| During the American Revolutionary War, on Christmas | | | | crossing; it took another hour to get the troops |
| Day, 1776, troops assembled at McKonkey's Ferry, | | | | organized for an attack. |
| Pennsylvania in preparation for crossing the Delaware | | | | Washington's troops attacked to the south, taking the |
| River. This would be the first move in a surprise attack | | | | Hessian garrison by surprise and swarming the town. |
| against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in | | | | Following fierce fighting, and the loss of their |
| the Battle of Trenton. These troops, a small army of | | | | commander, the Hessians surrendered. |
| 2,400, led by General George Washington, were on | | | | The victory came at a time in the Revolution when |
| their way to attack a Hessian Garrison of 1,500 in | | | | morale was at its lowest point. News of the American |
| Trenton, New Jersey and had been given the | | | | victory spread rapidly through the colonies, |
| password for the day, "Victory or Death". | | | | reinvigorating the failing spirit of the Revolution. The |
| By 3:00 p.m., all of the men were gathered at the point | | | | outcome of the battle also gave Washington and his |
| of embarkment, which was about nine miles north of | | | | officers the confidence to build up another campaign. |
| Trenton, and the loading of the boats began at nightfall. | | | | They crossed the Delaware again on December 30, |
| Washington and a party of Virginia troops crossed | | | | attacked and on January 2, won another victory at |
| over first to secure a landing site. | | | | Trenton. They then pushed on to Princeton, defeating |
| The original plan called for the entire army to be | | | | the British there on January 3. |
| disembarked on the New Jersey side of the Delaware | | | | Though it was not apparent at the time, these battles |
| by midnight. However, a hail and sleet storm had begun | | | | were crucial turning points in the Revolutionary War. |
| early in the crossing, winds were strong and the river | | | | Not only did they pull the Revolution out of the depths |
| was full of ice flows that had been moving | | | | of despair, they proved to would-be allies like France, |
| downstream for several days. Thus, was not until 3:00 | | | | Holland and Spain, that the Continental Army was a |
| a.m. on December 26, that the army completed the | | | | force to be reckoned with. |