Battle of Bastogne-US General Patton's 4th Pantzers repulse the Germans
1944 Budapest surrounded by soviet army
1944 Tennessee Williams' play "Glass Menagerie" premieres in Chicago
1946 Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas opens (start of an era)
1946 "Beggar's Holiday" opens at Broadway Theater NYC for 111 performances
1946 "Toplitzky of Notre Dame" opens at Century Theater NYC for 60 performances
1946 35th Davis Cup: USA beats Australia in Melbourne (5-0)
1947 British transfer Heard & McDonald Islands (Indian Ocean) to Australia
1947 Heavy snow blankets Northeast, buries NYC under 25.8" of snow in 16 hours; That same day, Los Angeles set a record high of 84º F
1947 "Cradle Will Ruck" opens at Mansfield Theater NYC for 34 performances
1948 Hungarian cardinal Mindszenty arrested
1950 Gillette & Mutual buy All Star & World Series rights ($6 million for 6 years)
1954 Cleveland Browns beat Detroit Lions 56-10 in NFL championship game
1954 "The Shadow" airs for last time on radio
1955 Cleveland Browns beat Los Angeles Rams 38-14 in NFL championship game
1955 RKO is 1st to announce sale of its film library to TV
1957 Roger Sessions' 3rd Symphony premieres in London
1960 Philadelphia Eagles beat Green Bay Packers 17-13 in NFL championship game
1960 Musical "Do re mi" with Phil Silvers premieres at St James Theater NYC for 400 performances
1963 "Double Dublin" opens at Little Theater NYC for 4 performances
1963 Beatles release "I Want To Hold Your Hand"/"I Saw Her Standing There"
1963 US furnishes cereal to USSR
1964 Beatles' "I Feel Fine" single goes #1 & stays #1 for 3 weeks
1964 Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 20-7 in AFL championship game
1964 Moors Murderers claim last victim
1965 "Funny Girl" with Barbra Streisand closes on Broadway
1965 Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 23-0 in AFL championship game
1965 Paul McCartney is interviewed on pirate radio station Radio Caroline
1966 Maulana Karenga establishes Kwanzaa (1st fruits of harvest) holiday
1967 The BBC broadcasts "The Magical Mystery Tour"
1967 Dave Brubeck Quartet formally disbands
1968 Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors, 2 majors & 2 game misconducts in a game against the New York Rangers in New York's Madison Square Garden
1968 Arab terrorists in Athens fire on El Al plane, kills 1
1968 Jay Allens "Forty Carats" premieres in New York NY
1968 Led Zeppelin's concert debut in Boston as opener for Vanilla Fudge
1973 2 Skylab 3 astronauts walk in space for a record 7 hours
1973 Soyuz 13 returns to Earth
1973 "The Exorcist", starring Linda Blair & rated X, premieres
1974 Washington Capitals 1st NHL sellout
1975 1st supersonic transport service (USSR-Tupolev-144)
1975 A crowd of 85661 attends the 1st day of the Australia-West Indies MCG Test Cricket
1976 "Music Is" closes at St James Theater NYC after 8 performances
1977 USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk USSR
1978 India's former PM, Indira Gandhi, released from jail
1981 One of the great day's Test Cricket at the MCG Australia vs West Indies
1982 TIME's Man of the Year is a computer
1982 USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk USSR
1983 Test Cricket debut of Gregory Richard John Matthews, vs Pakistan MCG
1983 USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk USSR
1984 Belgian princess Astrid marries arch duke Otto L van Austrian-Este
1985 Test Cricket debut of Steve Waugh, vs India at the MCG
1986 TV soap "Search for Tomorrow" ends 35 year run
1986 Doug Jarvis, 31, sets NHL record of 916 consecutive games
1986 Hijackers take over an Iraqi Airways Boeing 737 with 91 people on board during a flight from Baghdad to Amman - it lands in Arar, Saudi Arabia where it explodes, killing 62 people.
1987 "Les Miserables" opens at National Theatre of Iceland, Reykjavik
1988 "Legs Diamond" starring Peter Allen prenieres at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC for 64 performances
1988 Anti African student rebellion in China People's Republic
1989 ODI debut for Mark Taylor & Sanath Jayasuriya at cricket MCG
1990 Garry Kasparov beats Antatoly Karpov to retain chess championship
1990 Reggie Williams becomes 1st GM of WLAF's New York-New Jersey Knights
1990 Senior Professional Baseball Association folds
1991 Chuck Knolls retires as NFL coach after 23 years
1991 Jack Ruby's gun sells for $220,000 in auction
1991 Militant Sikhs kill 55 & wound 70 in India
1991 New York Islander Derek King ties New Jersey Devils 5-5 with ½ second left
1992 New York Jet announcer Marty Glickman retires at 75
1993 Antonov-26 crashes at Gyumri, Armenia, 36 killed
1993 Comedian Rodney Dangerfield (72) weds Joan Child (41)
1993 Floyd, Nicklaus & Rodriguez win Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Golf Tourn
1994 Actor Jason Hervey (22) weds Kelley Patricia O'Neill (27)
1994 French commando's terminate Air France hijacking in Marseille
1994 President's ½ brother Roger Clinton (37) weds 8-month pregnant Molly Nartin (25)
1995 Muttiah Muralitharan no-balled for throwing (SL vs Australia, MCG)
1995 Paul Adams becomes South Africa's youngest Test Cricket player, 18 years 340 ds

