Al
12-26-2010, 04:42 PM
The Continental Army under General George Washington was in shambles. Beaten in New York and chased across New Jersey, they retreated across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania for what seemed like a final defeat. Morale was low, desertions were high. On top of that, most enlistments were up at year's end with little hope that any would return.
We were that close to losing it all.....that close to becoming Canada....
Washington needed a miracle....or a crazy plan.
Trenton, New Jersey was occupied by three regiments of Hessian soldiers totaling 1400 men. Hessians were the elite fighting force in the 18th century, feared the world over. A head to head fight would be suicide. Washington's plan was to wait until Christmas night when the Germans were all drunk and partied out then attack them in their beds.
http://www.britishbattles.com/images/trenton/washington-delaware-l.jpg
He started moving his troops across the river about 11pm Christmas night in heavy snow and sleet. The river was choked with ice floes. Washington’s force did not reach the east bank until around 3am, numbering about 2400 men. His soldiers were badly clothed and many did not have shoes. The troops then marched to Trenton, some of the men leaving traces of blood on the snow.
The attack commenced at dawn with the Americans advancing from two sides. The Hessians attempted to form in the center of town but took heavy artillery fire and were forced to retreat to an orchard southeast of town where they surrendered. The Hessian commander, Colonel Rahl was fatally wounded in town.
http://www.britishbattles.com/images/trenton/streets-trenton.jpg
The Americans suffered 4 wounded. 2 American soldiers died, not from the battle but from freezing to death.
The Hessians had 20 dead, 100 wounded and 1000 captured.
Word of Washington's victory quickly spread and galvanized the country. Soldiers reenlisted and morale rose, overturning the psychological dominance achieved by the British in the preceding year. The tide was turning and the momentum would carry the Continental army to eventual victory over the British
Merry Day-After-Christmas!
We were that close to losing it all.....that close to becoming Canada....
Washington needed a miracle....or a crazy plan.
Trenton, New Jersey was occupied by three regiments of Hessian soldiers totaling 1400 men. Hessians were the elite fighting force in the 18th century, feared the world over. A head to head fight would be suicide. Washington's plan was to wait until Christmas night when the Germans were all drunk and partied out then attack them in their beds.
http://www.britishbattles.com/images/trenton/washington-delaware-l.jpg
He started moving his troops across the river about 11pm Christmas night in heavy snow and sleet. The river was choked with ice floes. Washington’s force did not reach the east bank until around 3am, numbering about 2400 men. His soldiers were badly clothed and many did not have shoes. The troops then marched to Trenton, some of the men leaving traces of blood on the snow.
The attack commenced at dawn with the Americans advancing from two sides. The Hessians attempted to form in the center of town but took heavy artillery fire and were forced to retreat to an orchard southeast of town where they surrendered. The Hessian commander, Colonel Rahl was fatally wounded in town.
http://www.britishbattles.com/images/trenton/streets-trenton.jpg
The Americans suffered 4 wounded. 2 American soldiers died, not from the battle but from freezing to death.
The Hessians had 20 dead, 100 wounded and 1000 captured.
Word of Washington's victory quickly spread and galvanized the country. Soldiers reenlisted and morale rose, overturning the psychological dominance achieved by the British in the preceding year. The tide was turning and the momentum would carry the Continental army to eventual victory over the British
Merry Day-After-Christmas!