Washington's Delaware crossing

The Delaware Crossing was the moment of George Washington’s brightest laurels.

Introduction

He was faced with overwhelming military odds and the certain destruction of the American colonies' quest for independence. Twelve thousand British troops slowed only by weather in their unopposed advance across New Jersey. Facing three separate groups under the seasoned commands of Generals Gage, Howe and Cornwallis, Washington knew his options were limited.

His remaining 2400 men on the western bank of the Delaware River nine miles north of Trenton had few choices. They were surrounded by unfriendly locals who believed the revolution all but lost and tradesmen unwilling to extend credit. They were cold, hungry and for many their enlistments were up in less than one week. In the face of certain and permanent defeat Washington chose to attack on Christmas Day 1776 under cover of night.

The goal was simple. Capture the stores of food, clothing, blankets and munitions from the regiments of Hessian mercenaries stationed in Trenton and drive them out of the city. The Hessians waited also. Quartered warmly in the city of Trenton, they paused in anticipation of joining forces with the approaching British. The columns led by Generals Howe, Gage, and Corwallis coming westward across New Jersy planned on arriving in time for the river to freeze over. Once that covergence in time occured these German mercenaries would spearhead the mortal blow to the colonists insurrection.

George Washington

He was known in his time as a man of great personal reserve and absolute conviction. He was appointed to command the Continental Army in June of 1775. John Adams, then head of the Massachusetts Legislature suggested Washington's appointment, citing his "skill as an officer... great talents and universal character." Washington assumed command on July 3, 1775. However, he did not support colonial independence until 1776 and only then convinced by the writings of Thomas Paine in the pamphlet “Common Sense’’ first published January 10, 1776. Barely three months later on March 17, 1776, Washington commanded the American forces that drove the British from Boston.

He stationed his artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston. The cannonade and subsequent action brought the effect that the British commander, General William Howe retreated with his Army to Halifax, Canada. Washington's then moved his army to New York City in anticipation of a British offensive there. Washington lost the Battle of Long Island on August 22 but managed an organized retreat, saving most of his forces. However, several other battles in the area sent Washington scrambling across New Jersey, leaving the future of the Revolution in doubt.

On the night of December 25, 1776, Washington led the American forces back across the Delaware River to attack Hessian forces in The Battle of Trenton, New Jersey, who were anticipating an attack, but not so near Christmas. The successful attacks built morale among the pro-independence colonists, rekindled the spirit of insurrection, restored the trust of the bankers financing his army and brought safety at least for that winter to the Continental Congress and the Colonial Government in and around Philadelphia. However, once that initial mission was accomplished, Washington did not stop. In fact he pressed his advantage. Washington followed up the assault on Trenton with another sneak attack on General Charles Cornwallis's forces at The Battle of Princeton on January 2 to 4, 1777. Rapidly the Continental Army advanced north and east from Trenton surprising and driving the British from Princeton and established a new American line of defense. Now well fed, well equipped and newly re-enlisted Washington’s Army was well east of the “Cradle of Liberty’’ in Philadelphia. They had stopped the oncoming British juggernaut.

Preparation

In preparation for the Battle of Trenton, George Washington split his company of three thousand men, already outnumbered almost four to one, during the last weeks of December 1776. Through historical records and his own multitude correspondences it is known Washington’s successful assault did not come without a price.

Under the command of Colonel John Cadwallader Washington sent 600 Continental soldiers to take up position in Bristol, Pennsylvania a few miles north of Philadelphia on the Delaware River. The intent was to have this force cross the Delaware and attack Trenton from the south. Inclement weather and river ice prevented Cadwallader from crossing his cannon and joining Washington’s men at the appointed 5:00am rendezvous in Trenton.

Further south in New Jersey, Colonel Samuel Griffin surprised British forces. Griffin had moved across the Delaware with a contingent of soldiers from Philadelphia and gathered some New Jersey Militia and faced off against the British troops at Mount Holly, New Jersey. His presence stirred up the British to a watchfulness that nearly defeated Washington's attack on Trenton. He had done this contrary to orders from Washington, who had in fact preferred Griffin and his company go to Bristol and join with Cadwallader. [1]

The Plan of Attack

The plan, according to Washington’s correspondence with Major General Joseph Spencer of December 22, was to have Colonel Cadwallader and Colonel Griffin’s men cross the Delaware together with 1200 soldiers and militia on December 23 and join the attack on Trenton. [2]

Directly across the Delaware from Trenton in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, General James Ewing with less than 150 men, so decimated were the ranks of the Continental Army, was ordered to cross the Delaware and join Washington. Here too weather and river ice conspired to keep Washington’s force fragmented and his plans for victory in doubt.

Nine miles to the north at Mckonkey’s Ferry, Washington’s men began their river crossing. The plan was to cross two divisions, 2400 soldiers and cannon using the ferry boats. Knowing that Griffin’s actions had alerted the British; that Cadwallader could not meet him and that Ewing’s force was too small, Washington continued. His belief and faith is well documented. As commander of the American forces, he knew with prayerful purpose and divine inspiration, his army held the only hope to save the War of Independence for the American cause. His correspondence to family (Lund Washington) [3] and his friend and financier (Robert Morris) [4] shows clearly he knew, an attack of overwhelming force was bearing down on Philadelphia as soon as the river froze over.

Washington's plans to break a winter camp, split his hungry and ragged forces, cross an ice choked river, outflank and drive a far superior and powerful enemy away from Liberty's doorstep proved to be more than his opposition expected.