---

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Africa, US : Kwanzaa (1966)
China People's Republic : Mao Tse-Tung's Birthday
Czechoslovakia : Day of Rest
West Germany : 2nd Day of Christmas
Canada, United Kingdom (except Scotland), Australia, New Zealand : Boxing Day - - - - - ( Monday )
Canada, United Kingdom (except Scotland), Australia, New Zealand : Boxing Day - - - - - ( Tuesday )
Canada, United Kingdom (except Scotland), Australia, New Zealand : Boxing Day - - - - - ( Wednesday )
Canada, United Kingdom (except Scotland), Australia, New Zealand : Boxing Day - - - - - ( Thursday )
Canada, United Kingdom (except Scotland), Australia, New Zealand : Boxing Day - - - - - ( Friday )

---

Religious Observances
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran : Feast of St Stephen, deacon, the 1st martyr
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Vicenta Maria Lopez y Vicuna, foundress

---

Religious History
1531 German reformer Martin Luther declared: 'The inner man is a saint; the outer man is a sinner. That is why we confess in the Creed that the church is holy but pray for forgiveness of sins in the Lord's Prayer.'
1620 Plymouth Colony was settled by the "Mayflower" colonists. (In 1691 Plymouth joined other neighboring settlements to form the royal colony of Massachusetts.)
1830 Birth of William Caven, Scottish_born Canadian Presbyterian leader. He taught at Knox College, in Toronto, the last 39 years of his life. Though staunchly conservative, Caven was genuinely interested in social issues and thoroughly committed to missions.
1887 Birth of Charles Brandon Booth, American social reformer and head of the Volunteers of America, 1949_58. Booth was the grandson of Salvation Army founder William Booth.
1970 American missionary and apologist Francis Schaeffer wrote in a letter: 'We can fail after we are truly Christians because becoming a Christian does not rob us of our true humanity.'

---

Thought for the day :
" Statistics are often used as a drunk uses a light pole: For support rather than illumination. "

[Valin]

Consider yourself flagged

[MistyCA]

Good morning, Sam! Thanks for this new history lesson!

[MistyCA]

One account I was reading about this states that the Hessians were Germans who got paid to fight and didn't really care which side won. Washington guessed that they had been celebrating Christmas and would not expect the weak ened Continental Army to come across the frozen river in bad weather (sleet, hail and ice). His men were demoralized, cold and hungry after their battle in New York and he wanted to bring their morale back up with a victory. Their greatest weapon was surprise.

