New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-25
wAsHJNGTONs BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN.

from tho surrounding country.
WAsHINGTONS BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN.
CHRISTMAS NINETY-NISE YEARS AGO IN NEw-JEHsEY
THE TrRNING-PoINT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR
INDEPENDENCE.
IL is hardly evaporation to say that the Driei
but brilliant can paign of Washington, ninety
wears ago this week. in New-Jersey, saved the Amer
lean army from dissolution and the cause OF the col
onies from temporary abandonment The more one
considers their rapid and mastery movements, the
more strongly are we assured of that military genius
which has sometimes been denied to Washington.
II is not too much to say that they remind us OF the
dexterity with which Frederick the Great and Ma
poleon by sheer force of ability, often turned de
feat INTO victory Washington had retreaed INTO
Pennsylvania almost without army, but had
still contrived to avoid his pursuers. Yet moth
ing could DO more dsheartening than his con-
diton II was not merely that in mdwinter his few
remaining troops were without food or clothing,
while the naked feet of his shyerpg soldiers marked
the snow over which they marched with their blood.
1t was the want of support from his associates
which must have been the hardest for Washington
TO bear Gates was intriguing against him with the
Congress Lee had refused to move to his assist
ance. Reed at least strongly suspected of nego-
tiating with the enemy for a pardon. Meanwhile,
with an army dwinded to about 1000 men, III
cluding raw recruits, no had to rescue New-Jersey
from the ravages of disciplined army and to save
Philadelphia from hostile occupation. This was the
problem. How far he solved it, and revived the
dropping spirits of his countrymen, Is matter oil
history.
On the 25th of December 1916. the American
forces occupied the west bank of the Delaware, at
McKenkey's Ferry Uaylorsville). about eight miles
Il. ninli a -
vile. and there were detachments further mp the
river. There was "A body of Pennsylvania troops at
Bristol under Cadwallader, and another at Norris
Vile under Ewing. Howe was with his army Occu-
pying Mount Holly Black Horse, Burlington, and
}ordentown; and at Trenton he had stationed three
regiments Of Ues,an mcrcenaies about 900 men,
with squadron of British light horse. There were
divisions of the British army also at Princeton ana
New-Brunswick. 1t had been part of the plan Of
Washington that Gen. Ewing should cooperate
with him by crossing the river at or below
Trenton, taking possession Of the bridge over
the Assunpnk, but in consequence of the zee 1t
was found impossible to get over the artillery. On
the evening of the 25th Of December. Washington
paraded his immediate command at Mchenkey ;
Ferry. He had expected to be able TO throw them
all over by ~ O'clock intending to arrive at Trenton
by A. M. the distance being only about nine miles
/
boats so much that it was 3 o'clock before the art-
lery could all be transported, and the little army
did not take up its line of march until about
o'clock Washington had been greatly helped in the
management OF the boats by the hardy sea-hred
volunteers from Massachusetts, the men of Marble
head, under the command of Col Glover. For ten
hours on that stormy night the work had gone on,
the toilerg chez red in their scouragng task by the
resonant voice of Knox. Great credit Is due to those
hardy fishermen. for without their assistance the
brilliant exploit of the next day would have been
impossible.
Washington had formed his detachment into two
divisions One of them 10 take the lower or
River the other the upper or Pennington road.
There were about 900 men and 20 brass field
pieces The respective divisions were under the
command Of Cen Sullivan and Gen. Greene. Those
having nearly the same distance to march, Wash
ington ordered them upon facing the OutgUards, to
push directly into the town. so that they might
charge before the enemy had time to form. There
is an interesting story told of the Cen
oral. that while HIS troops were crossing
and lust before they about to march, Washing
ton sat in silence on a beehive Wral ped IN his
cloak" and his words 10 his soldiers then were, " /
hope you viii fight like men," Al Birmingham 1t Is
still remembered that he halted AT the house Of one
BENJAMIN Moore ate piece of mince-pe ana
drank glass of cider" just the rising tie
tents of tine Hcs,ians appeared in sight when Che
great man, rising in his stirlups waved his sword
and exclaimed, There, my brave friends, are the
enemies of your country and now, all have to ask
is to remember what you are about to tight for
March ~
The uppor division of the American troops en-
countered the enemy's advanced post crdctiy at
o'clock, az Washington is careful to mention in his
letter to Congress. Three minutes after he knew
from the fire on the lower road that the other dlyi
sion had engaged. The Hcssian outposts were driven
in The Grst idea of Col Rail, in his confusion and
alarm, was TO run away with his Hessians down the
Princeton road. Bat he was already hard pressed
10y the Americans, who had got possession OF part
Of his artillery; and Washington interpOsed body
of troops which checked retreat Rail was in fact
almost Immediately surrounded and had no resource
but surrender. lie was himself wounded mortally.
Washington in his report to Congress SAYS that
" the enemy never made any regular stand" Capt
(aiterward Coll Washington. who was always dis
tnguishng himself in various extraordinary ways
found that a company of IIessians had occupied
stone house which they defended with a feld-plece
iudicousy posted in the entry. Disdaining ordinary
fighting, the Colonel rushed into the house, seized
the officer who had command of the gum and, his
men following made the whole company prisoners
This Col William Washington seems to have been a
man of remarkable gallantry. He wounded
during the morning Both American divisions
pushed forward, keeping up running fire with
small arms. At time, i'll Safest, the enemy
made a momentary stand and there was some fight
ing, hut they glad to lay down their arms.
Sullvan's division seems to have co0perated with
great promptness and efficiency. Washington, at
the commencement of the engagement, was very
slightly wounded by musket bail in the sword
hand, which was raised. He merely said : What
has passed by"