The Miracle Storm at Trenton

The first 18 months of the Revolutionary War did not go well for the American army.  Washington had assumed command of the Continental forces outside Boston on July 3, 1775.  They had surrendered the city of Manhattan, been defeated in multiple battles across New York and had retreated all the way across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. 

By December of 1776, Washington had reassembled most of his troops on the banks of the Delaware River, but they were outnumbered, sick, starving, and freezing in their light summer clothing.  Few had shoes and warm blankets; there was almost no ammunition.  They had not been paid in weeks; they were beaten and discouraged.  Almost every man had signed an enlistment that expired at midnight, December 31^st.  An intervening, bickering congress demanded results but had exhibited little power to recruit and supply the army.  Washington, with no recent successes and no available funds, knew he had no ability to recruit another army.  It appeared to everyone (including the British) that the war would soon be over.

On December 23^rd, Thomas Paine, in the misery of the camp, with light snow falling, sat before a fire and with a drum head for a desk, penned the following words, “These are the times that try men’s souls.  The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.  Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”  The words inspired even Washington who had the essay printed and circulated among the troops as he completed his plan to attack Trenton.  

Washington had received word on the conditions of the British & Hessian Troops in Trenton from John Honeyman, an American spy who posed as a British loyalist throughout the war.  Honeyman had mapped out the headquarters of Colonel Johann Rall (the post commander at Trenton), the troop barracks, fortifications and cannon placements.  He estimated 1,550 troops in the city.  He gave exacting details of their ammunition stores, cannons, gunpowder, cattle, horse, saddles, muskets, food, and clothing.  He also related their plans to take the day off on Christmas and be supplied with German rum to celebrate the holiday.

Washington’s strategy was fourfold: General Ewing was to cross the river just below Trenton; Colonel Cadwallader was to attack from the south; General Putnam would come in from Philadelphia; and General Washington was to cross the river at McConkey’s ferry, then proceed nine miles to Trenton.  The idea that starving American troops could prevail against entrenched, well-trained, highly-feared Hessian soldier-mercenaries was bold and desperate….but they were desperate times.  The attack required absolute secrecy and precise coordination.

At 4:00 PM on Christmas day, a violent wind-driven snowstorm swept down the Delaware River Valley.  After darkness fell, and despite the weather, local fishermen began loading their 32-foot long freight boats for the crossing.  A few days of milder weather had opened the ice and large chucks of floating ice threatened to capsize each of the heavy-laden boats.  The Delaware native, Thomas Rodney wrote, “As severe a night as I ever saw.  The frost was sharp, the current difficult to stem, the ice increasing, the wind high and at eleven it began again to snow.”  The landing of the artillery was not completed until 3:00 AM, yet they did lose a man, cannon, or horse in the crossing.  By 4:00 AM on the 26th, the army began its nine-mile march to Trenton, four hours behind schedule. 

Expecting supporting troops to arrive, Washington proceeded with the plan, yet the auxiliary troops never came.  American commanders Ewing, Cadwallader, and Putnam all stayed in their shelters, certain that the attack would be cancelled due to the severity of the storm leaving Washington’s company alone to execute the attack.  About five miles from the city it was reported that their gunpowder was too wet to ignite.  Committed and determined, Washington commanded “to use the bayonet and penetrate into the town.  The town must be taken.” 

At eight o’clock on the morning of December 26^th, the Americans hit Trenton and caught the Hessians completely unprepared, many still asleep and inebriated from their Christmas celebration.  The battle lasted about an hour.  Four hundred Hessians were killed in the heavy hand-to-hand street fight and nearly nine hundred prisoners were taken.  Washington’s losses included two killed in battle, two severely frozen, and three wounded.  In military terms, the US/Hessian kill/loss ratio was a staggering 100/1.  Trophies of war included six bronze cannons, over a thousand rifles, ammunition, plus blankets, clothing and food for an entire army! 

Many Americans considered the battle to be a miracle, and truly it was.  As the storm intensified, the already over-confident Hessian commander relaxed in the comfort of his cozy, confiscated home.  Floating ice kept ferrymen and passengers alert to avoid careless mistakes.  Blizzard conditions drove Hessians spies and outpost guards into shelters.  Deafening wind muffled sounds of troop movement.  Frozen ground allowed heavy carts and cannons to travel quickly and prevented deep wagon tracks.  Snow and sleet immediately covered soldier’s bloodstained tracks. The entire army had advanced into battle position completely undetected!

Perhaps the greatest result of the battle was the morale boost it gave the Americans.  The Hessian prisoners were paraded through the streets of Philadelphia to prove that the dreaded European mercenaries were not invincible.  The effect upon the country was electric; the American cause revived.  Most of the soldiers re-enlisted long enough for a new army to be recruited.  Washington’s foresight and tenacity, his army’s sacrifice, Honeyman’s information, and the providential weather all came together into masterful orchestration.  Paine’s ageless words were confirmed, “These are the times that try men’s souls…The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph!”

Learn more at www.TheGloriousCauseOfAmerica.org