Washington Crossing the Delaware

On Christmas Eve 224 years ago General George Washington crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessian mercenaries garrisoned in Trenton, New Jersey.  The Hessian’s stopped in Trenton after forcing the American Patriots out of New Jersey into Pennsylvania. The Hessian’s now had a river between opposing armies, and intelligence reports that the Americans were starving, unclothed, poorly equipped and ravaged by disease. This in the middle of a harsh winter. Hessian Information was true.

The indomitable American Patriot spirit was not foreseen by the Hessians or the British. American Patriots, despite the poor conditions began crossing at night Christmas eve.

British and Hessian Brigade commander Colonel J.G. Rall was an experienced leader who each night had one regiment clothed and armed, sentries posted and patrols in the countryside. Rall was chastised by his superior, British General Grant, for asking for reinforcements.

Washington had two choices. Stay in Pennsylvania and see his Army totally dissolve from disease, exposure, low morale and completed enlistments, or attack. Washington’s ARMY had dwindled to around 6000 capable of duty.  Washington planned three crossing sites.  He would lead the largest group of 2400 men and 18 guns crossing upstream of Trenton.  Only crossing at his site was successful. At 8am fighting commenced and around 10am the battle was over.

While attempting to rally his troops Rall was wounded, dying a few days after the battle. The Hessian casualties were just over 100, with an estimated 900 of them captured. Washington’s men suffered more from exposure than gunfire.

Washington, knowing there were many British in the region and not knowing their whereabouts, recrossed the river sending before him captured materials, supplies, weapons and prisoners.  Washington insisted prisoners “be well treated”.  The Hessian officers were then confined in western Virginia.  The enlisted were sent to German speaking parts of Pennsylvania.  They worked in the trades they claimed.  Most never returned to Europe.

Why is Washington’s win in Trenton so important?

• 1.  It was a victory against the British after a series of losses; the greatest military on the planet could be defeated.
• 2.  It resupplied Washington’s ARMY. Congress and the states promised lots, but delivered little.
• 3.  It revitalized Washington’s reputation, which muted Gage’s bid to replace him as Commander in Chief.
• 4.  The victory boosted troop moral, increasing a willingness to enlist and fight.
• 5.  It reversed erosion of American Patriot’s moral and renewed support for the revolution.

Perie Rick Pitts, VLS volunteer and member National Sojourners Inc.

Sources:  The British are Coming, p511-529 Rick Atkinson 2019 Holt Paper ISBN978-125-02-3132-1
The American Revolution 250th Anniversary page 30, McClatchy Lifestyle & Entertainment

Image Credit: https://freerangeamerican.us/washington-crossing-the-delaware/