Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-27
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was pursued closely by the British un
der Corvallis. Washington reached
Trenton Dec. aud began preparations
for crossing over Into Pennsylvania
Collecting all the boats he could find
he sent his army across the river OH
the night OF the 9TH. following with
the rear guard the next morning. just
rs CORVALLIS. rs the historian Tossing
outs 1t, "camc down. with great pomr
and parade. TO the opposite shore"
CORVALLIS expected to find boats and
cross the river. capture Philadelphia,
the capital of the struggling colonies,
and end the rebellion In short order
But the willy Washington had destroy,
ed all the boats which he could not
hide on the Pennsylvania shore for his
own future use. Tho British general
therefore decided 10 wait until the rlv.
err froze, so That he could cross on the
Ice. Mild weather prevailed for Il fort
night In the meantime Washington
had placed strong guards ut several
fords and ferries mp and down the
river the enemy also posting detnch-
ments Mt important points on the New
Jersey side. Washington. with por-
tlon of his army, was encamped Mt
Newtown. n little northeast of Bristol,
Pa. The British garrison at Trenton
consisted of about 1900 Hesslans md
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-
tlnentnl congress retired to Baltimore.
The situation was highly critical The
time of service for which most of
/ Wnshlngton'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-
tlcnlly 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 hc struck. The British must
be shown that the Americans still had
fight In them. Timid citizens in their
homes must be encouraged by dem
Dnstrntion of patriotic valor and mill
tary prowess. Accordingly Washing
ton planned attacks Mt several points
along the river, but he could not in
duce some of his subordinate com-
mandcrs 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 ut Trenton Christmas after
math in the way OF daylight surprise
the morning after Christmas, knowing
that the jolly Germans would be more
or less demoralized by their blbulous
manner OF celebrating the anniversary
Washington's troops at Newtowr
were chiefly New Englandcrs. He had
about 2,400 men and twenty pieces OF
artillery. The weather had turned
much colder toward Christmas, aud OIL
the afternoon of that day chill storm
of snow and sleet began, lasting
through the night. Wnshlngton's troops
marched to McConkcy's ferry In tho
snowstorm. McConkey's was n river
side inn OH the New Jersey bank oil
the Delaware about nine miles saboyC
| Trenton The boats previously bidder
by the Americans were collected at this