Where Washington landed early Christmas morning, 1776

[stuny]

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George Washington's back was against the wall.  He had lost all but his first battle, most of his remaining army was days away from their enlistment ending, and the Hession troops commanded by the British were encamped a few miles away, probably ready to pursue the rest of Washington's army to Philadelphia, and take the colonial capitol.  In a bold move he brought 2400 rag tag troops east across the Delaware, along with 50 to 100 horses and 30 pieces of artillery, all during a fierce snow storm.  He arrived at the encampment just before dawn.  He took the enemy by surprise.  A few days later he won a second battle of Trenton, raising morale, enlistments and money.  A true turning point in the war.

 

This is a window in the ferry house on the eastern bank of the Delaware, in New jersey where Washington landed.  I'm sure they've replaced the flowers 240 years later.

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[Michael Hiles]

Lovely. 

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[stuny]

Michael -

 

Thank you.

[tobey bilek]

If you study history , Washington was a poor general until he learned on the job.   BTW, he was way late crossing the Delaware and night surprise  was almost lost,   and a substantial portion of the troops were way off course and never made it.

 

The free world is going to have to lean to fight a non conventional army , something we never learned to do in Viet Nam and we lost.   A rebel army with non conventional tatics can be quite strong. 

 

We can also thank the French for their aid who closed off the sea escape route for the Brits at Battle of Yorktown.  That was essentially the end of the war.

 

 

And great picture you posted.

[stuny]

Tobey -

 

Thank you, and quite correct on all counts.  Washington learned the European manner of warfare serving with the Briish in the French & Indian war, and before the two battles of Trenton he used those tactics, which were devastating to his troops against the better equipped, experienced, and trained larger enemy forces.  His desperate move, using unconventional (Non-Euro style) tactics were of critical importance, and he probably wouldn't have tried it if it wasn't his last chance.  As they began moving troops, horses and artillery via barge, ferry and Durham boats a freezing rain began, quickly changing to a full blizzard, greatly slowing the crossing, as well as the nine-mile march to Trenton.  Washington's original plan was to arrive at 4:00, but he was quite delayed.  However, the bad weather convinced the British commander of the Hessian forces not to have patrols out that night, which was a reasonable action when you realize that war generally stopped in the dead of winter.

 

Other troops were supposed to join from several miles further down river, but they couldn't do so, though I forget why.

 

Just days later, for the second battle of Trenton, with the river at the Continental Army's back, the British commander thought he'd win the next morning and stopped fighting for the night.  Washington took most of his forces around the south of the British lines, leaving a small contingent behind to make as much noise as possible entrenching, and keeping camp fires going.  Washington attacked from two flanks the next morning and won.

 

But there was still one more surprise for the British. Before all this Washington ordered every boat anywhere nearby to be taken to the western shore as he retreated to Philadelphia.  The British were unable to follow.

[war]

What more could we ask for, a very nice image and a very good history refresher. Thanks for posting Stuart.

[Michael Hiles]

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Stuart, For non-Americans... Is this the destination of the famous picture of Washington (standing up in a small boat) Crossing The Delaware?

[stuny]

Steve & Wallace - Thank you.

 

Michael - Yes, though the painting has many inacuracies in the interest of composition and drama, such as the ice should be flat pieces rather than small bergs.

[Iduna]

Stuart,

 

very intimate picture and the historic background knowledge is quite informative. Thank you for the thread!

[stuny]

Iduna -

 

Thank you.