Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-12-26
CROSSING DELAWARE
WAS Of GREAT IMPORT
Victory Later At Trenton
Marked Dramatic Turning Of
Fortune for Colonists.

Fortune for Colonists.
From the Kansas City Star.
The state Of New jersey is negotiat-
ing lust at present for the purchase
of q 1,OOO-acre farm six miles from
Trenton. The farm Is that on which
Washington and his men landed that
Christmas eve in 1776 after the men,
orable crossing OF the Delaware. TO
most of us who are past school age
.Washington crossing the Delaware"
brings up a picture of a man In
three-cornered hat standing in the bow
Of a boat and scanning with eagle
eye" the surrounding desolation Of wa
ter and floating cakes OF Ice. And
then we have vague recollection that
he licked the British. and there was
As sam. a matter tea.o Of fact, the victory
which followed the crossing Of the
Delaware was much more than the
winning OF an engagment. It was a
thrilling, dramatic event that stirred
mems imaginations, raised their spir
its and made it possible for the Revo-
luton to continue. And the far-see-
ing Washington realized in advance
all the dramatic possibilities and the
crying necessity for successful
"grandstand play"
DARK tor th0 Colonies.
The last weeks of 1916 We're gloomy
enough from an American standpoint
Washington and his army had been
driven out of New York; the ports on
the Hudson had been taken, and many
British officers OF Lord Howe's army
were already Boosting that the revolt
of the colonies was over. Some of
sent their trunks aboard ship confi-
dent that in a little while the order
would come to return to England.
Washington had retreated with his
army across New Jersey in December,
and the English troops, following
country. The town Of Trenton was
in the hands of a garrison of 1900 Hes
SLAMS, the hired German troops who
reused so mueA American hostility
Beyond the Delaware lay Washing
ton with shivering army of about
provisions none too plentiful. Worse
than that under the system of short
time enlistments which the continental
congress had instituted his army after
the new year would be reduced to
about 500 by the expiration of terms
adeiphla were already preparing to
leave their homes; everybody felt that
the Revolution was crushed. If ever
there was n time when q dramatic
victory was needed to inspire confi-
dence 1t was in December. 1776. SO
Washington resolved to fight.
It was bitter cold in December a
l776, and Christmas eve snow began
to drive. 1t was racing in clouds part
the soldiers when the crossing Of the
Delaware was begun about ii o'clock.
The river, all afloat with drifting ice,
With the current swift and ugly, VISA
no small obstacle itself In the coldne,s
and the dark. One needed to be en-
the lookout against the sWirling floee.
and 1t was not easy to look far In
the blackness and driving snow.
The Hessians Ignored a Warning.
But finally the soldiers got ,acro,s
and at o'clock in the morning the
march on Trenton was begun. BY that
time the snow had turned into sleet
bitterly than ever. The town Of Tren-
ton lay in darkness and inside their
barracks the German mercenaries were
snoring heavily; sleeping off the effects
Of Christmas eve debauch in which
they al had taken part. There had
and singing Of songs; even the sentries
had been called in, for on such night.
who would be likely to venture out?
Surely not the whipped and cowed
AmeScans VINO had been driven across
the ysate in such dismal retreat.
Somebody brought a MESSAGE of an
attack planned by Washington. but no.
body cared to heed his jests. and the
H He commander, Rail. laughed at
So it happened that when the foot
sore followers Of Washington crept
down the dark and silent streets in
the gray OF the morning, they found the
enemy totally unprepared. The Amer
lean forces We're in two divisions, one
under Greene, one under Sullivan. Be-
fore the sixmile journey to the town
was covered Sullivan had sent word
that the muskets of his men were use
!ess-tf1e powder was wet. And Wash
ington sent back word:
Tell your men to use the bayonet,
Tor the town must be taken.'
The bayonets were used. The Hes
slams, tumbled out Of bed and half
asleep, We're rolled back in confusion
before the fierce thrusting Of the Con-
tinentals; Rail-. rushing from his quar-
about, was shot and fell mortally
wounded. The stupefied Germans,
somewhat recovered from the first
shock Of their amazement. gathered in.
ragged formation and tried to retreat
along the Brunswick. There they were
t cut ,om py Hands rifiemen. In less
IMAM an hour It was all over About
2OO Hessians escaped: 30 were killed
and more than 900 gave themselves I'm
with all their arms, ammunition and
supplles. ~ was no small blow to the
brltish to lose 900 men at one stroke;
but the moral effect Of the stroke was
vastly greater. The ragged men Of
washington felt now that they were
the equals OF any fighters who might
pc sent again them. Many Of them,
who had planned to return home made
up their minds to re-enlist as soon as
tne1r terms OF service should expire.
Ihe 300 Hessians were marched nm
and down in triumphal procession
through the streets OF Philadelphia.
ana many men who had begun to con.
slider the advisability OF swearing AZ
iegiance to the king Of England wera
ioudest In their enthusiasm over fha
L Gontinentals. The tide had; turned to-
ward Washington. ss ~ 1.s'sA =,
DUEL ON LOFTY oiRDER.
Martin, Poised on 4 eirf,er an,
| leet above the valley below. two men
tsg{,a g aeesperate duel on the Martin
pAMY. After eIanfxinse hlss ,Sa..si.....