Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-17
Historical Christmas Days in America.

chief of the continental army started out
with about 24OO men and six pieces of
artillery, intending to cross the Delaware
nine miles be.ow Trenton, while other
forces were to cross at Othe.' points. With
the river partially blocked with floating
ice the difficulties of crossing were very
great. and the trip was perilouS that
it was not until 1 O'Clock Christmas mo IL
ing that the troops landed. A binding
snoWstorm driving into the faces of the
haf-frozen men could not conquer the
wills of the little army that trudged on,
leaving it's bloody footprints in the snfw.
AS the light of day began to flood
through the word that dreary Christmas
morning, even Washington feared that
he was arriving too late to surprise the
enemy. His marching was made even
slower on account of the slippery roads,
SO that it was O'Clock when he and his
men reached Trenton. But that was not
late for Christmas morning, for the Hes
slams We're still, asleep after a night Oh
Christmas eve festivities.
A real surprise greeted the redcoats and
their commander, Col. Rail-, that Christ
mas day. In the battle which followed
91S British Wee taken prisoners, all OF
their artillery was seized and twenty or
thirty of the soldiers who had been with
them were slain. Even Col. Rail- WHO
surrendered to George Washington, was
mortally wounded. His pewildered con-
dition had caused him to give wild Or
ders, and his brave veterans in their sur
u Use Itau iSu IKE raw recruits
Such an overwhelming defeat for the
British meant a signal victory for the
Americans. That Christmas was one of
the @laddest in our nations early his
tory. When Gen. Washington entered
Phila' elphia with his prisoners it was in
triumph. The news of this brilliant Amer
lean victory brought about wonderful
change in our national affairs. The con-
unental army took new heart. Several
regiments which were soon TO pass out
PEjCfpnra thajr n
llstment were about to expire volunteered
to serve six weeks longer. Washinston's
victory; occurring just at the time when
the American army was about to be-
come dissolved, gained the general great
distinction, not only at home, but in
Europe 1t proved to be the turning
point of the whole war.
Lord CORVALLIS, who was about to sail
for England, was called back to his
troops. The British could spare none of
their strength. Before long the colonists
were encouraged by help from France.
Gradually foreign trade opened with
spain and Holland and the Stars and
Stripes We're floated over this maritime
service. All looked hopeful for our peo-
pie. Tor the Christmas victory at Trenton
had turned the tide and the ship of
American liberty was soon to be launched.
CHRISTMAS day, 1873. must have been
~ the merriest one ever celebrated at
Mount Vernon. The busy servants had
made such preparations as they had
never made before. because they rather
expected that Master Washington was
coming home. He would really be home
again to stay for the first time in eight
years. Such a Christmas dinner! Such
Christmas dinner as would have taxed
a Roman epicurean was no doubt laid
on that festal day. If Martha Washing
ton was overjoyed at having her dis
tinguished husband home again, how de-
lighted must Gen. Washington been to
get back to Mount Vernon. How elegant
the h.llsa must have seamaA with its