Washington Crossing

Washington Crossing refers to George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River on the night of December 25-26, 1776, which enabled the Continental Army's surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing took place at a point approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia, now preserved as Washington Crossing Historic Park on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey shores. At a moment when the American cause seemed on the verge of collapse—after months of defeats, with enlistments expiring and morale plummeting—Washington's audacious decision to cross an ice-choked river on Christmas night and attack professional soldiers in their barracks revived the revolution and demonstrated his qualities as a military commander. The victory at Trenton, followed by another at Princeton on January 3, 1777, transformed the strategic situation and kept the American cause alive through the dark winter. Washington Crossing has become one of the most celebrated events in American history, immortalized in Emanuel Leutze's iconic 1851 painting.

Desperation and Decision

The autumn of 1776 had been disastrous for the Continental Army. British forces under General William Howe had captured New York City in September, defeated Washington at White Plains in October, and seized Fort Washington in November, capturing nearly 3,000 American soldiers. Washington's army retreated across New Jersey, closely pursued by British and Hessian forces, and crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania in early December. By then, the army had dwindled to fewer than 6,000 effective soldiers, many of whose enlistments would expire on December 31. Morale was at its lowest point since the war began; many officers and civilians believed the revolution was finished.

Washington recognized that only a bold stroke could save the cause. British forces had established a chain of outposts across New Jersey, including a garrison of approximately 1,500 Hessian soldiers at Trenton, just across the Delaware River from Washington's position. The Hessians, professional German soldiers fighting for the British under contract with their prince, were formidable troops but were stretched thin across their outpost line. Intelligence reports suggested they might be vulnerable to surprise attack, especially during the holiday period when discipline might relax. Washington conceived a plan to cross the Delaware on Christmas night and attack Trenton at dawn, striking before the enemy could react.

The Crossing

The plan called for three separate crossings of the Delaware, with the main force of 2,400 men under Washington's direct command crossing at McConkey's Ferry (now Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania) nine miles above Trenton. Two supporting forces would cross downstream to cut off the Hessian retreat and block any reinforcements. The operation began on Christmas evening, with troops assembling at the ferry landing as darkness fell. The weather was terrible: temperatures were below freezing, and a storm brought snow, sleet, and high winds. The river was clogged with ice, making the crossing treacherous and slow. The flat-bottomed Durham boats, normally used for cargo, proved barely adequate for transporting men, horses, and artillery across the swift current.

The crossing took far longer than planned. Washington had hoped to complete the operation by midnight and attack at dawn, but the last troops did not reach the New Jersey shore until 3:00 a.m. The supporting crossings downstream failed entirely, leaving Washington without the forces intended to block the Hessian retreat. Despite these setbacks, Washington decided to press forward. The army formed up and began the nine-mile march to Trenton, arriving at the outskirts of town around 8:00 a.m. on December 26. The storm that had made the crossing so difficult now proved advantageous: the Hessians, confident that no army would venture out in such weather, had relaxed their guard. The Americans achieved complete surprise.

Victory at Trenton

The attack on Trenton succeeded beyond expectations. American forces entered the town from two directions, quickly overwhelming the surprised Hessians. Colonel Johann Rall, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded trying to organize resistance, and organized defense collapsed within an hour. Approximately 900 Hessians were captured along with their arms, ammunition, and supplies; 22 were killed, including Rall. American casualties were minimal: no deaths in combat (though two soldiers froze to death during the march) and only a handful of wounded. The victory provided the Continental Army with desperately needed weapons and equipment and, more importantly, demonstrated that American forces could defeat professional European soldiers.

The impact on morale was immediate and profound. News of the victory spread throughout the colonies, reviving spirits that had sunk to their lowest point. Enlistments, which had been running out, were extended as soldiers gained confidence in their commander and their cause. The victory encouraged Congress, which had fled Philadelphia, and impressed European observers who had begun writing off the American rebellion. Washington followed the success at Trenton with a second crossing of the Delaware and another victory at Princeton on January 3, 1777, driving British forces out of most of New Jersey and establishing a defensive line that held through the winter. The "Ten Crucial Days" from Christmas to early January transformed the war.

Washington Crossing Historic Park

The site of Washington's crossing is preserved as Washington Crossing Historic Park, with units on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River. The Pennsylvania park, in Bucks County, encompasses the ferry landing where the crossing began and includes the Thompson-Neely House, which served as a headquarters during the operation. Historic structures from the 18th century have been preserved, and the park maintains reproduction Durham boats used in annual reenactments of the crossing. The visitor center houses exhibits on the crossing and the Trenton-Princeton campaign, including reproductions of period weapons and equipment.

The annual reenactment of the crossing, held each Christmas Day, draws thousands of spectators who gather to watch volunteers in period costume row Durham boats across the Delaware. Weather permitting—the reenactment has been cancelled in some years due to ice or high water—the event recreates the spirit of Washington's desperate gamble. The park is open year-round, though some buildings and facilities have seasonal hours. Washington Crossing Historic Park offers an opportunity to stand at the place where the American Revolution was saved from destruction, where desperate men set out across a frozen river to strike a blow for independence.

See Also

• Battle of Brandywine
• Battle of Germantown
• Valley Forge
• George Washington