[MistyCA]

AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TRENTON WRITTEN BY AN OFFICER ON WASHINGTON'S STAFF

New Town, Pa., Dec. 22, 1776

Things have been going against us since last August, when we were forced to give up Long Island, losing 3000 men and a great amount of supplies. In October we were forced to evacuate New York and cross the Hudson into New Jersey. We reached Trenton Dec. 2. It was prudent forethought on the part of General Washington to send General [William] Maxwell ahead to secure all the boats on the Delaware River and have them at Trenton upon our arrival. If it had not been done we should have been in a bad fix with [British Army Lieutenant-General Charles] Cornwallis at our heels. As it was the Hessians under Count [Carl von] Donop and Colonel [Johann] Rall arrived in that village in season to fire a few shots at the last boat. According to last accounts General [William] Howe [the British Commander-in-Chief] and General Cornwallis have gone to New York leaving General [Sir James] Grant with a few hundred English troops at Princeton, Colonel Rall with 1500 Hessians at Trenton and Count Donop with 2000 at Bordentown, ten miles down the river from Trenton.

Washington's headquarters are here in this little village of New Town, back from the river northwest of Trenton. General [Nathaniel] Greene and General [John] Sullivan, with their divisions, numbering 2500 men and sixteen cannon, are ten miles up stream at McConkey's Ferry. A portion of the boats are there. General [James] Ewing, with 2000 men, is on this side of the river a little below Trenton, and General [John] Cadwallader and General [Israel] Putnam are at Bristol, ten miles further down, with as many more.

I rode along the river yesterday morning and could see the Hessians in Trenton. It is a pretty village, containing about 130 houses and a Presbyterian meeting-house. A stone bridge spans the Assunpink creek on the road leading to Bordentown. There are apple orchards and gardens. Rall has his own regiment and Knyphausen a few dragoons and fifty riflemen. The Hessians call them Yagers. He has six cannon. Knyphausen has two of them, two stand in front of Rall's headquarters, and two up by the Pennington road. A scout just in says that General Howe has issued a proclamation, offering pardon to everybody in New Jersey who will lay down their arms and take the oath of allegiance. He says that Howe and Cornwallis are well satisfied with what they have accomplished. Cornwallis is going to England to tell the King that the rebellion is about over. Howe is going to have a good time in New York attending dinner parties. For what I see I am quite certain Washington intends to make some movement soon. He keeps his own counsel, but is very much determined.

Dec. 23 -- Orders have been issued to cook rations for three days. Washington has just given the counter sign, "Victory or Death." He has written a letter to General Caldwallader at Bristol, which he has entrusted to me to copy. He intends to cross the river, make a ten-mile march to Trenton, and attack Rall just before daybreak. Ewing is to cross and seize the bridge crossing the Assunpink. Putnam and Cadwallader are to cross and make a feint of attacking Donop so that he can not hasten to Rall's assistance.

Dec. 24 -- A scout just in says that the Hessians have a picket on the Pennington road half a mile out from Trenton, and another at [Brigadier-General of the New Jersey militia Philemon] Dickenson's house, on the river road.

Dec. 25 -- Christmas morning. They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to-night. They will be sleepy tomorrow morning. Washington will set the tune for them about daybreak. The rations are cooked. New flints and ammunition have been distributed. Colonel [John] Glover's fishermen from Marblehead, Mass., are to manage the boats just as they did in the retreat from Long Island.

Christmas, 6 p.m. -- The regiments have had their evening parade, but instead of returning to their quarters are marching toward the ferry. It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow-storm is setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet; others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain. They are ready to suffer any hardship and die rather than give up their liberty. I have just copied the order for marching. Both divisions are to go from the ferry to Bear Tavern, two miles. They will separate there; Washington will accompany Greene's division with a part of the artillery down the Pennington Road; Sullivan and the rest of the artillery will take the river road.

Dec. 26, 3 a.m. -- I am writing in the ferry house. The troops are all over, and the boats have gone back for the artillery. We are three hours behind the set time. Glover's men have had a hard time to force the boats through the floating ice with the snow drifting in their faces. I never had seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the river, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet, and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed, and we are ready to mount our horses.

Dec. 26, Noon -- It was nearly 4 o'clock, when we started. The two divisions divided at Bear Tavern.

At Birmingham, three and a half miles south of the tavern, a man came with a message from General Sullivan that the storm was wetting the muskets and rendering them unfit for service. "Tell General Sullivan," said Washington, "to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."

