Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-14

NNfE most memorable Christmas
in American history was that of
III 17I6, the day OH which Wash
ington crossed the Delaware.
AS matter of fact, Washington and
mis- army crossed the Delaware four
times during that same month. but 1t
was the crossing on Christmas night
that made vivid history. The picture
of Washington Crossing the Della
ware" framed as a colOred chrome or
a black and white print, has been IA
miliar TO two generations of Ameri-
cans. But how many of us know just
why, how and where Washington
crossed the Delaware, what bearing
that movement had upon the destiny
of America, who painted the famous
picture from which the familiar
chromos are made and where the origi-
nal oil painting may be seen today?
Driven from Long Island and New
York across 1.-The Jerseys" Washing
tons DETECTED and discouraged army
was pursued closely by the British I'M
der CORVALLIS. Washington reached
Trenton Dec. and began preparations
for crossing over into Pennsylvania.
Collecting all the boats he could find.
he sent his army across the river on
the night of the 18th. following With
the rear guard the next morning. just
as CORVALLIS. as the historian Losing
puts 1t, "came down, with great pomp
and parade. to the opposite shore
CORVALLIS expected TO find boats and
cross the river. capture Philadelphia,
the capital of the struggling colonies,
end end the rebellion in short order.
But the willy Washington had destroy
I'd all the boats which he could not
hide on the Pennsylvania shore for his
own future use The British general
therefore decided to wait until the riv-
er froze, SO that he could cross on the
Ice. Mild weather prevailed for Il fort
night. In the meantime Washington
had placed strong guards at several
fordS and ferries up and down the
river. the enemy also posting detach-
ments at important points on the New
Jersey side. Washington. with a por-
ton of his army was encamped at
Newtown, little northeast of Bristol,
Pa. The British garrison at Trenton
consisted of about 1900 Hessians and
some British light horse under COM
mand Of Colonel Rail gallant Hes
sian officer.
The capture of Philadelphia seemed
so imminent that by advice of General
Putnam. in command there. the Con
tinental congress retired to Baltimore
The situation was highly critical. The
time of service for which most of
Washington's men had enlisted would
expire within ten days. and unless
money could be had for their payment
few of them would remain in the field.
Many citizens who had espoused the
patriot cause became discouraged and
went over to the enemy. CORVALLIS
was so pop sure that the rebels were
on their last legs and the war prac-
t'Ca;iy over that he went to New York
with the intention to sail for England
on leave of absence
Washington felt that some decisive
blow must be struck The British must
he shown that the Americans still had
light in them. Timid citizens in their
homes must be encouraged by dem
onstration of patriotic valOr and mill
tary prowess. Accordingly Washing
tor planned attacks at several points
along the river, but he could not in
duce some of his subordinate com
manders to cooperate with him. They
could not cross the river. they said.
But Washington could and did He
proposed to go over and give the Hes
slams at Trenton a Christmas after