SAR-TALK-L Archives

From: "B. Rice Aston" <>
Subject: [[SAR-TALK]]
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 17:47:34 -0600

Christmas Day 2003

As we enjoy ourselves this the fourth Christmas season of the new
century, our thoughts turn to another Christmas season, 227 years ago, a
dark period when the American Revolution hung in the balance.


Christmas Day , 1776

Victory at Trenton
Independence had been declared on July 4, 1776, but the last half of 1776
had been one disaster after another. A sobering sight appeared on Staten
Island as General Howe landed a force of 10,000 men unopposed;
reinforcements kept arriving until Howe commanded an enormous force of
32,000, 9,000 of which were Hessian mercenaries.

On August 27-29 General Howe inflicted a crushing defeat on General Israel
Putnam in the Battle of Long Island. On October 11 Benedict
Arnold's fleet was defeated on Lake Champlain and all American ships were
destroyed. Ten days later General Howe inflicted heavy casualties on
Washington's army at White Plains. On November 13 Howe, using Hessian
troops, captured the American garrison at Ft. Washington at Manhattan on
the Hudson, taking 2818 prisoners and its precious stores of 100 cannon and
thousands of muskets and cartridges. On November 19 General Cornwallis
forced General Nathaniel Green's army to evacuate Fort Lee, New Jersey, on
the Hudson, leaving behind sorely needed munitions and stores. A British
force occupied the naval base at Newport, Rhode Island on December 6 and
General Lee was captured by the British December 12. .

Within four months, Washington had been swept off Long Island, chased the
length of Manhattan, the forts on the Hudson had fallen. Washington now
retreated across the Delaware to Virginia. Raw recruits had been no match
for the well trained British army. These disasters undermined French
support and the French foreign minister ordered a halt to the sale of
munitions to America and suspended the sailing of Beaumarchais’
ships which covertly supplied America with munitions. If the British had
been able to capture the capitol at Philadelphia the war might have ended
quickly, but General Howe went into winter quarters in New York and was
sure Washington would do the dame; Philadelphia was spared for the winter.

The 6,000 man Continental army, war weary, footsore, and hungry, with more
than one-half of its enlistments up by New Year, limped through New Jersey.
Howe now dismissed Washington’s army as a military skeleton. It seemed
that Howe might have been be right, as the forts along the Hudson River
fell and Washington silently watched as his dispirited army withered
away. Washington spoke his inner most fears:

“I think the game is about up.”

During the day, Thomas Paine served as a volunteer aid, and at night by the
light of the campfire he began to write a pamphlet which he called The
Crisis. It so impressed Washington that he ordered his bands of downcast
soldiers called together, and Paine's essay was read to them. Words do not
normally inspire beaten, threadbare, hungry, and shivering men, but Paine's
words screwed up their courage, it made some ashamed, some bolder, and
caused others to return and fight. Paine's words have endured ever since as
an inspiration to soldiers facing long odds:

"These are the times that try men's souls….the summer soldier and the
sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his
country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and
woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this
consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the
triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. 'tis dearness
only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper
price on goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article
as Freedom would not be highly rated."

Washington took his troops across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The
Continental Congress, fearing a British attack, then abandoned Philadelphia
for Baltimore. A victory was urgently needed if the army was to hold
together, and there was but short time to achieve it. Washington planned a
surprise move on Christmas Day, a bold attack on the Hessian garrison at
Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians were an attractive target. The British
had made a mistake in loosing the Hessians on American civilians in New
Jersey. British Lord Francis Rawdon claimed it was necessary for the
Redcoats to ravage the countryside and the women to teach a lesson to
“these infatuated wretches”. In New Jersey, Redcoats consumed
all available fire wood and burned fences, fruit trees, the sides ane
roofs of homes, mills, and farmhouses for fuel or to intimidate the
populace. Hats and coats were snatched form heads and backs, and horses,
sheep, cows, hogs, and dogs were stolen. The Hessians were guided by the
European’s mercenary’s manners: what ever is portable is stolen, what ever
is fixed is burned down or blown up, and if a woman was not willing, rape
was acceptable. For their amusement, the Hessians sent their women camp
followers into town dressed in finery stolen from American women. This did
not sit well with Loyalist colonists.

There were two approaches to Trenton, a northern road ending at the east
end of town and a southern road ending at the west end of town. A
Continental force of 2,400 men under Washington's personal command was to
cross the Delaware above Trenton and then divide; Greene’s force would take
the northern approach and Sullivan’s force the southern approach. Both were
to arrive at the opposite ends of the main street of Trenton in the early
morning of December 26 and control it with cannon. A second force, mainly
militia, under Col. John Cadwalader was to cross below Trenton and attack
the Hessian garrison under Von Donop at Bordentown to prevent It from
supporting the Hessians at Trenton. A third force, also militia, under
Brig. Gen. James Ewing, was to take the bridge over Assunpink creek on the
Bordentown road, and block the Hessian’s escape out of Trenton.

