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By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2008 | |
| | | 1. The Christmas Night Crossing Marker | | |
Inscription. “I am determined, as the night is favorable, to cross the River, & make the attack upon Trenton in the Morning.” General George Washington
After a series of defeats in New York in 1776, General George Washington’s Continental Army retreated across New Jersey and, on December 8th, escaped across Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The British, unable to find boats, could not pursue Washington further so went into winter quarters; leaving a chain of outposts throughout New Jersey. The Trenton outpost consisted of three regiments of Hessian soldiers.
In desperate need of a victory, Washington decided to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night to launch a surprise attack on Trenton. As night fell, the army of 2,400 men began to cross the ice-filled river. By midnight a storm had developed – hurling sleet, hail and snow at the rebel army.
“We had to wait for the rest and so began to pull down the fences and made fires to warm ourselves, for the storm was increasing rapidly. After a while it rained, hailed, snowed, and froze, and at the same time blew a perfect hurricane.”
John Greenwood, Fifer, 15th Massachusetts Regiment
For almost ten hours, boats moved continuously back and forth across the river, ferrying men, horses and cannon to the Jersey side. It was nearly | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Marker on the Delaware River | | This photo looks across the Delaware River toward the point where Washington's crossing originated. | | |
4 in the morning before the entire army was assembled and ready for the march to Trenton.
On the morning of December 26th, after a nine-mile march, the Hessian garrison was surrounded and defeated. This decisive victory at Trenton – a tremendous morale boost for the Continentals – saved the Revolution.
“…the army…passed the river on Christmas night, with almost infinite difficulty…. The floating ice in the river made the labor almost incredible. However perseverance accomplished what at first seemed impossible…. The night was cold and stormy; it hailed with great violence….”
Colonel Henry Knox, Continental Artillery
Erected by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Parks and Forestry.
Location. 40° 17.803′ N, 74° 52.052′ W. Marker is in Titusville, New Jersey, in Mercer County. Marker is on River Drive, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is in Washington Crossing State Park, on the banks of the Delaware River. Marker is in this post office area: Titusville NJ 08560, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Site of Washington’s Crossing (here, next to this marker); An Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); Ferry Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Crossed the Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); 200th Birthday of George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial of General George Washington's Birthday (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing of the Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Titusville.
More about this marker. The marker is dominated by a picture of “Washington Crossing the Delaware by Lloyd Garrison. Courtesey of the State Historical Foundation, Inc.”
Also see . . . Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776. (Submitted on April 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page originally submitted on April 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 622 times since then. This page was the Marker of the Week December 21, 2008. Photos: 1, 2. Submitted on April 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page. |
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