Monday, November 21, 2016
Washington's Crossing
When Julius Caesar marched his legions across the Rubicon, he reportedly said, "Let the dice fly high." But he was not gambling. There could only be one outcome. Another military leader who marched his tattered troops across the Delaware in the middle of a Nor'easter on Christmas Day in 1776 really was gambling. Of course, I'm speaking of George Washington, our first and perhaps our greatest President.
He commanded what was left of the US Armed Forces after their humiliation by the British in New York. Using Durham boats made at the southern tip of the county, he took 2,400 men across the icy river, along with 18 cannons and about 50 horses. "Victory or death" was his password to this covert operation against a Hessian stronghold in Trenton. Though they were tipped off, they never dreamed of an attack in the middle of a snowstorm.
It was a daring raid, followed by another at Princeton in relief of a stranded American unit.
It's easy to let the dice fly high when you know no one can beat you. But only a real badass attacks right after his army has been decimated.
Washington lost nearly every battle in which he commanded, but he won the war. He was able to keep that army together at a time when some soldiers were nearly naked and had no food. An aristocratic planter who originally disdained his troops, he grew to love them, and suffered every hardship they endured.
When he ultimately surrendered his commission after eight and a half years, he told his troops he could not go to each of them, but they could come to him and "take my hand." The supposedly aloof general broke down in tears as soldier after soldier came up to hug and even kiss him.
The slave owner who allowed more integration in his army than anyone else until the Vietnam war would go on to set his slaves free in his will, and set aside monetary provisions so each family could have a start.
Only a few other slave owners followed this example.
On Friday, I visited Washington Crossing, about an hour from Easton. On December 11and again on December 25, there will be re-enactments of the crossing.
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Lehigh County Heritage Museum had Mort Kuntsler's rendition of Washington's Crossing on display a year or so ago. The piece was commissioned to create a more true to form rendition of the crossing. The facial expressions tell the story of what it really must have felt like that frigud night. Such a privilege to have seen it here in the LV. The Lehigh County Heritage Museum is one of the best kept secrets in the LV. Seeing tbe reenactment is on our local bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
It's a wonderful place, isn't it?
My wife and I visit it often, and I've many times ridden my bike through it on the towpath.
Also, for several years my office was within walking distance of Valley Forge, and I would often go there on nice days to eat my lunch or to take an after-work walk.
In both places there is, for me, something palpable that speaks to what makes America unique in the world. No matter how many times I visit them, the inspiration never lessens.
Thanks for your posting, Bernie. It reminds me it's time for a ride...
Bernie:
Did you have a chance to visit the museum/visitor's center on the New Jersey side? There are a lot of artifacts from the time period that are well preserved.
If you wish to read a most interesting and detailed accurate account of both 1776-77 Delaware crossings and the following relatively forgotten 1777 campaign in New Jersey, get David Hackett Fischer's highly acclaimed book "Washington's Crossing". It is available in paper back at a reasonable price at the Washington's Crossing park gift shop. It is a long but fascinating read that goes beyond the legends and myths to tell a much more complex story than is generally known.
It's pretty cool - have been there several times. In late May they hold a festival where they set up working exhibits and have craftspeople and enectors.
"Did you have a chance to visit the museum/visitor's center on the New Jersey side? There are a lot of artifacts from the time period that are well preserved."
I was only on the Pennsy side. I'll check jersey when I go again on Dec. 11. Thanks.
9:54, McCullough's 1776 is pretty compelling. But the chapter in Chernow's Washington, A Life called "The Crossing" is the best I've read about the whole affair. He coversit in his book about Hamilton, too.
6:04 Hope to see you at the Dec 11 or 25 re-enactment.
It gets really crowded during the reenactments. Plan accordingly.
Thanks.
Donald Trump plans to recreate this but he will cross the Potomac River.
Bernie, Most Americans can't tell you what direction magnetically Washington traveled to the shores of N.J.-SO , This 'slave 'was Prince Whipple took his name from General Whipple who took care of him ,became emancipated and wanted to go the war with Washington.He was not forced there, but was a brave man with principles and wanted to be an asset to Washington . He is to be admired and should have already been put on a coin or recognized as a national hero that he was. Washington did not whip this man or abuse him , he was indeed a trusted part of our revolution against the Brits.
Washington was the 9th president, from 1776 to 1789 was the period when most if not all the true American revolutionaries were stalked and purge from history. Just like Stalin did when the soviets had their workers party revolution. Figures like Thomas Paine who was hounded until the day he died. The other 8 president before Washington are recorded but are not often talked about, wrong lodge maybe.
The greatest achievement of Washington was the "name change", all agreements and treaties the white Europeans had with Native Americans could now be abrogated and Washington along with land speculators could now help themselves to more their property. When Washington left office he was the richest man in the country, with nothing left to do but rewrite history.
Revolutions do one thing, and it does not matter where they happen , they bring you right back where you started. With perhaps a couple of name changes.
Yes, of course, white people suck, don't they, 6:44?
Washington was the first President of the United States after adoption of the Constitution. Yes, there other presidents, but of Continental Congress.
6:53PM
"white people suck"?
White's got nothing to do with it. People are full of shit.
Alexander Hamilton was an artillery officer under General Knox that went to Princeton 4 Jan 1777 and became the first man that shot at a school that he was rejected from because he was not from here. For the first time in our history. SO- he wheeled his cannon in front of the College of New Jersey now NasSaw Hall at Princeton University and his crew cut loose with three salvos- the last one decapitated King George the Third's painting in the inside of a foyer - the BRITS gave up the building that was at one time LATER be our Nation's Capital for a short time. Hamilton and Whipple both crossed the Delaware Christmas night together. Whipple was part of this.
ANON 6'44 Washington WAS NOT the 9th
The National Airport name was change to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, but it functions the same, with the same purpose. History is like that, just change the name and, voila', it's different.
I will say this about Washington, I think emancipating his children, upon his death was mighty white of him.
I heard it said, Prince Whipple was the inspiration for "Jocko" the lawn jockey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN8vq7WBEkQ
But who knows when it comes to history.
For all we know 200years from now George W. Bush will be called the first president, all the other guys came before the Patriot act which made the original constitution as worthless as an Indian treaty.
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