Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-07
ODD TECInENTs IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
OUR MOST MEMORABLE CHRIST
 MAS


 The most memorable Christmas Day | in the history of our country was that 1 on which George Washington crossed 1 the Delaware in a boat, followed by 1 his small but resolute army, and cap i tured the British and Hessians at Trenton, in 1775 an important turning l point in the early period of the strug- 1 gle. It was important in the fact that the hearts of the colonists had been crushed at their vain efforts to stem the tide of British aggression, and it | was a fine Christmas gift to the nation when Washington not only checked the advance, but turned their publication in Trenton into a rout, which he foi- lowed closely, and which was the first successful resistance for the Ameri- can arms. The nation had reason to be wild with joy at Christmas gift Washing 1 ton presented to them for the most ardent supporters of the cause had 1 about given up all hope, and it was l only the iron will of the illustrious l commander in cheief that prevented the failure of the way to freedom. Visiting the vicinity today of the pretty country, with it's rolling slopes 1 its picturesque woods and it's peace l ful river, it is difficult to summon to l the mind that picture of Christmas Day 1 1776 when the ragged Continentais, bare feet tra cking blood marks in the ! snow, got orders to march on the ene- my. There were some ?. 400 men in the patriot force, and the start was made at 3, o'clock in the afternoon, every man carrying three days rations and forty pounds of ammunition. With them were eighteen field pieces.
 +l,o roo,, x,ooo1,
 ed the crossing of the Delaware River and met Glover's men, who were to row them across. After the boacs having Eee1 compelled to dodge ice, cached
 the eplnsite banks, the men fcrIred
 and prepared for their march upon
 Trenton
 The hardest job of the Chr :st mas
 fes1.Y--ty was getting the artillery ac- ; ross, bnt finally this was accomplish ed and the force was ready to wage bat
 tie, One American general found that his powder had became so wet hat his men had no ammunition. Then
 said Washington. your men will have
 tc fight with their hayone:s fur to- night we take the city Ut any cost
 Huddled in a hut and suffering from the snow and sleet, the Hession pick cts made but small opposition and when the patriot bugles finally aroused the sleeping soldiers in Trenton it was too late for them to make any stand The surprise had been complete ard l decisive and wherever the Hessians , turned they found themselves confront a ed by the troops of the victorious Con- , tinentals.
 This Christmas Day victory gave the
 nation a thrill of hope and joy, for i
 showed that the despised Continental.
 were more than a match for the Ger. 2 man merceneries. The eminent write : Fiske, thus graphically describes thu
 feelings at Christmastide in 1776: "A
 this awful moment the whole futur,
 of America. and of all that Americ; II meant to the world, rested upon tha = titanic will. All the lion in him Wa
 aroused, and his powerful nature wa!
 agiow with passionate resolve Hi keen eye saw the weakness in Howe I too careless disposition of his forces il j. the east side Of the Delaware, and h
 had planned for his antagonist sucI
 a Christmas greeting as he little ex V pected.'
 . Washington always afterwards af |. firmed that it was the happiest Christ
 mas of his life.
 (Tonorrow-Early American Christ
 mases1