WASHINGTON CROSSING The DELAWARE
TRENTON,NEW JERSEY
WASHINGTON CROSSING The DELAWARE
On the night of December 25–26, 1776, General George Washington led the Continental Army across the ice-choked Delaware River in a daring surprise attack against Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. This maneuver was a desperate bid to revive the failing American Revolution after a series of crushing defeats in New York.
The Historic Event
The crossing was the first phase of a complex plan intended to involve three separate river crossings. However, extreme weather—a nor'easter featuring freezing rain, snow, and sleet—prevented the other two columns from reaching New Jersey.
- The Forces: Washington led approximately 2,400 soldiers, along with 18 cannons and horses, across the river.
- The Vessels: While often depicted in small rowboats, the army primarily used large, flat-bottomed Durham boats (40–60 feet long) and ferries to transport heavy equipment.
- The Outcome: Despite being three hours behind schedule, the Continental Army successfully surprised and defeated the Hessian garrison at the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26.
- Impact: The victory, followed by successes at Assunpink Creek and Princeton, boosted morale and secured Washington's leadership, saving the revolution from collapse.
The Iconic Painting
The most famous depiction of this event is the 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze, which is currently on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. While historically significant as a symbol of American resilience, it contains several intentional inaccuracies:
- The Boat: Leutze depicts a small rowboat rather than the massive Durham boats actually used.
- The Flag: The "Stars and Stripes" shown in the painting was not adopted until June 1777, six months after the crossing.
- The Stance: Washington is shown standing heroically; in reality, such a stance would have likely capsized the boat in the treacherous, icy conditions.
- The Figures: The boat includes a diverse cross-section of the colonies, including an African American man and figures representing different backgrounds, symbolizing national unity.
GEORGE WASHINTON
"CROSSING The DELAWARE"
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
"CROSSING The DELAWARE"
PATRIOTIC PAINTING
FINE ART PRINT on CANVAS
