The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-21

Christmas night 1909, marks the enc
hundred and twenty .sixth anniversary OF
washngtcn's crossing the Delaware and
Of his subsequent victory over the Hesslans
noidIg Trenton.
Rollicking Germans and loyal Britons
held Trenton and made merry on that nrst
Christmas day, while the continental sol.
diers, IN their tsttered uniforms, suffered
oh the opposite shore from Geld and hun
ger The attack upon the village was
planned on Christmas Eve, although for
some time previous the leader Of the CONT
Mental troops had been busy with charts
and maps tending to this end
General Washington, on the evening OF
the path, rode over to the headquarters of
Major General Greene. and there the anal
council Of war was held. The scheme was
to cross over IN three different places-one
division, under Cadwalader, to attnck Bor
dentown; a second 10 cross Trenton ferry
and II possible close all avenues Of es-
cape for Rahls troops and the third d.
vision, under General Washington, TO make
direct attack upon the garrison at Treu-
ton.
The night Of Christmas was chosen for
the crossing OF the Delaware river with
very good reason. All were familiar with
the much honored observance by the Ger
mans and relied greatly on the expectation
that too free use Of lntoxicants might 10
some extent disable the effective force Of
tire enemy and make the watch dull
The Delaware river was full OF floating
cakes OF ice, The current was swift aud
dangerous and the weather cherries ami
cold, Jagged ice hemmed the boats In on
both sides and greatly npeded their prog
fess. A severe storm Of mingled snow and
hail Blown about by stir uortheaster set
In, jrenching the soldiers aud chilling them
to the bone.
1t was only with the greatest care and
labor that the horses and artillery could DO
ferried. Had not Colonel John Glover
regiment Of seafaring men from Marble
head, Mass, lent skilful assistance the eX-
petition no doubt, wout have failed.
Soon after stephens brigade Aad reached
the left bank OF the river and had for uef
chain OF stntres around the landing
place, Washington with h.G licuteuluts.
crossed to the New Jersey shore,
1t was expected that before midnight tuc
force would be over the river-uot 1000 fee,
wide at the crossins-aut for nine weary
hours they struggled resolutely vlJh toe
floating Ice cakes 4ul IL was O'Clock De-
fore the last man reached The other shore
Then commenced the weary tramp IN tle
cold aud sleet. Instructions had been given
TO the men to march quietly. keep sood
order and bear in mind the password. we
tory or Dcathr
1t was a cold aud cherries morning In,
slippery condition OF the road retarded
progress very much, and The want Of prope
clothing made the condition Of the men PIT
liable indeed
Moving silently past the quiet farm
houses and through forests Of hickory onl
Heck oak ou the river road, they came t,
Birmingham, four miles from the sndln,
place. There. without dismounung fton
bis sorrcI horse, General Washington
stopped Tor moment and partoob ot tu
hospitality q Benjamin Moore, while t1
eolumn halted Tor a hasty meal. when tn
order 10 march was given large humble
Of the soldiers were found asleep by ia
tosdslde, and it was with difficulty tina
they were reused