American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-04-26
From the Boston Spectator.
THE BATTLE OF TRENTON.

d
able to the truth oil history and relate 10 one of the
most momentous events in our country's history:
An event that raised the dropping confidence and
courage OF those who fought and prayed for our
cause, which had before assumed appearance al
most desperate.
"The night was intensely cold, and we were de-
ayed many hours longer than had been anticipated
| by an accumulation OF ice in the river And here,
Ut you would get good notion OF The countenance
| OF Washington at this ime-the most eventful and
trying moment of his life-I would recommend
that you study picture just painted by Mr.. Suy,
of Philadelphia, upon this subject. He has been
Islngularly happy-and when recolect the face OF
Washington. he refined up for half an hour with
in pistol shot of me- it appears to me that some man
must have painted it. who was with us at that time
Before we came down to the ferry--here an
awful solemnity. darkness and repose it. But
there, when in sight OF the troops, as they were
vcrally embarking. every man Of whom, long as
the face OF their commander could be seen, even az
ter the boats had put off, kept his eyes upon il it
was full of loftier, more animated, youthful and
heroic expression, OF encouragement and confidence.
| "You have heard OF General Knox, then Colonel
land OF his stentoran voice | assure you that no
justice can be done to him or it ; my ears rung for
La fortnight alter, at the same hour OF the night
and do yet, when remember how he galloped
about, cursing and swearing dismounting every FIVE
minutes, and lifting at his artillery like giant.
HE was gallant fellow-full of blood-with all
the blunt, strong New England hardihood. And
tGreene, too-he was there-the only man of all our
armies capable, believe, in of any Disaster to-
take the place of Washington there he sat, full of
ldeep, religious comprehensive broad forehead
lfronting the fires that klndrd near The place
lot debarkaton.
"At last though not until three O'Clock in the
morning, we were fairly landed upon the Jersey
shore. and. by S, had taken up our line of march.
/ "Our whole army passed softly, and silently, by
Two or three officers posted upon the road side,
ltinuay waving their swords, with a motion as if to
Ienjon the most deathlike stiffness and deahke it
Twas, for nothing could be heard, but the blowing of
Horses Iotng sound now and then in the wet snow
where the artillery Wagons and carriages cut
Through into the ground-and general rush, as
ldeep, heavy water.
ga few moments after, troop CT Virginans, un
der Captain Washington, afterwards SO distinguish
led at the south) paraded in beautiful style, through
the heavy snow, and brought US intelligence which
TENDED to accelerate our march Before his arrival
1--we had hoped las l afterwards found) to surprise
the enemy at Trenton. while yet overpowe,ed by The
festivities of the preceding highland make his
morning sleep the sleep of death-but now thai
Ihope was abandoned, for Captain Washington had
encountered his picket, exchanged few shot, and
Ilet him prepared for what it is remakab that he
Yet this very affair, which. at first threatened to be
so disastrous, the froc of Captain Washington, was
probably the chief reason why we succeeded in sur
Uprising the enemy at last; for as that was not fol
flowed up he retired to quarters, after waiting rea
lsonable time, afterwards found, thinking the
whole Virginia roW
"Our troops were now thrown into two divisions
We were separated from our father--who was de-
etached under Sullivan and St. Clair to take the ry
h err road,-while we, under Washington himself
Greene Morris and Stevens pushed onward through
\, what is called the Pennington road.
ri ga few moments after wards-lust while tho'
lmy heart had lost its motion entirely for felt, in
looking about me, and seeing the dark array OF sub
stanal, but noiseless creatures horses and wagons
las if the whole army were an apparltlon--a ca
lvalcade of dead men- marching from one place o
burial to another al heard shot, me tina
my horse leaped out of the rank. This was follow
ed by loud cry--two or three words-a voiley-
and then, shot after shot, if a line OF sentines
sleeping upon their post, had suddenly started up
one after the other, fred of their pieces and run IN
"Our advance were well furnished with bayonet
land they Immediately charged upon the pickle.
land we dashed after them tramplng them to death
with our horses, riding over them like whirlwnd
without speaking a word or firing shot, This wa
lscarccy done When we heard The firing of the othe
Idivision at the opposite quarter-so admirably timet
thad been the arrangement-and we lmmedialel.
galloped into the centre of the town, foot and foot
determined to ride the enemy down, bayonet them
before they had time to form. Washington wa
ldreadfully exposed. The FIRST picket thinking thi
Ia second attack of the same little skirmishing party
THAT had 6red into them before, neglected to give tn
alarm land the ouposts, though they fought mos
Igallany, rereatlng step by step, behind the houses
Idispupg every inch, and presenting their bligh
lbayonets, without a flash Of powder, wherever "
rode in upon them-so that we could not, with al
Jour cutting and squirting, force our horses upo
lthem-and then the moment that we bad face
about, blazing away upon us, and running TO tn
Inext house-were driven in.