The St. Louis Republic., 1901-12-22

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Christmas Day in the city of Trenton. y.
= j., should be memorable one this year.
for 1901 marks the one hundred and twenty
NTH anniversary of Washington's crossing
the Delaware and of his subsequent victory
over the Hessians holding Trenton. Decem-
Der 25 falls on the same day of the week
this year It did then. SO the date is
in every sense an anniversary.
Rollicking Germans and loyal Britons held
the town and made merry on that first
Christmas Day, while the Continental SOL
diers. In their tattered uniforms. suffered
on the opposite shore from cold and hunger
The attack upon the village was planned on
Christmas Eve. although for some time pre-
rious the leader of the Continental troops
had been busy with charts and maps tend
ing to this end.
General Washington on the evening Of
December "a rode over TO the headquarters
Of Major General Greene. and here the final
council Of war was held. The scheme was
TO cross over in three different places-one
division. Under Cadwalader. 10 attack
Bordentown; second to cross Trenton
ferry and II possible close all avenues of es-
cape Tor Rails troops, and the third divi-
sion, under General Washington, to make
direct attack upon the garrison at Trenton.
Holiday Chosen for Trip.
The night Of Christmas was chosen for
the crossing OF the Delaware River with
very 6OO0 reason. All were 1amll1ar Win
the much-hOnored observance by the Ger-
mans and relied greatly on the expectation
that a too free use of intoxicants might to
some extent disable the effective force Of
the enemy and make the watch dull.
The ccli had been intense ever since De-
Cember -. and the Delaware River was full
OF floating cakes of ice The current was
less ana cold. As soon as the evening shad-
Ows commenced to lengthen the troops
came down to the river. General Washing
watched the boats as they pushed on an,i
cheerily wished each vanishing craft full
Of bum coats merry Christmas. .,
Jagged ice hemmed the boats in on potn
sides and greatly impeded their progress. A
severe storm OF mingled snow and hail
blown about by stin northeaster set In.
drenching the soldiers and chilling them 10
the bone.
II was only with the greatest care and
,erried. Had not Colonel John Glover's reg
ircest OF seafarng men from Marblehead,
Mas.-. lent skillfui assistance the expedi-
battling With the Ice.
These sailors and fishermen. armed with
grrs, clad in blue round jackets and trous-
~vge then. as they had been in New York
/; rbor early on the morning OF August 30.
when the retreat was made from, Long Is
hand, the men on whom all relied TO see the
ar.ry safely landed
Soon after Stephens brigade had reached
the left bank of the river and had formed
Washington. with his Lieutenants. crossed
TO the New Jersey shore. All the officers
were at the outset gloomy, depressed by the
cold and storm. and seeing very little chance
of future glory. Seeing this, General Wash
ington broke through his customary reserve
and indulsed in little pieasantry at the
expense Of Colonel Knox. asking him what
part of the spoils he intended sending a |
Christmas present to certain maiden of |
strong British sentiments, for whom the |
gallant Colonel had shown marked admir-,
alton.
Thi. little piece of nonsense. coming as 1t
did when everything was tinGed with SOM
be: hue. scattered the gloom of the officers.
sending their thoughts flying TO their own
sweethearts and bringing visions Of a warm
welcome awaiting them when they returned
after the capture of Trenton.
II was expected that before midnight the
force would be over the river-not a thou
eand feet wide at the crossing-but for nine
weary hours they struggled resolutely with
the floating ice cakes. and 1t was o'clock |
before the last man reached the other shore. 4
Then commenced the weary tramp in the /
cold and sleet. Instructions had been given
to the men to march quietly. keep good \
order and bear In mind the password. VIC
tory or Death"
Roads I'm Bad Condition.
II was cold and cheerless morning. The |
slippery condition of the road retarded prog /
ress very much. and the want of proper |
clothing made the condition Of the men pitt L
able indeed.
Moving silently past the quiet farmhouses