The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-06-10

! incvit1hro end. Tho army was crumb-
ling. only civil authority pretended to
maintain any central organization.
The enemy delayed to finish his task
only because he was 30 certain OF MS
quarry that haste would be unseemly.
The Crossing of tho Delaware.
And then the flash of WASHINGTON
defiance. The crossing Of the Deln
ware in storm and ice floes; the march,
and the delays which made 1t lmpos-
sible TO effect a night attack ana
complete surpr!se--Washington stern
and fatetul decision TO press on anu
stake everything on the Issue fina!4y'
the attack. and the victory.
brilliant as was the accomplish
ment, washington on the Jersey SIDE
was faced presently by the superior
strength of the now consolidate Brlt-
ish forces. At last his rival was sure
OF the old fox" Then came the
strategic withdrawal by Washington
at night IN secret. from his line on the
Assunpink creek. the thanking march 10
Princeton. and the second surprise ana
defeat Of the enemy. In the narrative
Of those magnificent winter days OF
marching and fighting, surprises and
victories. one finds the truest presenta-
ton Of the indomitable spirit which
sustained. and, at last, won the revolu-
ton.
A Vital Question 70 Britain.
"It IS not often that the precise i'm
portance and significance Of a parucu-
lar military detail can be so accurately
appraised. as It can regarding the mid
winter campaign Of Trenton-Princeton
The PRONUNCIATION of the declaration Of
Independence has moved the British
authorities to especially determined
efforts for quick suppression OF the
revolution. To them It was vitality I'M
portant the fires of revolt he smothered
before the new nationality had risen to
mako the colonIsts realize the substan-
tiaI union Of their cause and interests.
Tho strategy Of the British invasion
Of New Jersey has been bitterly criti-
cizcd many times. but It mush always
be remembered that there Is an intimate
relationship betteen political conditions
and military operations. and that In
this case the political situation was
certain to depend very greatly on mill
tary Developments. The destructio
Of Washingtons army would almost
have suffered out the revolution.
washington Forssaw Opportunities.
ut would hav. given demonstration
or the over "HtIIiIiS p'''NSi ANY, -
the British power which even the most
stout-hearted patriot would have found
dif.Icult to deny. On the other hand.
Washington perceived both the military
ard tho political opportunity presented
him IN tho disposition OF the enemy
forces There was n desperate chance
10 win telling victory which would
convert the New Jersey campaign into
q disaster for the enemy; and there was
also the possibility OF winning politi-
cal victory by demonstrating the
capacity Of American leadership. and
American soldiers to outwit and out
night veterans or Europeans battlefelds.
"WashIngton recognized ali these posi-
bzilIties He seized the opportunity. he
turned II completely TO mia OWN adv2n.
;age and thereby inspired his army and
M, country behind him with n'w con
n3"",C n themselves. Yea" afi"rward:
Lord rornwallis and III" momhers of
his staff were given a dinner hy Cen
cral Washington. followin. ~" SUI
render ut Yorktown. Th" commitments
Of The occasion ware cHrha"rod in 4
manner SO sracinu. and am:i2n'' TIA; as
we road Of i rnw. II - difficult to