Washington's Triumph

Washington Crosses the Delaware River: How One Act changed the Course of the American Revolution

Written by Kara Coyne

What comes to your mind when you think of Christmas or any other holiday? 

I don't know about you, but I always love when my grandmother makes cinnamon rolls. I also love seeing family I do not normally get to see during the year.

Well, instead of presents under the Christmas Tree or homemade cinnamon rolls, George Washington did something no one had done on Christmas Day.

On a very cold, rainy day, George Washington decided to cross the Delaware River to attack the Hessian Troops on the other side.

It was a decision that could not come at a better time.

At the end of 1776, the Continental Army was nearly diminished.  The men were hungry, they had to sleep in tents on the cold, hard ground, and they were losing the war. 

It would take a miracle to convince these men to stay and fight. George Washington had to come up with a good plan quickly to lift the men's spirits.

On the other side of the Delaware River were Hessian soldiers. These men were German and were hired by the British to fight the Continental Army. They were very well-trained to fight.

The Continental Army, on the other hand, was mostly men who volunteered to fight for their country and had not been trained to be soldiers. Still, these men needed hope that things were going to get better.

George Washington decided that a surprise attack on the Hessian soldiers would be the plan. He finally assembled his men and crossed the Delaware River at night.

There were about 1,300-1,500 Hessian soldiers on the other side of the river. 

Washington decided that the attack would come from three boats to make sure the battle was in their favor.

However, his boat and 2,400 soldiers were the only ones to make it across because of the ice in the river.

George Washington hoped this surprise attack would symbolize a turning point in the war. 

But with all the many factors of this attack, it would take a miracle to pull off.

Unfortunately, a British spy passed along important information about the surprise attack to the Hessian soldiers.

This spy was able to go unnoticed in Washington's headquarters. They even were able to hear of the surprise attack plans! 

The British officers that received this information did not think Washington would attack.

The Hessian Troop's reaction to the attack was not what the British officers thought it would be. They were not afraid of an attack by the Continental Army. 

The Hessian officers brushed off this information because they were confident that Washington could not cross the icy waters. 

And if they did, the Hessian officers told the British officers they will still be able to defend themselves.

During the crossing, cargo boats were used. They were about 60 feet long and were very strong. 

Most of Washington's soldiers stood because the bottom of the boats was not comfortable or dry.  

Although the Hessian Troops knew they were coming, the bad weather and the constant false alarms made the troops put their guard down. 

The Hessian soldiers were unprepared for any attack. 

Even though they were told about the attack, they really underestimated the Continental Army.

The boats with the Continental Army started crossing the river at 11 0'clock that night. 

The weather had made them 3 hours behind schedule. Washington was nervous because they still had to march 10 miles after reaching the shore. 

Even with all the delays and the fact that the Hessian soldiers knew about the attack, the Continental Army still surprised them.

It was a fast victory for the Americans!

Washington Crosses the Delaware River

Washington Crosses the Delaware-National Geographic