On the 5th Day of Christmas Past,
Question: What changed the tide of the American Revolution for George Washington and his men Christmas Day 1776?
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“George Washington’s Christmas 1776”
“At the end of 1776, the Revolutionary War looked like it might be lost for colonial forces. A series of defeats by the British had depleted morale, and many soldiers had deserted the Continental Army. Desperate to strike a decisive victory, General George Washington planned to lead 2,400 troops on a daring nighttime crossing of an ice-choked Delaware River. They were crossing not just to get to the other side but to surprise attack upon a force of German soldiers (Hessian garrison) of roughly 1,400 soldiers located in and around Trenton, New Jersey. Washington hoped that a quick victory at Trenton would bolster sagging morale in his army and encourage more men to join the ranks of the Continentals come the new year. After several councils of war, General George Washington was inspired to set the date for the river crossing for Christmas night 1776.
George Washington’s plan of attack included three different crossings of the Delaware River that Christmas night. Col. Cadwalader was to lead his force of 1,200 Philadelphia militia and 600 Continentals across the river near Burlington, New Jersey. His role was to harass and prevent the British and Hessian units near the town from racing north to support the Hessians at Trenton. Gen. James Ewing’s force of 800 Pennsylvania militia was to cross the river at Trenton and take up defensive positions along the Assunpink River and bridge. Ewing’s soldiers would work to prevent the Hessians from retreating from Trenton. And Washington and his 2,400 soldiers would cross at McConkey’s and Johnson’s ferries, roughly 10 miles north of Trenton and would then march down to Trenton to surprise the garrison at dawn. This was an ambitious plan, one that even well rested and experienced troops would have had difficulty in executing.
Lurking within Washington’s headquarters was a British spy who has never been identified. This spy was privy to the their plans and passed them on to British leaders who did not think they would actually attack but passed it on to Hessian Col Johann Rall, warning him to be vigilant. Two American deserters who had crossed the river also told the Hessians that the American army was ready to move. So why wasn’t Rall more active in opposing the crossing or better prepared to defend the town? History records that a series of false alarms and the growing storm had given the Hessian defenders a sense that no attack was likely this night. How might history have changed if the Hessians responded differently to all this intelligence?
That Christmas night by the time most of the soldiers had reached the launching point for the boats, the drizzle had turned into a driving rain. And by 11 o’clock that evening, while the boats were crossing the river, a howling nor’easter made the miserable crossing even worse. One soldier recorded that “it blew a perfect hurricane” as snow and sleet lashed Washington’s army. Washington was blessed to have a large number of experienced watermen of New Englanders with extensive experience as seamen as well as other experienced watermen from the Philadelphia area, many familiar with this exact stretch of river. They were able to provide the muscle and skill needed to make the perilous nighttime crossing. The crossing was done in shallow draft Durham boats – strongly built cargo vessels with high side walls and robust enough to survive the ice-choked Delaware. Heavy artillery pieces and horses were transported on large flat-bottomed ferries and other watercraft more suited to carrying that type of difficult cargo. Despite the trouble Washington and the Continental army wanted the extra firepower that the artillery could produce. The Continentals brought 18 cannons over the river, horses to pull the carriages, and enough ammunition for the coming battle. The 6-Pounders alone weighed as much as 1,750 pounds and were the most difficult to transport to the far side of the river. Washington’s soldiers were forced to stand during the entire crossing.
It shouldn’t be all that surprising that Washington’s carefully choreographed attack plan fell so far behind schedule. His men were tired, hungry, and ill-clothed. They had to march many miles through the dark and snow to even reach the river crossing site, many without shoes. From there, they needed to board boats at night, during a frightening winter storm with a great contingent of heavy artillery pieces with them.
Finally across the river, Washington was dismayed to discover that he was a full three hours behind his schedule and that his main force was the only of the three groups who managed to cross. They were still 10 miles from the outskirts of Trenton with roads that were now slick with ice and snow and many of his men without shoes. With every delay Washington’s fears that his army would be caught in the open magnified. What to do? Contemplating his choices Washington was seen praying on a crate near a fire. Washington later wrote, when remembering this fateful moment, “…As I was certain there was no making a retreat without being discovered, and harassed on repassing the River, I determined to push on at all Events.”
