Amid the bitterly cold winter of 1776, General George Washington huddles his rag-tag army at Valley Forge. With supplies, food, and clothing dwindling and an incompetent and infighting Continental Congress not getting supplies to the army, it becomes aparent the war and Revolution may be lost. Washington needs a victory to bolster the war and the army.
He gathers his army for the final effort that may revitalize the army which has shrunk to about 5,000 men and all appears to lost. Washington tells his army on Christmas Day to prepare to take the offensive and cross the Delaware to attack the Hessians at Trenton.
The task will be monumental – crossing the Delaware in a blizzard and a near frozen river. Washington himself will lead his soldiers in battle, the first time he has done so in the war.
At 11 p.m. the boats begin to cross the Delaware – it will be a painfully difficult task – high wind, increasing snow and ice. It takes most of the night to get the army over the river, costing more time than planned.
Washington considered turning back, but determined to push on. At 5 a.m. the temperature continues to drop, soldiers begin to succumb to the elements. Many have no shoes, most have no coats, but trudge forward through the deep snow.
Two soldiers lay down in the snow, never to get up again, the others continue on. Speed and stealth is a priority – Washington’s new way to fight a war. Washington had learned some hard lessons but now will change the rules.
He catches the Hessians off guard and a fierce battle ensues. The Hessians scramble to get to their arms – finding a different kind of enemey. Fighting with a fierce spirit and bloody determination, the battle lasts less than an hour and the Hessians don’t stand a chance.
A thousand Hessians are captured or killed out of 1,500. Washington’s Christmas Day gift to America illustrates his genius. Demonstrating the Continental Army will always live to fight another day.
On December 31, 1776 it is the last day of many of the soldier’s commissions and they want to go home. Washington tells them they have done everything America has asked of them, and asks them to do it one more time. He offers them an additional $10 pay, more than a month’s salary which he did not have. Then one soldier says “Well, I might as well keep fighting” and steps forward. Then others step forward.
The tide has turned and the army will continue to exist – Washington has revived the Revolution because the army IS the Revolution.