It was broad daylight when we came to a house where a man was chopping wood. He was very much surprised when he saw us. "Can you tell me where the Hessian picket is?" Washington asked. The man hesitated, but I said, "You need not be frightened, it is General Washington who asks the question." His face brightened and he pointed toward the house of Mr. Howell.

It was just 8 o'clock. Looking down the road I saw a Hessian running out from the house. He yelled in Dutch [German] and swung his arms. Three or four others came out with their guns. Two of them fired at us, but the bullets whistled over our heads. Some of General [Adam] Stephen's men rushed forward and captured two. The other took to their heels, running toward Mr. [Alexander] Calhoun's house, where the picket guard was stationed, about twenty men under Captain Altenbrockum. They came running out of the house. The Captain flourished his sword and tried to form his men. Some of them fired at us, others ran toward the village. The next moment we heard drums beat and a bugle sound, and then from the west came the boom of a cannon. General Washington's face lighted up instantly, for he knew that it was one of Sullivan's guns. We could see a great commotion down toward the meeting-house, men running here and there, officers swinging their swords, artillerymen harnessing their horses. Captain [Thomas] Forrest unlimbered his guns. Washington gave the order to advance, and rushed on the junction of King and Queen streets. Forrest wheeled six of his cannon into position to sweep both streets. The riflemen under Colonel [Edward] Hand and [Charles] Scott's and [Robert] Lawson's battalions went upon the run through the fields on the left just ready to open fire with two of their cannon when Captain [William] Washington and Lieutenant [James] Monroe with their men rushed forward and captured them. We saw Rall come riding up the street from his headquarters, which were at Stacy Potts' house. We could hear him shouting in Dutch, "My brave soldiers, advance." His men were frightened and confused, for our men were firing upon them from fences and houses and they were falling fast. Instead of advancing they ran into an apple orchard. The officers tried to rally them, but our men kept advancing and picking off the officers. It was not long before Rall tumbled from his horse and his soldiers threw down their guns and gave themselves up as prisoners.

While this was taking place on the Pennington road, Colonel John Stark, from New Hampshire, in the advance on the river road was driving Knyphausen's men pell mell through the town. Sullivan sent a portion of his troops under [Brigadier-General Arthur] St. Clair to seize the bridge and cut off the retreat of the Hessians toward Bordentown. Sullivan's men shot the artillery horses and captured two cannon attached to Knyphausen's regiment.

Dec.26, 3 p.m. -- . . . We have taken nearly 1000 prisoners, six cannon, more than 1000 muskets, twelve drums, and four colors. About forty Hessians were killed or wounded. Our loss is only two killed and three wounded. . . .I have just been with General Washington and Greene to see Rall. He will not live through the night. He asked that his men might be kindly treated. Washington promised that he would see they were well cared for.

Dec. 27. 1776. -- Here we are back in our camp with the prisoners and trophies. Washington is keeping his promise; the soldiers are in the New Town Meeting-house and other buildings. He has just given directions for tomorrow's dinner. All the captured Hessian officers are to dine with him. He bears the Hessians no malice, but says they have been sold by their Grand Duke to King George and sent to America, when if they could have their own way they would be peaceably living in their own country.

It is a glorious victory. It will rejoice the hearts of our friends everywhere and give new life to our hitherto waning fortunes. Washington has baffled the enemy in his retreat from New York. He has pounced upon the Hessians like an eagle upon a hen and is safe once more on this side of the river. If he does nothing more he will live in history as a great military commander.

Reprinted from The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, by William S. Styker (1898)

[MistyCA]

The Battle of Trenton monument was erected in 1893 to mark the site of where American artillery was placed in the surprise attack on Trenton, December 26, 1776. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, crossed the Delaware in December 1776, and headed for the enemy's barracks in Trenton, where they defeated Hessian mercenaries. On January 2, a second battle was fought that held back the British, while the main Continental forces marched to Princeton. The battle of Trenton marks a turning point in the war in America's favor.

