Timothy Birdnow

America owes her existence in no small part to a Christmas miracle.

The Continental Army was about finished.

After a series of defeats at the hands of the British, Washington's men spent the early days of December in 1776 in an utterly miserable time in winter's quarters. Hungry, sick, half naked, the men had but one hope - most of them would be dismissed on New Years Day after finishing their term.

General Washington was desperate, and he had but one chance.

So he decided to attack.

There was an encampment of Hessians across the Delaware river in New Jersey, and Washington decided to launch a surprise attack on Christmas Day.

Washington's battle plan was to cross the half-frozen river by boats at three separate places. But the weather was inclement and only one of the three groups made it across.

Because spies and informants had likely informed the British, Trenton was expected to be on alert and well guarded.

But to Washington's good fortune the weather was lousy; it threw off his timetable. Hessian scouts found no evidence of any American troops when they checked. Had Washington been on time the word would have come to the enemy.

Also, a band of Patriots not associated with the Continental Army made a rather pointless attack early in the day and had been easily repelled. The Hessians believed this was the attack they had been warned may come.

After making the perilous crossing of the Delaware river, Washington's men began marching in the driving snow. The wind was ferocious and it helped hide the movements of Washington's 2400 men. Many of them were barefoot and they left a crimson trail in their wake, feet bleeding as they marched.

Meanwhile in Trenton the Hessians were enjoying their Christmas. As there was little chance of an American attack the commander of the German mercenaries gave them the day off, and much feasting and drinking and general merriment ensued. Warm by the fires, they were caught completely by surprise  when the Continental Army moved silently into town and the battle ensued.

It was a route.

This was the first great victory of Washington in the war since his first encounter at Second Bunker Hill. And, having defeated the German mercenaries, he then turned towards Princeton to win over the British forces there.

While this did not turn the tide of war, it kept the American cause alive at a critical moment.

Had this gone the way logic would have dictated, the Armerican Revolution would have ended that winter. But Providence gave us a great Christmas gift, one that would eventually lead to our independence.

Almost all of the men re-enlisted, and the Continental Congress appropriated more funds, excited by the great news of the victories.

This Christmas miracle led Washington to state:

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at 09:44 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 579 words, total size 4 kb.