The Crossing

After repeated defeats, the Continental Army is forced to retreat across New Jersey. They have lost New York City and suffered heavy losses, with many soldiers killed, captured, or deserting. Supplies and morale are running dangerously low.

The army narrowly crosses the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, gaining a temporary reprieve from pursuit. The small boats available make the crossing perilous, especially in freezing weather. If discovered, the operation could fail and cost the Revolution.

General Hugh Mercer warns Washington that their supplies of food, medicine, ammunition and winter clothing are dangerously low. Washington realizes that without a bold move the Revolution could collapse. He must find a plan to restore momentum.

Washington conceives a plan to cross back over the Delaware and strike the Hessian garrison at Trenton. The aim is to surprise them while they are resting after Christmas. The plan hinges on timing, secrecy and a rapid night march.

The plan is met with resistance when General Horatio Gates critiques it and suggests Washington relinquish command. Washington orders Gates to remain silent, and Alexander Hamilton escorts him from camp at gunpoint. The moment underscores the high stakes and Washington's resolve.

Colonel John Glover, a seasoned mariner, agrees to oversee the crossing despite the odds. He and his men will move Washington’s troops in one night, risking freezing conditions. They commit to the mission to save the Revolution.

To maintain the element of surprise, officers are told to reveal as little as possible and to train only what is necessary. They have only a few days to prepare weapons and movements. The pressure builds as the deadline approaches.

The crossing begins on the night of December 25–26 under freezing weather with minimal visibility. Glover and his mariners orchestrate the transfer of troops across the river. The operation carries a high risk of discovery.

The crossing is completed by the morning of December 26, though behind schedule and with the sun rising. Washington's troops regroup on the New Jersey bank and prepare for the march to Trenton. The operation shifts from crossing to an offensive maneuver.

Washington's troops march to Trenton under swift, quiet movement to avoid detection. The march is timed to keep the enemy unaware of the impending attack. Fatigue blends with renewed determination as they close in on their target.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the Continentals launch a surprise assault on the Hessian garrison. The element of surprise overwhelms the enemy from the outset. The Hessians are caught off guard and struggle to respond.

The Hessian defenses crumble under the unexpected assault, and most of the garrison is captured. The victory provides a dramatic morale boost for the Continental Army. Washington's leadership, aided by Glover's crossing, proves pivotal.

The narrative underscores how the rising sun and potential discovery threatened the operation's success. The calculated risk pays off with a dramatic and morale-raising victory. The event is framed as a turning point that keeps the Revolution alive.