In December, 1776, the hopes of the Colonists were at the lowest ebb. The American cause was almost lost. It was one of the most critical situations in the whole Revolution. The British occupied New York and all New Jersey, and so confident were they of success that troops were being sent back to England. One false move would plunge the colonies into immediate defeat. It was George Washington who saved the day in this dark time.
Colonel Rall was at Trenton, New Jersey, with 1,500 Hessians, soldiers whom England had hired from Germany. The American army under Washington, beaten and discouraged, but always ready and able to fight, was on the other side of the Delaware, at a point a few miles above Trenton.
Rall despised the Colonials. He did not plant a single cannon. “What need of intrenchments?” he said. “Let the rebels come. We will at them with the bayonet.”
Washington planned to attack Trenton secretly on Christmas night. He knew that, according to their custom, the Hessians would celebrate Christmas Day with a long carousal, and figured that they would be in no condition to put up a strong resistance in the cold, gray dawn of December 26. So, on the evening of December 25, Washington prepared to cross the Delaware above Trenton with about 2,000 men.
General Gates was to lead 10,000 from below Trenton; but, jealous of Washington, he refused to obey, and rode to Baltimore to intrigue in Congress for General Schuyler’s place in the north.
Washington proposed to cross the Delaware at McConkey’s Ferry, now Taylorsville. It was a terrible journey. The river was full of floating ice, the current was swift, and about midnight a fierce storm of snow and sleet set in. At last, at four A. M., all the men and guns stood on the Jersey shore.
The army then moved on Trenton as fast as possible in two divisions; but it was broad daylight before it reached the town. There it was discovered by the enemy’s pickets. These fired immediately, and the sound woke Colonel Rall and his officers who were sleeping off their debauch. Rall roused his men, and placing himself at their head gave battle to the Americans. The fight lasted only thirty-five minutes. The Hessians were defeated, and sent flying toward Princeton, and Colonel Rall was mortally wounded.
It was a magnificent victory. One thousand prisoners, 1,200 small arms, six brass field guns, and all the German flags were captured. It is evidence of Washington’s genius that, against overwhelming odds and in the face of every discouragement, he was able to seize such an opportunity to turn the darkness of defeat into the glory of victory. By this bold stroke he so strengthened the cause of the colonies that they were finally able to win out.
The spot where Washington crossed the Delaware is to be perpetuated as a public park. One hundred acres, comprising the tract called “Washington’s Crossing,” have been purchased by action of a commission, and the place will be a permanent memorial of the turning point of the Revolution.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR. VOL. 1, No. 43. SERIAL No. 43
COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.