Christmas 1776

There are many stories that go along with the famous crossing of the Delaware in 1776. Here are three things you may not know.

Washington's men were cold and demoralized. Both of these conditions could be remedied with a victory and a warm place to sleep. Our future first President seized a golden opportunity to bring a smile to his men's faces. Henry Knox, chief of artillery, had just got into Washington's boat. Knox was, let's say, a portly gentleman. In true Washington fashion, he nudged Knox with his boot and proclaimed, "shift that fat @##, Harry, but slowly or you'll swamp the da##ed boat." (edited for the sake of touchy readers). A little known fact about George Washington is that he could curse the paint off the wall.

Above is the iconic image of "Washington Crossing the Delaware." The general stands proudly in a small rowboat. Not the case. Washington had 900 men to get across the river. They actually crossed in long, narrow, flat boats. Washington more than likely could not and would not want to stand up. Everyone huddled together was the only way to keep warm.

On the other side of the Delaware in Trenton, NJ were a group of Hessians led by Johann Rall. The Hessians' Christmas was a stark contrast to that of the Americans. They were warm inside, had plenty to eat, and unfortunately for them plenty to drink. They celebrated the season with little worry of a Continental attack.

Rall enjoyed playing cards. He was doing such when a loyalist named John Honeyman arrived and handed him a note. Rall was enjoying his game and also had quite a bit to drink. He placed the note in his pocket and return to the table. Later that night, Washington's troops attacked. Rall was hit by a musketball while leading the retreat and died the next day. The note from Honeyman was taken from his pocket. It said that Washington's men were organizing and preparing an attack.