"Washington's Crossing"

[Newsletter]

"Washington's Crossing"

By: Roswell

In early December 1776, things were looking bleak. Two senior commanders were in positions to support Washington's planned crossing and attack. General Horatio Gates and General Charles Lee. Washington ordered both men to join him, but Gates was delayed by heavy snowfall. Lee, who held a low opinion of Washington, repeatedly ignored orders and remained near Morristown, positioning himself on the British flank.

Additional difficulties plagued Washington's army. Many soldiers' enlistments were set to expire at the end of 1776. Numerous troops intended to leave once their service commitments ended. Others deserted even before their enlistments expired, further weakening the already strained force.

The looming loss of manpower, a series of military defeats, the fall of New York, and the retreat of both the Continental Army and many New Jersey and New York civilians caused some members of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to question Washington's leadership and the overall direction of the war.

Despite all of these tribulations, Washington remained resolute. He worked to secure much-needed supplies and sent recruiters to enlist new soldiers, efforts that were aided in part by the poor discipline and widespread drunkenness of British and Hessian troops occupying New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The defeat and evacuation at Fort Lee dealt a particularly severe blow to Washington's army. As the forts were abandoned, critical supplies and munitions were left behind, and many soldiers were killed or captured. The losses further eroded morale, and few at the time believed that Washington and the Continental Army could ultimately defeat the British and secure American independence.

December 20, a division of approximately 2,000 troops originally commanded by General Charles Lee arrived at Washington's camp under the leadership of General John Sullivan. Lee himself had been captured by British forces on December 12. Later that same day, General Horatio Gates's division reached the camp, though by that time it consisted of only about 600 Continental soldiers, as many enlistments had recently expired while the unit was assigned to defend the northern frontier. Shortly thereafter, an additional 1,000 Continental Army troops arrived from Philadelphia under the command of Colonel John Cadwalader to reinforce Washington's growing force.

With these reinforcements and the addition of a small number of local volunteers, Washington's army numbered roughly 6,000 soldiers fit for duty. However, this figure was quickly reduced as significant detachments were assigned to guard ferry crossings at Dunk's Ferry. Other units were dispatched to protect supply depots at Newtown, Pennsylvania, and to care for the sick and wounded who remained behind as preparations for the Delaware River crossing continued. As a result, Washington was left with approximately 2,400 troops available to conduct offensive operations against the Hessian and British forces stationed in and around Trenton.

The morale of the Continental Army improved further on December 24 with the arrival of much-needed supplies, including a shipment of blankets. Among Washington's troops was a man named Thomas Paine, who captured the mood among the Patriots in his piece, The American Crisis. This was a series of pamphlets, the first of which was ordered by Washington to be read to his troops. The opening paragraph alone is enough to make a Patriot's heart surge.

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to tax) but "to bind us in all cases whatsoever," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

On the morning of December 25, George Washington ordered his troops to prepare three days' rations and ensured every soldier was issued fresh flints for their muskets. Concerned by reports that British forces might attempt their own crossing once the Delaware River froze, Washington set his plan in motion that afternoon.

By 4 p.m., the Continental Army began moving toward McConkey's Ferry. Ammunition was distributed, and even officers and musicians were ordered to carry muskets. The troops were informed only that they were embarking on a secret mission.

Marching quietly in tight formations, the army reached the ferry around 6 p.m., roughly ninety minutes after sunset. As night fell, the weather deteriorated rapidly, shifting from rain to sleet and snow amid fierce winds. Washington placed the crossing under the direction of his chief of artillery, Henry Knox, who was tasked with ferrying troops, horses, and eighteen cannon across the ice-choked river. The operation was extremely difficult, with floating ice posing the greatest danger, yet the crossing was completed through extraordinary effort.

Washington crossed early with advance units, who secured the New Jersey landing site and enforced strict security, using the password "Victory or Death." While most of the army crossed safely, a few men fell into the river during the operation. Heavy ice delayed the artillery, which did not finish crossing until about 3 a.m. on December 26. By 4 a.m., the army was assembled and ready to march.

On Christmas night, December 25, 1776, George Washington led his troops in the dead of the night crossing of the Delaware River. The strategic move marked the opening of a daring and carefully orchestrated military operation during the American Revolutionary War. The crossing set the stage for a surprise attack against Hessian mercenary forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. That surprise attack culminated in a decisive American victory at the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776.

At dawn on December 26, George Washington divided the Continental Army into two columns. Washington and General Nathanael Greene advanced along Pennington Road, while General John Sullivan led a second column down River Road toward Trenton. The parallel movements converged on the town shortly after daybreak.

The Hessian garrison at Trenton, commanded by Colonel Johann Rall, was exhausted after days of skirmishing, false alarms, and nighttime gunfire. Believing the severe storm and heavy snowfall made an attack unlikely, Rall and several officers spent Christmas night at a gathering hosted by Loyalist Abraham Hunt, a decision that left them unprepared for the American assault.

Washington's forces achieved complete surprise, quickly overwhelming the Hessians. American losses were minimal—three killed and six wounded—while the Hessians suffered 22 killed, 98 wounded, and nearly 1,000 captured. Rall was mortally wounded and died the following day, and the Americans seized large quantities of arms, artillery, and supplies.

Following the victory, the Continental Army recrossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, taking Hessian prisoners and captured military supplies with them.

Washington soon crossed the Delaware for a third time under hazardous winter conditions, as ice of uncertain thickness covered the river. On January 2, 1777, his forces repelled British reinforcements under Lord Cornwallis at Trenton and, the following day, defeated Cornwallis's rear guard at the Battle of Princeton. These victories allowed Washington to withdraw to winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey, and proved pivotal in revitalizing the American war effort. Today, the communities of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, and Washington Crossing, New Jersey bear his name in recognition of this bold and strategically significant operation.




Image Source: Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851). Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; Public Domain

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