FALL 1999

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Crossing A River To Victory! ¥} President Lincoln Delivers

All Eyes Upon Aaronsburg + Probing Philadelphia Politics

aracters seem straight out of a big screen blo )L r: tagonist, a distinguished squire turned military commander,

appearing outwardly controlled, yet besieged by internal doubts; his antagonist, a general whose redeeming qualities are negated by his arrogance and complacency; a comely widow; heroes, cads, and a supporting cast of thousands. The plot is also quintessential cinema fare, full of bloody combat, intrigue, harsh weather, infighting, psychological gamesmanship, even a love interest or two. As the dramatic tension mounts, it's clear that the action reaches a turning point. If he prevails in his efforts, the protagonist will change the course of history; liberty for his rebels and those they represent will be the result. If he fails, he and his cause will be remembered only as a footnote to history. The odds are

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I. His forces are outnumbered, under-trained, and poorly

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Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County commemorates the Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware River by George Washington, whose forces surprised Hessian enemies at Trenton, New Jersey. Today, authentically uniformed volunteers reenact the historic crossing using Durham boats, the same type that Washington's troops used to were originally used to haul iron ore.

equipped. His record so far is poor, By mid-1776, the flood of passion for loss after agonizing loss. And yet dependence that had begun with does not give up, but tries a bold sistance to the Stamp Act of 1765, ditch effort that, somehow, some wa rown during such flash points as the succeeds. oston Massacre, and maintained its

It sends chills up the spine to reali omentum from the opening battles at that this is not a Hollywood concocti gton and Concord, on April 19, but the true story of Christmas night, through the enthusiastic days of 1776, when General George Washingto eclaration of Independence, had (1732-1799) crossed the ice-choked greatly dwindled. For the first time, the Delaware River on his way to success colonists faced the cold reality of war's Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, carnage. Virginian George Washington, where he stopped the British from appointed Commander-in-Chief of the crushing the American Revolution and Continental Army by the Continental restored the colonists' dream that Congress, had his hands full coping with independence could be achieved. desertion, disobedience, and the Washington Crossing Historic Park deplorable conditions under which his (WCHP) in Bucks County, a five hun- army existed. Congress failed to provide dred-acre site administered by the adequate artillery, uniforms, and even Pennsylvania Historical and Museum the most basic of supplies. Most of these Commission (PHMC), commemorates fellows were not experienced in military this momentous event, opening visitors' life; they were farmers, merchants, eyes to just how extraordinary-and mechanics, carpenters, and tradesmen. how significant-the American victory When they enlisted, most had only was.

In contrast, by July 1776 the British Commander in Chief, Sir William Howe (1729-1814), landed on Staten Island with nine thousand professional troops. The following month, his army of British and Hessians (German mercenaries hired into the service of British King George 111) had swelled to more than thirty thousand. This well-trained force had dealt the colonials one defeat after another in New York: August 27, at the Battle of Long Island; October 28, at the Battle of White Plains; and the Novem- ber 16 debacle at Fort Washington on the east side of the Hudson River.

The Americans had been positioned advantageously inside Fort Washington, although the redcoats heavily outnum- bered them. Washington, camped at Fort Lee in New Jersey directly across the river, reluctantly allowed Brigadier General Nathanael Greene to try to hold Fort Washington. The results were disastrous. The fort with more than twenty-eight hundred troops surren-

barges could be constructed. General Howe decided that there

would be no assault on Philadelphia before the New Year. The British would establish winter quarters in western New Jersey. General Howe at first named a Hessian German, Colonel Carl Ernil Ulrich von Donop, as commander of the troops to occupy Trenton, Bordentown, and Burlington. However, Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall, another Hessian, talked Howe into giving him the Trenton command instead. Donop, wary of surprise attacks by the patriots, ordered Rail to build earthen redoubts around Trenton, but the complacent Rall refused.

Fifty-year-old Rall, known as "The Lion," was a career soldier who had performed brilliantly at Fort Washing- ton. By all accounts, the enlisted men worshipped him. But Rail's officers complained of his cruel refusal to ask the British Army for warm winter clothes for his common soldiers. Rail did not have to worry about keeping himself warm. He quartered in the home of a wealthy Trentonian, enjoying the comfort that affluence accorded while his soldiers endured cold, cramped conditions.

General Lee finally entered New Jersey on December 2-3, but rather than joining Washington he began to maneu- ver against Cornwallis's troops. If he could force them out he stood a good

ruined ten days later, on December 13, when he was taken prisoner at Mrs. White's tavern in Basking Ridge by la roving detachment of British cavalry. General John Sullivan then led the remainder of Lee's command to Wash- ington's encampment in Bucks County.

Washington knew the game was almost up. If he did not act, the War for Independence would be over. He decided that one bold stroke might stem the tide, so he planned a surprise assault on the Hessian garrison at Trenton. Washington's force was camped on the Delaware at McKonkey's Ferry- encompassed now by Washington Crossing Historic Park-where a supply of boats was assembled. He decided to attack before daylight on Thursday, December 26, gambling that the Hes- sians would not be very alert because they traditionally celebrated for several days at Christmas.

