Crossing the Delaware

After a long retreat across New Jersey, General George Washington’s tired and ragged troops arrived at the banks of the Delaware River on December 2, 1776. With a harsh winter approaching, troop morale low, and desertions plentiful, Washington knew a victory was necessary. He devised a plan to cross the river under the cover of darkness and march to Trenton to attack Hessian outposts.

Beginning the attack at around 6:00 pm on Christmas Day, 2,400 troops began crossing the frigid Delaware River. The process was slow moving as chunks of ice made it hard to maneuver boats and a snowstorm quickly led to poor visibility. Even with all these obstacles on their way, the surprise attack worked, and Washington’s troops were able to achieve a much-needed victory over the Hessians.

Two citizens of Morris County were present during this historic event. Reverend John Gano became Morristown’s full-time Baptist minister in 1754. He would eventually leave his congregation to become a chaplain in the Continental Army. Morris Township’s Solomon Munson, Jr. served as a private in the Morris County Militia and the New Jersey Line.

Today visitors to New Jersey’s Washington Crossing State Park can learn more about the Continental Army’s historic victory at Trenton and the state’s role in the American Revolution.

To learn more about the about this historic event and the Morris County soldiers who participated, visit the ‘Battles’ section of our StoryMap: Morris County in the American Revolution. 

 

Image: Leutze, Emmanuel. Washington Crossing the Delaware. 1851, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.