Hessian Colonel Day Johann Rall awoke Christmas morning with his usual
hangover. He dressed and prepared to celebrate the Nativity in a hearty
German manner, winter quarters were for wine, women, and cards. On
Christmas evening, Rall attended a party at the home of a wealthy Trenton
merchant and enjoyed wine and cards. In the middle of the stormy night
there was a knock on the door and a Tory brought important news for the
Colonel, but Rall would not see him. The Tory then wrote a note telling
Rall that the American army was on the march. A servant delivered the note
to Rall. Rall believed he could control all New Jersey with just a
corporal’s guard and had railed at a junior officer who suggested the
Trenton ferry be fortified:

“Let them come! We want no trenches. We’ll go after them with the bayonet”.

Rall stuck the note in his pocket and went to bed without reading
it. Washington had chosen his opponent well.

Washington ordered the troops ferried across just after dark, but a storm
arose, first snow, then freezing rain, snow, and hail. Col. John
Fitzgerald, Washington’s aide wrote:

“It is fearfully cold and raw and as snowstorm is setting. The wind
northeast beats into the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for
those who have no shoes. Some of them have tied only ragas about their
feet: others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain.”

The Delaware River was filled with blocks of ice. Total silence was
required and no one was to break ranks under pain of death. On the
crossing jagged floating ice cakes struck the boats so hard that it was
difficult to keep them afloat. Col. Glover’s regiment, mostly sailors,
manned the boats and managed to get 2400 men, their horses and 18 cannon
across the icy river. The crossing was to have been completed by
midnight, but the storm was so severe it was not completed until nearly 4
a.m. After crossing, they marched down icy roads on unprotected feet to
Trenton, leaving a trail of blood anyone could follow. General Sullivan
sent back word that the men’s muskets would not fire due to being exposed
to the storm all night. Washington replied:

“Rely on the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton.”

Hessian Major Dechow did not send out the usual predawn patrol because of
the severe storm. Greene and Sullivan converged on Trenton just before
eight o'clock on the morning of December 26. The Hessain pickets cried:

"Der Feind! Heraus! Heraus! The enemy! Turn out! Turn out!”

Rall formed his blue coated regiment on King Street and scarlet-coated
Lossbergs marched to take over parallel Queen Street. At the top of King
Street and Queen street stood two American cannons, but would they fire
after all the rain and sleet? Captain Alexander' Hamilton's gunners struck
their matches in the touchholes, there was "fire in the hole", and the
cannons roared with grapeshot. Ralls’ regiment disintegrated and fell back.
Two other cannon quickly cleared Queen Street. The Lossbergs fired back
with cannon of their own, but Captain William Washington and Lt. James
Monroe led their men into the cannons’ mouths and captured them.

General Ewing approached over the Bordentown road but was not able to the
cross bridge over Assupink Creek and four hundred Hessians dashed over
it. Rall tried to re-form his troops and counterattack, but he died with
two bullets in his body, the fateful note unread in his pocket. Sullivan
was able to take the Assunpink bridge and close the escape gap, and one by
one the Hessians surrendered. In all about 920 were captured, 25 were
killed, and 90 were wounded. American losses were small: two Americans had
frozen to death on the march, and two officers and two privates had been
wounded in the battle. When Washington learned that the Hessians had
surrendered, he turned and said”

“Major Wilkinson, this is a glorious day for our country."

In twenty four hours the little American Army had gone from the depths of
despair to the heights of exaltation.

Howe was stunned. He could not believe that “three old established
regiments of people who made war a profession should lay down their arms to
a ragged and undisciplined militia.” British General Grant, no longer
sneering at the rabble in arms, remarked: “I did not think that all the
Rebels in America would have taken that Brigade prisoners.” Cornwallis,
was perhaps the most crestfallen, he was preparing to leave for England to
visit his sick wife, but Howe cancelled his leave and ordered him to New
Jersey to take command.

Victory at Princeton

Washington was determined to strike again and he was desperate to prevent
the loss of the troops, mostly men from New England, whose enlistments
were to expire in two days. If he could just hold them together
for another six weeks, he could combine them with men who had enlisted for
several years or for the duration of the war and have a respectable force.
The New Englanders were all too ready to leave, the fighting had been hard
and they had endured enough insults from the Southern troops about their
fighting ability. Washington, a southerner himself, addressed them:

"You have done all I asked you to do and more than could be reasonably
expected. But your country is a stake. Your wives, hour houses and all that
you hold dear."

If they agreed to serve another six weeks he promised a bounty of ten
dollars, an extravagant sum. Washington then asked for volunteers and the
drums rolled, but none stepped forward. Washington then rode down the line
again pleading "in the most affectionate manner." His words were not
eloquent, he was but a mediocre speaker, but somehow his honesty touched
their hearts. No one could describe it other than the mystical, magical
quality of leadership which pled not for personal gain, but for a cause
bigger than all of them. One soldier said to his friend, "I will stay if
you will", and both stepped forward. The drums resumed and eventually the
entire regiment volunteered. Washington now had 5,000 soldiers, about
1400 regulars, and the rest untried militia. It was a spectacular feat
accomplished while Cornwallis was rushing to destroy them.