While Washington planned, Colonel von Donop heard that New Jersey's Colonel Samuel Griffin had gathered \ eight hundred patriots at Mount Holly, eighteen miles south of Trenton. Donop marched there and pushed Griffin's small force back toward Moorestown. In Mount Holly that night, Donop became smitten by a young widow and detided to linger. He remained there to celebrate the holiday season, making help unavail-

- every suggestion of a rebel attack. He underestimated Washington and his men, a fatal mistake. As a bitter north- east wind blew on Christmas Day, twenty-four hundred Continental soldiers began assemfaliftg at McKon- key's Ferry, eight nutes op the Delaware from Trentoe. Beginning at sundown,. Colonel John Glover's Fourteenth Massachusetts Continental t- the Marbleheadere-began to fefry troops, horses, and eighteen cannon across the icy river in an ever-wotsprang storm of sleet and -snow. The forty t6 sixty-foot, black Durham beaten4çW te to carry iron ore and pig iron, c&-bld up to fifteen tons each, perfect for transporting artillery (see "Unconven- tional Patriot: An Interview with Ann Hawkes Huttonaby Brent D. Glass, in the Winter 1996 issue). Washington knew that they would need thelarge guns, since muskets,malfunctioned when wet. The firing mechanism of a cannon, on the other hand, could be kept dry if reasonable p~ecawtions were ohem&.

As the stormy night draigged on, it was clear that element of cocap- surprise Washmgton hAdteop^ far on the march to Treaton hadbeen test because it took so-lmg to.feriy.e'veiyone across the river and been noisy and other hand, the accelefaitog storm

effectively obscured the troops' w d v ~

to

o'clock in the morning before tbà &waits were assembled on the New Jersey stele, ready to march eight miles south,@ Trenton. The exhausting physical effort, especially on the part of the Marhj head soldier-boatsmen, poling wad stegnmg the Durham boats amidst blocks of ice, was notable voice of the he-hundre Colonel Henry b o x , was heard wefy- where, providing organjzationftl'stebyity.

McConkey's Ferry Inn (above), sections of washington himself which date to the eighteenth century, and the position on the N~~ jatewsjk Mahlon K. Taylor House (below), a completely oversee the landing of hi5 restored dwelling built about 1817, welcome tirne fie march began thevfod visitors to experience life in the eighteenth and blowing toward the à § u p ~ t i f f nineteenth centuries. the marchers and hurling mw! and i&e

into the faces of enemy sentries. More ominoas was news that came

from Bristol, twenty miles downstream. Washington's master plan had included coordinated minor crossing@ of r d u - ti~nary forces at Trenton Fprry -awl, Bristol. Brigader General Jwi?s.I&vk&s six hundred Pennaylvapia militiaBien were to ooss from Trentoa Peas? te btock any retreat of $Tessians at the

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Assunpink ~reek,'soi,iIh of Trenton. Colonel John G$wala$er's battalion of ~hiladeiphia Assod@pf was to cross from Bristol to W ~ M S & Hessian garrison at Bordeniown so &at it could not reinforce Trenton, tiat the weather allowed only &,few of ~s jwabder ' s men to cross, and m e of Swing'sforce embarked at T q t p I?$rryi Wphington did not leain t f i a t b p f n ~ B w ~ s and - Cadwalader's ojaefeatifiBis had failed until the following mdpin& - Washington wip determined to risk everything to carry onghis major objective. By six b ctejds, the rebels were in Birmingham, tegs fnaq five miles from ~rentqq/where,A$y split into two columns. ~eneral Grew$ led the northern attack, @wp+&d by Washingtor? a n d l b y ~ o x l who com- manded the artfllety. Gene& John Sullivan con(unaacted the rightwing, which moved aloag river road, seize4 the lower sections of the city, ana

For their invaluable assistance, the mihor

Washington Crossing Historic Pafk: Tow Crossing Historic Park, P.O. 103, where the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Collins, historic site admidstmbr; M w r k e Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania lived and worked for nearly forty years. ("Pat") P#rizio, education dire*; and 18977; telephone (215) 493-4076; or visit Visitors to Doylestown, the county seat, Karen L. Hormth, guide supervisor. its Web site at www.spiritof76.com/wchp. c& e+oy the James A. Michener Art Picnic pavilions are available for group Museum, which features extensive FOR FURTHER READING I

reservations. Persons with disabilities holdings of works by the New Hope who need special assistance or accom- School and the Pennsylvania impression- Owya, William M., 'fde Day is modation should telephone the historic ists. Three of Pennsylvania's more h i & View ~/;(fe~;@o*tfas site in advance of their visit to discuss unusual attractions are also located in the and Pfincetti& tertyembe~ their needs. Persons who are deaf, hard county seat, thanks to a most unusual 1777. New BmftsWick, N.J.: of hearing or speech impaired who wish individual, Henry Chapman Mercer UnWersity Press, 1983. to contact a hearing person via Text (1856-1930). These are Fonthill, the Telephone may use the PA Relay Center Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Fast, Howard. The-?rossiw firnark, N f pt 1-800-654-5984. Pottery and Tile Works, constructed New Jersey Histwidd Society, 1971.

A full schedule of events is planned entirely of reinforced concrete.' for the remainder of 1999, leading up to Other popular attractions in Bucks Flexper, James Thomas. WÃ the extremely popular crossing reenact- County include Andalusia, in Andalusia, Ind@fffsa&Ie- Man. Boston:

mid Company, 1974.

Hughes, Rupert. George Washington: the Rebel and the Patriot, 1762-1777. New