Washington Crosses the Delaware and Surprises Trenton

By December 1776, the American rebellion faced an existential crisis. Following a string of defeats in New York, the Continental Army had retreated across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. Desertions and expiring enlistments had decimated the ranks, leaving George Washington with a diminished and demoralized force. Recognizing that military inaction risked the total collapse of the army before year's end, Washington devised a coordinated strike against the British outpost at Trenton, New Jersey, where three regiments of Hessian auxiliaries were stationed for the winter under Colonel Johann Rall.

The operational plan required three separate crossings of the Delaware River on Christmas night, but severe winter weather quickly compromised the schedule. Snow, sleet, and river ice kept James Ewing's force from crossing, and John Cadwalader, unable to land his artillery, pulled back the men he had sent over, so Washington's column attacked alone. John Glover's 14th Continental Regiment ferried Washington's main force of 2,400 troops, along with horses and artillery, across the river in Durham boats and ferries. Because the difficult crossing ran hours behind schedule, the troops were unable to begin their nine-mile march toward Trenton until 4:00 am.