The 26th December 1776
My Commanding General brought up the Battle of Trenton the other day while speaking to us. Trenton was a significant victory for the Continental Army. One point the CG made was that the Continental Army was about to have allot of Enlistments expire. And the atack improved morale greatly.
When asked most people will say, "Yeah! Washington crossed the Deleware and attacked the British." but there is more to the story than that statement. Yes, Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas Night and the wee hours of the 26th as a storm came in. With the poweder wet, or even damp, firing muskets was doubtful. Washington ordered to fight with bayonets. The assemblige after crossing the river was slow and maybe even clumbsy, but apparently they settled out the chaos quick enough. Anyone who has ever been on an Assault Force can relate.
One point that most people don't know or forget about, it was not the British per say that Washington's force attacked. It was Hessians, German mecenaries, brought in by the Crown. Hessians were professional troops and if they were not feared, they were definitley respected. The victory over such a force added to the Continentals weight.
Something else, it was one battle than two future Presidents were in. Two Americans were wounded, one Washingtons cousin, and the other a future President, that nearly died, James Monroe.
For a little more reading on the Battle of Trenton, go here.
And boys and girls, that is your quic history teaser for the day.
The Appalachianist
When asked most people will say, "Yeah! Washington crossed the Deleware and attacked the British." but there is more to the story than that statement. Yes, Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas Night and the wee hours of the 26th as a storm came in. With the poweder wet, or even damp, firing muskets was doubtful. Washington ordered to fight with bayonets. The assemblige after crossing the river was slow and maybe even clumbsy, but apparently they settled out the chaos quick enough. Anyone who has ever been on an Assault Force can relate.
One point that most people don't know or forget about, it was not the British per say that Washington's force attacked. It was Hessians, German mecenaries, brought in by the Crown. Hessians were professional troops and if they were not feared, they were definitley respected. The victory over such a force added to the Continentals weight.
Something else, it was one battle than two future Presidents were in. Two Americans were wounded, one Washingtons cousin, and the other a future President, that nearly died, James Monroe.
For a little more reading on the Battle of Trenton, go here.
And boys and girls, that is your quic history teaser for the day.
The Appalachianist
Labels: American Revolution
posted by Hill Billy Rave | Sunday, December 25, 2011
4 Comments:
did not know that about Monroe being in the battle...
How timely. I just heard that someone repainted the infamous picture of Washington crossing the Delaware to make it more legit: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/new-york-museum-to-unveil-more-accurate-picture-of-washington-crossing-the-delaware-in-1776/2011/12/24/gIQA6XbzFP_story.html
Before I get started, I saw a picture in "picture of the day" on the Christian Science Monitor where they reinacted the crossing.
Marrianne, that was cool. I always like to see where history is put straight. I was hoping for a picture of the final product.
Sage, I knew it but reading up on it I remembered. I first learned it from a documentary on President Monroe. He was anxious to serve.
I saw the picture this morning, night back home, today.
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