General Washington’s decision paid off. Many of the Hessians were still disoriented from the previous night’s holiday bender, and colonial forces defeated them with minimal bloodshed. The large artillery they brought proved its worth. Washington positioned his cannons and other artillery on the high-ground. The severe weather of sleet and snow made it so the muskets the German soldiers were using couldn’t fire, but Washington’s cannons could, and that turned out to make the critical difference.
While Washington had pulled off a shock victory, his army was unequipped to hold the city and he was forced to re-cross the Delaware that same day—this time with nearly 1,000 Hessian prisoners in tow. Washington would go on to score successive victories at the Battles of the Assunpink Creek and Princeton, and his audacious crossing of the frozen Delaware served as a crucial rallying cry for the beleaguered Continental Army. This Crossing marked the beginning of the 10 Crucial Days that turned the tide of the American Revolution.”
It seems very appropriate that on a Christmas Day Washington and his men were so carefully watched over and willing to sacrifice for us inspite of impossible conditions. That Christmas Day marked the tide of the turning point of the war in favor of establishing the land of the free.
Washingtons surprising victory was a crucial rallying cry for the Continental Army. The crossing of the Delaware marked the beginning of the 10 Crucial Days that turned the tide of the American Revolution.
In spite of their plans being exposed to both the British & Hessian forces, the two other forces from the Continental Army being unable to achieve their part of the plan, having their plans delayed due to an insane winter storm, and Washington’s own soldiers being tired, hungry, week, and some without shoes, Washington still gathered strength after praying and lead his army to a shock victory at Trenton. He continue to win a couple more bottles, energizing the tide of the American revolution. What an amazing story!
Faith, courage, determination and the power of faith and prayer led George Washington and his Continental troops to cross the Delaware in the worst possible weather conditions. That successful surprise attack on Christmas night gave the Collonial army hope and courage to go on and score more victories over the next two weeks changing the morale of those who were near to giving up the cause.
I feel that the Lord was with Washington and his troops at that time. This is the promised land and there were many righteous souls foreordained to preserve the freedom of this land for the coming forth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Washington prayed and determined to push on to Trenton even though it seemed there were many things going against them. Little miracles along the way guaranteed his shocking victory.
Prayer, Nor-easter, Christmas, an unlikely river crossing, and 18 cannons, together with victories over the next 10 days turned the tide for the Contential Army during the Revolutionary War.
Washington prayed and decided to push on even though it looked as though he would not be able to make it. But the weather was bad for all sides. And the other side had wet guns and they wouldn’t fire. George Washington had cannons that did fire in the wet conditions. I love this story because you can picture him out in the middle of the war praying to Heavenly Father asking For His protection and help to know what the best thing to do is. America is the promised land and God does watch over it.
George Washington’s small army was made up of experienced and courageous watermen. They crossed a treacherous river in the middle of the night. And with the cold and wet weather, along with the German soldier’s wearied condition, the Continental army took a victory that gave hope to the colonists.
It’s nothing short of miraculous that despite every odd, Washington was able to cross the river and pull off a successful attack against the Germans. I’m so impressed that Washington stopped to pray for guidance. For sure the Lird was with him and his troops.
I truly believe Washington was inspired. He pondered and prayed often while making decisions. Along with this inspiration, he had chosen men who knew how to navigate the river and withstand the winter elements. Also, the Germans didn’t believe the Continental Army could pull off such a plan. After celebrating too much, they were in no shape to defend themselves.
Crossing the river and victory at Trenton “marked the beginning of the 10 Crucial Days that turned the tide of the American Revolution.” Also critical to this victory was the fact that the German muskets didn’t work in the bitter cold of this battle while the American cannons did. Having read detailed accounts of this event, I personally believe that Washington’s act of kneeling in prayer should be credited with much of this victory. They definitely had God on their side.
Washington, through faith and fervent prayer pushed through the trials in their way so they could change the course of the war and it was a beginning to many victories to follow.
What courage and wisdom! I cannot imagine crossing that river at night and in a storm. We should live worthy of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers. George Washington was known as the “indispensable man” and indeed he was. He led our military to victory and then served as our 1st president and then stepped down though he had the support to stay in power. Thank you George.
George Washington is know as the “indispensable man” and indeed he was. Both militarily and politically. He won, he served, he stepped down.
WAshington proved to be a man who understood the need for prayer if he were to be the military man he needed to be and to lead his men to victory. The crossing of the Delaware has been taught for many years in our schools as his victory call.