December 25, 2024
It’s really almost a miracle event, viewed by the population at the time. It looked as if the war was over … This victory is a huge morale confidence building victory that’s going to allow the war to continue
Historian Clay Craighead
Why It Matters: On Christmas night in 1776, General George Washington made a decision that would change the course of American history: he crossed the Delaware River and surprised the British Army at the Battle of Trenton. Historian Clay Craighead explains how this bold move shifted the momentum of the Revolutionary War, and arguably changed the course of American history forever.
July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence is signed. The British army, however, maintains many high profile victories.
Winter of 1776: General Washington’s Continental Army is in retreat. They’re running low on troops, supplies, and morale, with heavy casualties and attrition. Faced with dire circumstances, Washington hatches a risky plan to strike the British the day after Christmas.
December 25-26, 1776: On Christmas night, the Continental Army takes more than 10 hours to cross the Delaware River in a freezing cold snowstorm. Despite successfully crossing, many lack proper shoes to march hours to Trenton for the battle – leaving bloody footprints in the snow. General Washington surprises the British side the day after Christmas, winning the Battle of Trenton quickly.
“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 their country; but he that stands it 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.”
Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis,” reportedly read to soldiers that Christmas night. Washington’s victory not only shifted the early momentum of the war, but had a lasting impact on the fate of America, and the freedom we’re living in today.
Check out Jenna’s interview about the surprise attack with historian Clay Craighead:
Read More:
A Christmas Surprise! (U.S. Army)
Crossing of the Delaware (Mount Vernon)
General George Washington and the Crossing of the Delaware (America 250)
by Jalen Meyerpeter, Based in Arizona.
