HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
ON THIS DAY IN 1776, WASHINGTON SAVED THE FREE WORLD: WIKI:
Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a planned surprise attack organized by George Washington against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey.
Planned in partial secrecy, Washington led a column of Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware River in a logistically challenging and potentially dangerous operation. Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from successfully surprising and defeating the troops of Johann Rall quartered in Trenton. The army crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time burdened by prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle.
Washington's army then crossed the river a third time at the end of the year, under conditions made more difficult by the uncertain thickness of the ice on the river. They defeated British reinforcements under Lord Cornwallis on January 2, 1777, and defeated his rear guard at Princeton before retreating to winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey.
... December, 1776.IT WAS A MIRACULOUS VICTORY. DIVINE PROVIDENCE.That winter was particularly harsh and took its toll on the rag-tag army George Washington had assembled.
In November, Washington and his Continentals had been routed by the experienced British army, and morale was ebbing quickly. Most of the soldiers were living in log huts, struggling through bitter cold with little food and inadequate clothing. Some actually had no shoes. Worse still, most of their enlistments were expiring, which meant the American army was about to dissolve.
The Revolution was on the brink of collapse.
Just a few miles away, the King's Hessian mercenaries were garrisoned in Trenton, N.J., waiting out the winter in comfort. They were professionals, known for effectiveness and ruthlessness. Once spring came, everyone knew they and the British would march to Philadelphia, arrest the so-called Continental Congress and hang their traitorous leaders.
The smart money was on a quick end to American "independence."
So, Washington put all his chips on the table. The only thing keeping his crumbling army from early defeat was the icy Delaware River. But instead of sheltering behind it, he gathered his forces for a bold offensive strike across the river.
After dark on Christmas Day, about 2,700 American soldiers marshaled near McKonkey's Ferry. A unit made up of Massachusetts fishermen manned the small fleet of boats and started taking them across through heavy ice floes.
The weather was treacherous. Snow turned to freezing rain and sleet.
Horses slipped. Men cursed. Everyone was soaked.
Through it all, Washington watched silently from the shore. The password he'd given for that night was "Victory or Death."
The crossing operation finished at about 3 a.m., later than planned.
Two other landings further down river had failed, meaning Washington's detachment would be the only one to take on the Hessians.
Everything depended on marching nine miles through the muck, keeping some semblance of order and reaching the town in coordinated fashion without alerting the enemy.
Four men died from hypothermia on the approach.
They arrived on the outskirts at about 8 a.m. on Dec. 26, two hours behind schedule. Contrary to myth, the Hessians weren't drunk, but the miserable weather had kept them from posting sentries. As the Americans deployed north and south of town, Washington passed a message:
"Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet." Although they were surprised, the Hessians put up a fight. But it was over quickly. Twenty two Hessians were killed and 83 wounded. About 900 were captured.
Only two Americans died from combat, but many more from exposure and subsequent illness.
Their sacrifices on that cold, icy, wind-driven Christmas Day resulted in a dramatic victory, saved Washington's dwindling army, rescued the Revolution, and allowed generations of Americans to enjoy liberty.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
2 comments:
It's a downright disgrace that this information isn't being taught in each and every school in the United States.
That's why I homeschool! So much schools do not teach about our nation!
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