A movement to erect a monument commemorating the success at Trenton began in 1843. About forty years later in 1886, the property for the monument was acquired by the Trenton Monument Association. To build the monument, the New Jersey legislature appropriated $15,000, Congress $30,000, and citizens contributed $15,000. On December 26, 1891—the 115th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton, the cornerstone was laid. Two years later on October 19, 1893—the 112th anniversary of the surrender at Yorktown, a dedication was held, attended by eight governors of the original thirteen states. Designed by John H. Duncan, the architect of Grant's Tomb, the memorial is an early example of the Beaux Arts style in America. Its doric column is 150 feet high and made of granite. Near the top of the column is a small round pavilion that provides access to the platform. The pavilion is surmounted by an acanthus leaf pedestal, upon which a statue of George Washington, right arm outstretched, tops the impressive monument to the pivotal battle.

[MistyCA]

The Battle of Trenton

On Christmas day in seventy-six

Our ragged troops with bayonets fixed

For Trenton marched away

The Delaware see! The boats below!

The light obscured by hail and snow!

But no signs of dismay

Our object was the Hessian band

That dared invade fair freedom's land

And quarter in that place

Great Washington he led us on

Whose streaming flag in storm or sun

Had never known disgrace

In silent march we passed the night

Each soldier panting for the fight

Though quite benumbed with frost

Greene, on the left, at six began

The right was led by Sullivan

Who ne'er a moment lost

Their pickets stormed, the alarm was spread

That rebels risen from the dead

Were marching into town

Some scampered here, some scampered there

And some for action did prepare

But soon their arms laid down

Twelve hundred servile miscreants

With all their colors, guns and tents

Were trophies of the day

The frolic o'er, the bright canteen

In center, front and rear was seen

Driving fatigue away

Now, brothers of the patriot bands

Let's sing deliverance from the hands

Of arbitrary sway

And as our life is but a span

Let's touch the tankard while we can

In memory of that day

[MistyCA]

Thank you for the daily history, Valin!

[SAMWolf]

I saw that and it was pretty good. Thanks for mentioning it.

I had a hard time getting past "Joey" as Washinton though.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Bentfeather.

[SAMWolf]

Excellent thought of the day, today.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Misty. Once again you've found a lot of good info, I like the poem.

[SAMWolf]

An Afghan child in the village of Landa Khel, Afghanistan, looks intently at U.S. Army Sgt. Jamelia Carter, 82nd Airborne Division, while receiving medical aid on Dec. 19, 2002

[Sparta]

From a local Jersey paper:


Washington's crossing was turning point

For organizers of this year's annual crossing of the Delaware River, controversy has its benefits.


Monday, December 23, 2002





At the annual rehearsal for the Christmas Day re-enactment on Dec. 8, swarms of television and radio crews and newspaper reporters and photographers were drawn to the park because of the dispute. The hullabaloo provided an opportunity to focus on the story of Washington's Delaware crossing.

Many historians consider the crossing the most critical juncture in American history. On that long ago Christmas night, Washington and 2,400 troops, remnants of the battered Continental Army, crossed the Delaware at what was then McConkey's Ferry to attack Hessian mercenaries serving in the British Army and encamped at Trenton.

After crossing the Delaware, the poorly clad Americans marched down river and surprised the Hessians in an early morning attack on Dec. 26. The Continentals defeated the enemy force without loss of life for the Americans and marched their prisoners back up the river to retire once again behind the safety of the Delaware. The emboldened Washington followed a week later with another river crossing to move against Princeton, where he defeated a British force on Jan. 3, 1777.

Prior to the Christmas crossing, Washington's army was demoralized and would have ceased to exist as enlistments ran out on New Year's Day 1777. Washington's attack on the Hessians was a desperate gamble to rally the Revolutionary cause. It worked, and after the battles of Trenton and Princeton, enlistments increased and Washington, his army, and the Revolution, survived.

Today there are amusing touches to the re-enactment. Coast Guard launches bob in the currents to pluck any hapless re-enactor from the drink.

And Washington and his troops step gingerly from the boats on the New Jersey shore to keep their shoes and uniforms dry.

In 1776, Washington's troops made the passage in a howling northeaster that dumped rain, sleet and snow on the men.