The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-30


Thomas Paine called the period about
1776 "the days that tried mems souls,
term which has since been stereotyped
in common parlance. He was then in
Philadelphia, and the American forces
were encamped on the west bank of the
Delaware, twenty miles above the city.
Washington, few weeks previously,
had about five thousand men, but this
number was now reduced one-half.
CHRISTMAS.
It was the darkest hour the country
had ever seen, but the American COM
mander determined to strike in the dark
Five days previously General Wilkinson
dined with him, and said, "he is always
grave and thoughtful, but now he ap-
peared pensive and solemn in the ex-
treme." His spirits, however, had
rallied under stern determination, and
as Paine truly remarked, "God had given
him mind that could flourish on care"
Three days provisions had been served
to the forces, and each man was excited
with the view of approaching action.
Sunset found the little band I'm all two
thousand four hundred mem on the
banks of the Delaware, with wintry
night settling over them.
Washington's plans weret thus unfolded
in letter to Cadwallader: Christmas,
one hour before day, is the time fixed
for our attack on Trenton, Our numbers
are less than l had any conception of;
nothing but dire necessity will justify the
attack" The commander had four stout
hearted subordinates-Gr Mercer,
Sullivan, and Lord Stirling The night
was intensely cold, the current was
strong and the river was full Of floating
ice.
A regiment of Marblehead fishermen
formed the advance, and three months
previously these men had led in crossing
the East river in the retreat from Long
Island. This march was Washington's
first attempt to attack the foe in the
open field, for during the past two years
he had acted entirely on the defensive.
He crossed the river early, and with his
vanguard waited until three o'clock
before the artillery twenty pieces in all)
was ferried over. An hour was lost in
marshalling the troops into two divisions,
so as to march by different roads.
One of these columns sunder Sullivan;
the other and most important is led by
the commander, who is accompanied by
Greene, Mercer and Lord Stirling. A
storm sets in and contrary wind faces
them with sleet and hail. Two men
perish with cold The storm units the
muskets for fire. "Use the bayonet," is
the commanders reply to the notice. At
8 o'clock the main column enters Trenton
having marched nine miles. Among the
advance is Lieutenant James Monroe,
who afterwards became President.
The alarm is given, and the cry of the
Hessian sentry is heard, "Der feind der
feind heraus herausp THE enemy !!
the enemy! turn outl turn outD The
artillery, commanded by Captain Forest,
is unlimbered, while the report of
, musketry tells that Sullivan's column is
athand. Both attacks are simultaneous.
Some of the Hessians rush forth in dis
order and vainly attempt to form, and
another party turn pair of field pieces
on the Americans,
Lieutenant Monroe, with the advance
charges and captures these before they
are fred, but the former gets a ball in the
shoulder. Colonel Rahl, the Hessian
commander, attempts to fight, but is
mortally wounded. Washington orders
his battery to open with grape and
canister, but Captain Forest exclaims,
'They have struckp The commander
receives the sword of the Hessian chef,
and having done this he grasped Major
Wilkinson by the hand, and exclaimed,
"this is glorious day for our country"
Thirty-two officers and nearly one
thousand soldiers, with their equipments,
are the result of the affair. Washington
retreated with his prisoners across the
Delaware, but before doing so he visited
Colonel Rahl on his death bed. The
commander invited some of the Hessian
officers to dine with him, after which
they were marched for qnarters to Win
chester, Va, and we're treated with great
kindness. Most of them remained in
the country, and became excellent citi-
zens.
GETTING READY FOR NEW YEAR.
Such merry Christmas might be ex-
pected to herald a happy New Year.
Having disposed of his prisoners, Wash
ington determined to pursue his advant-
age, and hence recrossed the Delaware
on the Doth, this being the third passage
of that river within a week. The SOL
diers were greatly exhausted, and the
close of the year, which was but two
days distant would terminate many en-
listments. By an offer of ten dollars
bounty, and much entreaty, six weeks
OF additional service we're promised.
To obtain the necessary funds Wash
ington wrote to the patriotic banker,
Robert Morris, of Philadelphl, for one
hundred, or, if possible, one hundred
and fifty pounds. The emessenger reached
Morris by evening of the same day, but
the latter had no funds He called on a
wealthy Quaker, and urged the loan,
which was granted, The next morning
the messenger returned with the money.
and the same day Washington received
notice that Congress had made him die
tator. A dictator, with hundred pounds
and q ragged army Of two thousand
starving menl
The British were now in force at