General George Washington reminiscences the crossing the Delaware River, on the evening of December 25, 1776. A day that forever changed history. On Christmas night, 1776, George Washington led a harrowing mission across the Delaware to save the American cause for liberty. His soldiers’ password was “Victory or Death.” After America declared its independence, the “spirit of ‘76” soon subsided to the realities of war. The U.S. Army was undermanned and over-matched; and one horrific defeat followed another as a smallpox outbreak ravaged the American ranks. Morale waned, trust in Washington plunged, and nearly 5 of every 6 soldier’s enlistments were set to expire. Without a show of strength—or even hope—the army would disband, leaving the revolution dead in its womb. It is in this context that Washington’s men crossed the half-frozen Delaware against snow, sleet, and rain, in the dead of night, to rout the Hessians during “the times that try men’s souls.” The British troops were ensconced in New York, well-fed and warm. They left German troops in charge of Trenton, New Jersey. Washington’s plan was to make multiple crossings of the Delaware River in boats. On Christmas morning, he ordered the troops three days’ food and fresh arms. The crossing would begin as soon as darkness fell. However, the weather deteriorated over the course of the evening, as drizzle changed into freezing rain and snow. Henry Knox, Washington’s chief of artillery, had organized the crossing, which would be imperiled by floating ice. Men who got wet faced grave risks of frostbite and freezing to death. Because of the ice and bad weather, the crossing, which was to be complete at midnight, was not finished until early the next morning. The commander of the German troops in Trenton had received warning that an attack was coming, but he dismissed it, in part because lone farmers had been harrying the Germans for days, alternately drawing them out with gunshot and then retreating. Against all odds, the Dec. 26 surprise attack succeeded, throwing the Germans into confusion. When they tried to organize a counterattack, the Americans fired on them with muskets, killing their commander and sowing further discord. As a result of the battle, the Americans captured about 900 Germans and a large cache of supplies. Against orders, many American troops began enjoying captured rum, with the result that some fell into the water as they returned across the river. After a third successful crossing, Washington and his men made their way to Princeton, where another successful attack forced the enemy back to New Brunswick. Thereafter the Continental Army established its winter encampment in Morristown in early January. Against great odds, Washington managed to keep the army together, and eventually the Americans triumphed, as much through dodging decisive defeats and refusing to surrender as through any military prowess. As such chapters in the War of Independence illustrate, America has known many bleak Christmases, and when it comes to negotiating difficult times, the stubborn spirit of its people has often proved its redemption. ? www.MAGAlionHAT.com ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoy the content I provide? Please help support this renegade channel with PayPal! ? PayPal: MAGAlionHAT@Gmail.com Or, if you like you can Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MAGAlionHAT Crypto wallet addresses below. If you have a type of Crypto you wish to donate that I don't have a wallet for, email me and I will create one! ? It keeps me afloat while I'm working to produce informative and entertaining videos while finding and providing gems from other creators for you to enjoy! ? Any donation would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you and God Bless! ? Bitcoin (BTC): bc1q63xshh2c2u4tvc6jksl5crlhtp554qu0l4nn8j Bitcoin Cash (BCH): qqms8t79e6rk5z5djad360d38y9kkqnh7yfpxkkuy5 Bitcoin SV (BSV): 1F6oH8qkMjswViJSwq965gRivE3DqKuJKC Litecoin (LTC): LgxrUdjUxnmFGLtsAbh76C3aAm3dXAGDFV Dogecoin (DOGE): DGn5bkC9WM1E2oM79HWiYoVxE3rHuEGkoS Ethereum Classic (ETC): 0xC03AEe5333D50a20810e1A7585D9BB3f77E0B773 Ethereum (ETH): 0x27d5493Ac22D56B68cF36F5f77594BDC8e6FAc5E Shiba Inu (SHIB): 0x27d5493Ac22D56B68cF36F5f77594BDC8e6FAc5E Chainlink (LINK): 0x27d5493Ac22D56B68cF36F5f77594BDC8e6FAc5E Polygon (MATIC): 0x27d5493Ac22D56B68cF36F5f77594BDC8e6FAc5E Ripple (XRP): rwvGofsMZQMyqro9YPe7swpo6C6Kagpg2e VeChain (VET): 0x6410f2e05fEF8169bd1A6935884B9D4D56D9017b