Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-12-26
Americas Most Memorable Christmas,

ington and his army crossed the Della
ware four times during that same month,
but it was the crossing on Christmas
night that made vivid history. The pic
ture of washington Crossing the Della
ware" framed as colored chrome or
black and white print, has been familiar
to two generations of Americans. 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 original
oil painting may be seen today?
Driven from Long Island and New
York across 'the Jerseys" Washington's
defeated and discouraged army was pur-
sued closely by the British under Corn
wallis. Washington reached Trenton
Dec. 2 and began preparations for cross
ing over into Pennsylvania. Collecting
all the boats he could find. he sent his
army across the river on the night OF the
7th, following with The rear guard the
next morning, just as CORVALLIS, as the
historian Losing puts it, "camc down,
with great pomp and parade, TO The op-
poSite shore"
CORVALLIS expected TO lind 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 destroyed all the
boats which he could not hide on the
Pennsylvania shore for his own future
use. The British general therefore de-
cided to wait until the river froze, so that
he could cross on the ice. Mild weather
prevailed for a fortnight. In the mean
time Washington had placed strong
guards at several fords and ferries up and
down the river, the enemy also posting
detachments at important points on the
New Jersey side. Washington, with
portion of his army, was encamped at
Newtown, little northeast of Bristol,
Pa. The British garrison at Trenton con-
sisted of about 500 Hessians and some
British light horse under command OF
Colonel Rail, gallant Hessian officer.
The capture OF Philadelphia seemed so
imminent that by advice of General Put
nam, in command there, the Continental
Congress retired to Baltimore. The sit
uation 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 re-
main in the field. Many citizens who
had espoused the patriot cause became
discouraged and went over to the enemy.
Cornwallis was so pop sure that the
"rebels" were on their last legs and the
war practically over that he went TO New
York with the intention to sail for Eng
land on leave of absence.
Washington felt that some decisive blow
must be struck. The British must be
shown that the Americans still had fight
in them. Timid citizens IN their homes
must be encouraged by demonstration
OF patriotic valor and military prowess.
Accordingly Washington planned attacks
at several points along the river, but he
could not induce some of his subordinate
commanders TO cooperate with him.
They could not cross the river, they said.
But Washington could and did. He pro-
posed to give the Hessians at Trenton
Christmas aftermath in the way OF day
light surprise the morning after Christ
mas, knowing that the jolly Germans
would be more or less demoraliZed by
their bibulous manner OF celebrating the
anniversary.
Washington's troops at Newtown were
chiefly New Englanders. He had about
2, 400 men and twenty pieces of artillery.
The weather had turned much colder to-
ward Christmas, and on the afternoon of
that day chill storm OF snow and sleet
began, lasting through the night. Wash
ington's troops marched to McConkey's
ferry in the snowstorm. McConkey's
was riverside inn on the New Jersey
bank OF the Delaware about nine miles
above Trenton. The boats previously
hidden by the Americans were collected
at this point, opposite McConkey's house,
and at dusk the soldiers began crossing.
Everybody knows, OF course, that the
river was full OF floating ice" but Colo
mel Glover and his fishermen soldiers
from Marblehead did not mindth They
knew how to guide boats amid Cakes OF
ice. These Massachusetts fishermen
were placed in charge of the boats.
The plan of Washington was TO reach
Trenton BY O'Clock in The morning and
catch the Hessians sleeping OF their
Christmas poiaIions. He counted upon
getting the whole army across by mid
night. Owing TO the delay caused by the
ice and the storm il was o'clock in the
morning when the last boat load of pa
tdots reached the Jersey shore. BY A
O'Clock the force was formed ready for the
march upon Trenton. Colonel Henry
Knox had brought over his cannon on the
frail fIaiboats, with horses to pull the
pieces along the road.
General Washington crossed the river
a little before midnight. The inmates of
McConkey's house were astir practically
all night, brewing big forums of hot and