The loading at McKonkey’s Ferry on December 25 (now known as Washington’s Crossing) did not go according to plan. Washington had hoped to get everyone across including cannon by Midnight. But the ice in the river impeded the crossing so much that it was nearly four in the morning before his 2400 men were marching south. As if arriving far behind the scheduled time of 5:00am was not bad enough, the weather turned against them. On that march, Washington’s men, two divisions of hungry, tired, ill-clothed soldiers encountered every form of foul and discouraging weather imaginable. Yet the snow, ice, sleet, wind and rain could not dampen Washington’s resolve. Knowing that he had everything to lose by not pressing the attack, he urged his men forward arriving at Trenton and discovered the Hessians, who were fully expected to be waiting, were indeed yet asleep.

The next day on December 27, Washington reported to President of Congress, John Hancock, headquartered north of Philadelphia in Newton, Pennsylvania that he despaired of arriving in time to surprise the Hessians. But he also knew he was too late for any organized retreat back across the Delaware. With no turning back, He ordered his Generals to lead the assault by the lower River Road and the upper Pennington Road. The distance being equal the two divisions would arrive simultaneously and prevent the forming of an ordered defense. The force on the upper road lead by General Stephen’s brigade and supported by Major General Greene’s two brigades arrived exactly at 8:00am. Three minutes later the division led by Major General Sullivan traveling the River Road arrived.

The Battles of Trenton

The battle that ensued was swift. Within 30 minutes the Hessian garrison surrendered. The American losses were as Washington himself wrote “trifling”. Only two officers and one or two privates wounded. The Hessians that escaped to the south were met and routed by Cadwallader’s force which finally managed to cross with both men and artillery on December 27. Cadwallader, believing Washington to be still in New Jersey pressed onward to the north and east encountering the regrouping Hessians at Bordentown. General Ewing was unable to cross despite heroic efforts but did secure the bridge to Pennsylvania preventing any escape along that route.

In concluding his report of December 27 to the President of Congress, George Washington stated, “Our loss is very trifling indeed, only two Officers and one or two privates wounded. I find, that the Detachment of the Enemy consisted of the three Hessian Regiments of Lanspatch, Kniphausen and Rohl amounting to about 1500 Men, and a Troop of British Light Horse, but immediately upon the begining of the Attack, all those who were, not killed or taken, pushed directly down the Road towards Bordentown. These would likewise have fallen into our hands, could my plan have been compleatly carried into Execution. Genl. Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trenton Ferry, and taken possession of the Bridge leading out of Town, but the Quantity of Ice was so great, that tho' he did every thing in his power to effect it, he could not get over.’’

"This difficulty also hindered General Cadwallader from crossing, with the Pennsylvania Militia, from Bristol, he got part of his Foot over, but finding it impossible to embark his Artillery, he was obliged to desist. I am fully confident, that could the Troops under Generals Ewing and Cadwallader have passed the River, I should have been able, with their Assistance, to have driven the Enemy from all their posts below Trenton. But the Numbers I had with me, being inferior to theirs below me, and a strong Battalion of Light Infantry at Princetown above me, I thought it most prudent to return the same Evening, with my prisoners and the Artillery we had taken. We found no Stores of any Consequence in the Town. In justice to the Officers and Men, I must add, that their Behaviour upon this Occasion, reflects the highest honor upon them. The difficulty of passing the River in a very severe Night, and their march thro' a violent Storm of Snow and Hail, did not in the least abate their Ardour. But when they came to the Charge, each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward, and were I to give a preference to any particular Corps, I should do great injustice to the others.’’ [5]

and Princeton

This famous victory, and then one week later on January 2 to January 4 at the Battle of Princeton under much more favorable weather conditions, breathed new life into the cause that eventually became the United States of America. Although he had no idea then of the enormity the success his resolve bought, George Washington believing himself to be led, followed through with his mission. The difficult conditions, from the locals who believed the revolution all but over and the British wrath fast upon, the impossible odds, and even creation itself seeming to turn against him did not sway him for one minute. The great victories clearly were snatched from the jaws of defeat.

The result among the populace and the men in the field is best described in this report on the Battle of Princeton: “Although now General Cadwallader had not been able to pass the Delaware at the appointed time, yet, believing that General Washington was still on the Jersey side, on the 27th he crossed the river with fifteen hundred men, about two miles above Bristol; and even after he was informed that General Washington had again passed into Pennsylvania, he proceeded to Burlington, and next day marched on Bordentown, the enemy hastily retiring as he advanced.” The spirit of resistance and insurrection was again fully awakened in Pennsylvania, and considerable numbers of the militia repaired to the standard of the commander-in-chief, who again crossed the Delaware and marched to Trenton, where, at the beginning of January, he found himself at the head of five thousand men.” [6]

Conclusion

Finally it is interesting to note the British Field Commander in New Jersey during December 1776 and January 1777, Charles Cornwallis observed as he surrendered after the final British defeat at Yorktown, Virginia, “This is a great victory for you, but your brightest laurels will be writ upon the banks of the Delaware.” Robert 09:35, 31 May 2005 (CDT)

Links

• Letter to Colonel John Cadwallader - December 24, 1776

• Letter to Major General Joseph Spencer - December 22, 1776

• Letter to Lund Washington - December 10 and 17, 1776

• Letter to Robert Morris - December 22, 1776

• Letter to John Hancock - December 27, 1776

• The Battle of Trenton - British Battles web page

• The Battle of Princeton - British Battles web page

• The Battle of Long Island - British Battles web page

• The Battle of Princeton