George Washington and the Battle of Trenton

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George Washington and the Battle of Trenton
Christmas 1776: Forging Ahead for Freedom
A Revolutionary River Crossing
On Christmas night 245 years ago, General George Washington was poised on the frozen banks of the Delaware River separating Pennsylvania and New Jersey, ready to lead his fatigued troops in a perilous surprise attack against Britain.

One year into the American Revolution, the Continental Army had not won a single significant battle and had suffered several major defeats. They were in desperate need of a victory. But the relatively inexperienced army made up of volunteers and local militias was exhausted, discouraged, and demoralized.

On the other hand, Britain's hired Hessian mercenaries were well-trained, well-equipped, rested, and ruthless.

The odds of winning were low. Washington’s strategy: a top-secret mission hinging on a river crossing and a pre-dawn attack on the enemy at Trenton.
The elements did not cooperate. That night, a ferocious winter storm moved in as Washington’s troops prepared to move out. Wind, sleet, rain and driving snow compounded the already treacherous night crossing. Hour after hour, the troops fought the conditions as they ferried themselves and heavy artillery across the Delaware, vision severely obstructed.

The Army finally arrived at Trenton at 8:00 AM – a full three hours behind schedule. Washington feared that a surprise attack was no longer possible and considered calling off the mission.
Miraculously, the element of surprise was retained despite the late arrival – the British were unprepared for an attack in such miserable conditions.

A Major Turning Point
The Battle of Trenton became the first major victory for the Americans, and a pivotal battle in the war. It gave a needed morale boost to the beleaguered troops, bolstered confidence in General Washington, invigorated the resolve and support of colonists and overseas allies, and prepared the Army for success at the Battle of Princeton a week later.

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Washington’s iconic battle plan – crossing the river for a surprise attack, undaunted by the elements, for victory at Trenton – is now recognized by historians as a watershed event in the war, indeed, a turning point for American independence.
We are in just as important a battle today to preserve our freedoms as Washington was in 1776 to gain them. And we are making great progress as a result of the generosity and support of so many of you.

And so with gratitude, we wish you a wonderful holiday season!
P.S. See below to learn how you can invest in reinvigorating civic education throughout our country.
Our battle today ... "The battle for the soul of our nation will be won or lost in the classroom.™" —Jack Miller

It is knowledge of our history and our founding principles that keeps our nation toward the vision of freedom our founders gave us. Will you join us in the effort? Together, we can reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history, from K-12 through college.

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About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.

We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.

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www.jackmillercenter.org
Our 1,000+ professor partners are both teaching college students (over 1.3 million students to date) and are also the resource for teaching middle and high school teachers about our founding principles and history so that they can better teach their students.

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