Washington asked Robert Morris of Philadelphia to provide money for the
bounties he had promised. The hardened New Englanders might have been moved
by his sincerity, but he had promised cash, and promissory notes would
undermine his credibility. He urged Morris to

"Borrow money where it can be done...upon our private credit. Every man
of interest and every lover of his country must strain his credit upon such
an occasion."

He also asked for 150.00 pounds in hard money to “pay a certain set of
people who are of particular use to us”, i.e. spies. Morris quickly rushed
$50,000 paper dollars to Washington plus 124.76 in British pounds for
“those particular people.”

Cornwallis left three companies of light dragoons and three regiments of
infantry at Princeton and came after Washington with 7000 soldiers and
artillery, planning to pin him against the Delaware and destroy him.
Washington was surprised at the speed with which Cornwallis pursued him.

Washington crossed the Delaware to the Trenton side again on the night of
December 30-31 with a force of about 5,000. He deployed his main body
,just below Trenton, near the Bordentown road, on the east bank of
Assunpink Creek. It was not a good position. Washington knew that
Cornwallis would come down the Princeton Road to Trenton and try to trap
him against the Delaware river and he posted a rear guard on the Princeton
Road, under Col. Edward Hand, to delay Cornwallis’ approach. The rear guard
fought so well Cornwallis believed he faced Washington’s entire army, and
it was almost on dark January 2 when he reached Trenton and faced
Washington across the Assunpink. British skirmishers reported that the
Americans held a strong position. The British troops were exhausted, and
Cornwallis believing he now had the Americans in a trap, and could destroy
them at his leisure, decided to put off battle until the next day. It was
a costly mistake.

There were only glum faces at the American council of war on January 2.
Cornwallis had them outnumbered and they were almost trapped against the
Delaware river. Washington did not ask for his Generals’ advice, instead
he set them on fire with his proposal to slip away in the night and
overwhelm the outnumbered garrison at Princeton and then turn and fall upon
New Brunswick, Cornwallis' supply depot and his war chest of seventy
thousand pounds. Such was the enthusiasm that when some one complained that
muddy roads might make it impossible to move even light cannon, the warning
was brushed aside.

Leaving their camp fires burning to deceive the British, Washington's army
slipped away in the night, and the next morning they struck a surprise blow
at Princeton, inflicting heavy losses on two British regiments leaving to
join Cornwallis. Washington then marched on to New Brunswick, but when he
reached Kingston, a few miles above Princeton, his battle weary soldiers
began to slip off and fall asleep in barns and silos. They had reached
their limits of endurance, and if Washington had gone on to New Brunswick
he would arrive with few men. So Washington went into winter quarters in
the hills around Morristown, New Jersey. Cornwallis did not pursue, he had
had enough of winter warfare.

Washington later wrote Congress of his disappointment:

"Six or seven hundred fresh troops, upon a forced march would have
destroyed all their stores and magazines [at New Brunswick] and [we could
have] taken their military chest…and put an end to the war."

The results of the victories at Trenton and Princeton were far reaching.
There was a drastic warming in America’s relations with France; France’s
foreign minister cancelled his prohibition against selling munitions to
America and permitted Beauchmarchais’ ships to sail. Spain, having paused
in rearmament, renewed it, much to the chagrin of George III, and for
England the storm flags began flying.

Many Tories, heartened by the victories at Trenton and Princeton, and
repulsed by the barbarism of the Hessians and Redcoats, crossed over to
the patriot side. Lack of Tory support forced Howe to withdraw from most
of New Jersey and his dream of breakaway States submitting to the Crown
began to fade. He now wrote:

“I do not see a prospect of terminating the war, except by a general action.”

Fortuitous events followed: In March, 1977 the Continental Congress was
able to return Philadelphia. Lafayette arrived four months later and was
commissioned a major general. In September, Burgoyne was badly defeated at
Saratoga and when the news reached Paris, Saratoga was celebrated as if it
had been a French victory. France recognized America as a sovereign nation
and Ben Franklin was received at the Royal Court. Burgoyne went home in
disgrace and never received another command. The victories at Trenton and
Princeton had had a far reach.

Washington's military genus at Trenton and Princeton had heartened his
countrymen and earned him the admiration of Europe and of the leading
soldier of the day, Frederick the Great of Prussia, who observed:
"The achievements of Washington and his little band of Compatriots between
the 25th of December 1776 and the 4th of January 1777 in a space of 10
days, were the most brilliant of any recorded in the history of military
achievements."

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• [[SAR-TALK]] by "B. Rice Aston" <>