The Crossing Part 7 (The Beginning of a War)
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George Washington crossed the Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. It was the first move in a surprise attack organized by George Washington against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey on the morning of December 26. Although Washington’s trusted dog “Sweetlips” accompanied him almost everywhere, it’s doubful that the general would risk the dog’s life on such a dangerous mission.
Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from surprising and defeating the troops of Johann Rall quartered in Trenton. The army crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time laden with prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle.
New Jersey, showing crossing and proposed attack sites. Washington chose to attack Trenton
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 at Trenton on January 2, 1777, and defeated his rear guard at Princeton on January 3, before retreating to winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey.
The unincorporated communities of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania and Washington Crossing, New Jersey are named in honor of this event.
via Wikipedia
Depiction of the crossing by Thomas Sully, 1819
>>READ MORE: A Doggie View of the Revolutionary War – Brilliant!
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