By Christmas night of 1776, General George Washington and his ragged army had experienced only defeat and despair. The War for Independence was going badly, with failure following failure.
In the preceding months, Washington’s campaign in New York had not gone well; the Battle of Long Island ended in a loss when the British troops managed to out-maneuver the Continental Army. A series of defeats settled around Washington as he was forced to retreat across New Jersey to Pennsylvania on December 7 and 8.
As the harsh Pennsylvania winter set in, the morale of the American troops was at an all-time low. The soldiers were forced to deal with a lack of both food and warm clothing, while Washington watched his army shrink due to desertions and expiring enlistments. Now, more than ever, a victory was desperately needed.
General Washington hatched a daring plan to cross the Delaware River under the cover of darkness, march to Trenton and attack the Hessian outposts in and around Trenton. The boats to be used for the crossing were gathered earlier in the month in compliance with Washington’s orders, primarily as a defensive measure. Various types of boats were collected; most notable were the large, heavy Durham boats used to carry pig iron down the Delaware.
Fully expecting to be supported by two divisions south of Trenton, Washington assembled his own troops near McConkey’s Ferry in preparation for the crossing. By about 6 PM, 2,400 troops had begun crossing the ice-choked river. The operation was slow and difficult due to the condition of the river. There was an abrupt change in the weather forcing the men to fight their way through sleet and a blinding snowstorm. These obstacles proved to be too much for the supporting divisions led by Generals Cadwalader and Ewing, ultimately preventing their crossing at southern points along the Delaware.
Against all odds, Washington and his men successfully completed the crossing and marched into Trenton on the morning of December 26, achieving a resounding victory over the Hessians. By moving ahead with his bold and daring plan, Washington re-ignited the cause of freedom and gave new life to the American Revolution.
(H/T Washington Crossing Park)
Today, our nation finds itself in trouble once again. Our freedoms are being constantly assaulted by an overreaching federal government, and our "leaders" in our nation's capital care more about politics than the American people.
After George Washington led our nation to victory in the War for Independence, he presided over the writing of the U.S. Constitution. During that constitutional convention, he voted for the states to have the power to amend the Constitution via an Article V Convention of States.
A Convention of States is the Founders' tool to fight federal overreach and regain our freedom. A Convention can propose constitutional amendments that limit federal power and spending, and impose term limits on all federal officials.
Millions have joined the movement. As we celebrate Christmas and look forward to the New Year, join your fellow patriots in our own crossing of the Delaware and get involved with the Convention of States team in your state!
