General George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776, so they might launch a surprise attack on an army of Hessian mercenaries hired by the British. Washington’s plan of attack included three different crossings. Colonel Cadwalader was to lead his force of 1,800 men across the river near Burlington, New Jersey. James Ewing was to cross the river at Trenton with 800 men. But Cadwalader and Ewing’s forces were unable to cross the ice-choked river. Only Washington’s band was able to make it across. By the time most of the soldiers had reached the launching point for the boats, the drizzle had turned into a driving rain. By 11 o’clock that evening, a howling nor’easter made the miserable river crossing even worse. One soldier recorded that “it blew a perfect hurricane” as snow and sleet lashed Washington’s army. His plan called for a march of 10 miles to the outskirts of Trenton on roads that were now slick with ice and snow. Washington feared his army would be caught out in the open. What to do? Contemplating his choices, Washington was seen brooding on a crate near a fire. Washington later wrote, “…As I was certain there was no making a retreat without being discovered and harassed on repassing the River, I determined to push on at all Events.”
