George Washington's Crossing of the Delaware
George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River occurred on the night of December 25, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. It was the first move in a surprise attack organized by Washington against the Hessian forces camped in Trenton, New Jersey, and executed on the morning of December 26th. Washington led a column of Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware River in a dangerous operation. Other planned crossings had previously been called off, but this did not prevent Washington from surprising and defeating the Hessian troops quartered in Trenton. The army later crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time burdened by prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle.
On the morning of December 25, Washington ordered his army to prepare three days' food, and issued orders that every soldier be outfitted with fresh flints for their muskets. He was also concerned about intelligence reports that the British were planning their own crossing once the Delaware was frozen over. At 4 pm Washington's troops were issued ammunition. They were told that they were departing on a secret mission. Marching eight abreast in close formations, and ordered to be as quiet as possible, they left the camp for McKonkey's Ferry. Washington's plan required the crossing to begin as soon as it was dark enough to conceal their movements on the river, but most of the troops did not reach the crossing point until about 6 pm, about ninety minutes after sunset. The weather got progressively worse, turning from drizzle to rain to sleet and snow.
Washington had given charge of the crossing logistics to his chief of artillery, Henry Knox. Most of his troops could not swim), and he also had to safely transport eighteen pieces of artillery and the horses to move them over the river. Knox later wrote that the crossing was accomplished "with almost infinite difficulty", and that its most significant danger was "floating ice in the river". Knox deserves a significant amount of credit for the success of the operation.
Washington was among the first of the troops to cross, going with Virginia troops led by General Adam Stephen. These troops formed a sentry line around the landing area in New Jersey, with strict instructions that no one was to pass through. The password was "Victory or Death". The rest of the army crossed without incident, although a few men, including Delaware's Colonel John Haslet fell into the water.
The amount of ice on the river prevented the artillery from finishing the crossing until 3 am on December 26. The troops were not ready to march until 4 am. As soon as the army was ready, Washington ordered it split into two columns, one under the command of himself and General Greene, the second under General Sullivan. The Sullivan column would was tasked with the area from River Road from Bear Tavern to Trenton while Washington's column would follow along a parallel route that lay a few miles inland from the river. The battle was a success for the Continental Army. Only three Americans were killed and six wounded, while 22 Hessians were killed with 98 wounded. The Americans captured 1,000 prisoners and seized muskets, powder, and artillery.
On the morning of December 25, Washington ordered his army to prepare three days' food, and issued orders that every soldier be outfitted with fresh flints for their muskets. He was also concerned about intelligence reports that the British were planning their own crossing once the Delaware was frozen over. At 4 pm Washington's troops were issued ammunition. They were told that they were departing on a secret mission. Marching eight abreast in close formations, and ordered to be as quiet as possible, they left the camp for McKonkey's Ferry. Washington's plan required the crossing to begin as soon as it was dark enough to conceal their movements on the river, but most of the troops did not reach the crossing point until about 6 pm, about ninety minutes after sunset. The weather got progressively worse, turning from drizzle to rain to sleet and snow.
Washington had given charge of the crossing logistics to his chief of artillery, Henry Knox. Most of his troops could not swim), and he also had to safely transport eighteen pieces of artillery and the horses to move them over the river. Knox later wrote that the crossing was accomplished "with almost infinite difficulty", and that its most significant danger was "floating ice in the river". Knox deserves a significant amount of credit for the success of the operation.
Washington was among the first of the troops to cross, going with Virginia troops led by General Adam Stephen. These troops formed a sentry line around the landing area in New Jersey, with strict instructions that no one was to pass through. The password was "Victory or Death". The rest of the army crossed without incident, although a few men, including Delaware's Colonel John Haslet fell into the water.
The amount of ice on the river prevented the artillery from finishing the crossing until 3 am on December 26. The troops were not ready to march until 4 am. As soon as the army was ready, Washington ordered it split into two columns, one under the command of himself and General Greene, the second under General Sullivan. The Sullivan column would was tasked with the area from River Road from Bear Tavern to Trenton while Washington's column would follow along a parallel route that lay a few miles inland from the river. The battle was a success for the Continental Army. Only three Americans were killed and six wounded, while 22 Hessians were killed with 98 wounded. The Americans captured 1,000 prisoners and seized muskets, powder, and artillery.