La Junta tribune., 1907-12-21

tCppyright iDJ5. b. Rob-rtus Lowell
"IIE most memorable Christmas
In American history was that of
1T,G. the day ON which Wash.
ingtou crossed the Delaware.
As a matter Of fact. Washington and
his army crossed the Delaware fou:
times during that same month. but II
was the crossing on Christmas nigh,
that made vivid history. The picture
OF Washington Crossing the Della
ware framed as n colored chrome or
a black and white print. has been IA
mllisr to two generations OF Aiseri
cans but how many OF MS 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 the Jerseys" Washing
tons defeated and discouraged army
WAS pursued closely by the British un-
der CORVALLIS. Washington reached
Trenton Dec, . and began preparations
'tOrrIhS tNtE
Collecting NIL the boats he could find.
he sent his army across the river on
the night of the eth. following wrh
the rear guard the next morning. just
ns cQrnwalli2. n the historian LusSlng
puts It. came down. with great pomp
and parade. 10 the opposite shore
Cornwallis 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 The British general
therefore decided to walt until the riv-
~r froze. SO that he could cross on the
Ice. Mid wca ther prevailed for Il fort
night, In the meantime Washington
had placed strong guards a, several
fords aud ferries up and down the
river. the enemy also posting detach-
ments at important points on the New
Jersey side. Washington, with por-
tion o. his army, WAS encampcd at
Ncwtown. II little northeast OF Bristol.
Ia. The British garrison mt Trenton
some British light horse under com.
mand of Colonel Raj. a gallant He.>
sian officer.
The capture Of Philadelphia seemed
80 imminent that by advice OF General
Putnam, In command there. the Con
tlnentai congress retired to Baltimore.
The situation was highly critical The
time OF service for which most Of
W;ashingtoa'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 espeused the
patriot cause became discouraged and
went over to the enemy. Cornwallis
WAS so pop sure that the rebels wers
IN their last legs and the war prnc-
eicaily 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 he struck. The British must
bc shown that the Americans still had
fight In them. Timid citizens In their
homes must he encouraged by dem
onstration OF patriotic valor and milf
tary prowess. Accordingly Washing
ton planned attacks Mt several points
along the river. hut he could not In
duce some Of his subordinate CONF
manders to cooperate with him. They
could NOT cross the river. they said.
But washington could and did. He
proposed to 60 over and give the Hes
sIans at Trenton Christmas aftsr.
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