An American Christmas Story Worth Retelling

The Christmas of 1776
Nov 19, 2008 David J. Shestokas

In December, 1776 the British had driven Gen. George Washington and his men out of New York and across New Jersey. Things looked bleak for the Americans.

In their escape from the British the Americans commandeered every boat they could find to cross the Delaware River into Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They were starving, sick and cold.

A Desperate American Situation

By the time they crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, Washington had only 3,000 of his original 20,000 troops. Only twelve miles away in Philadelphia, Congress sat. Seeing their army in retreat they panicked, and fled. Before fleeing, Congress granted Washington wide ranging authority and left for Baltimore, 110 miles to the south. The American cause appeared lost.

On the other side of the river was Trenton, then a town of 100 homes. The British had occupied Trenton, but not with British regulars. 1600 brutal German Hessian mercenaries made up the occupation force. The citizens of Trenton had formed militia bands opposing the Hessian occupation.

As Christmas neared the circumstances for Washington were desperate. Congress had left, the winter was wicked and what little army he had left was soon to disband. This was because the terms of enlistment ended December 31, 1776 for most of Washington's troops. That was only a week away.

Washington’s Stunning Decision

On Christmas Eve General Washington met with Benjamin Rush, among the few congressmen remaining in Philadelphia. He advised Rush of a stunning and momentous decision: to launch a surprise attack on the Hessians. Washington had been making notes while talking with Rush. One of the notes read: “Victory or Deathâ€