GC17A33 1776 New Jersey Part 5 Washington's crossing (Traditional Cache) in New Jersey, United States created by mike380 adopted by riverrock19

This cache has been archived.

OReviewer: Hello,

As there's been no response to my earlier note, I am forced to archive this listing.

If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the near future, just contact me email, including the GC Code, and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

Thanks,
-OReviewer

GC17A33 ▼

A cache by mike380 adopted by riverrock19 Message this owner

Hidden : 11/10/2007

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Size: Size: regular (regular)

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The Summer Soilder and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. from The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776 ***** On December 25, 1776 the icy waters of the Delware river provided the setting for one of the pivotal events of the American Revolution. The continental army had little to celebrate that Christmas and seemed beat by hunger and cold. On November 21,1776 Washington moved south with the troops from Fort Lee, desperately ordering the rest of the troops, under Gerneral Lee in Westchester, NY, to join him. Lee probably seeing a chance to make himself look good in comparison to Washington wanting a independent command, acted very lackadaisically, and moved very slowly to join him. As Washington moved to Princeton. General Greene was faced with the advancing British and forceced to retreat, Joining Washington, the combined armys now moved to Trenton and then across the river. Washington had every boat that could be found moved to safety across to the Pennsylvania side. The scene was set for the Battle of Trenton. Lee continued to refuse to come to Washington, until he was captured in Basking Ridge, NJ, by Lt. Col. Harcourt leading the British dragoons, on Dec. 13th Under the leadership now of Sallivan, the troops then quickly made their way to Washington. At the same time, Gerneral Gates, had moved down from Fort Ticonderoga with 800 men to Washington's aid. Both units crossed the Delaware around Phillipsburg and reached Washington on the 20th of December. Along the river, von Donop was placed in charge of the Hessians, stationed at Burlington, Trenton and with posts at Mansfield Square and Black Horse Tavern. In Trenton, three regiments of Hessians, about one thousands men, were under the command of Colonel Rall. Rall was order to build field works needed to defend the town, but he did not Rall told one of his office who wanted to build redoubts. "let them come! On December 22, 1776 Washington had a staff meeting and decided to attack. The Hessians in Trenton were in an exposed position, and it was known that they would heartily celebrate Christmas on the night of December 25th. Washington decided on a predawn attack on the 26th, while the Troops and officers were tired, and hopefully some suffering hangovers. Washington ordered the troops ferried across just after dark, but a storm arose, first snow then freezing rain and hail. Washington aide, Col. John Fitzgerald wrote at 6pm the troops started across it is fearfully cold and raw and a snow storm setting in it will be a trouble night for those who have no shoes. Some of them have tied only rags about their feet. Col. Golver's reg't from Marablehead, Mass, who are primarily sailors, manned the boats at McKonkeys Ferry. They managed to get 2400 men, their horses and 18 cannons across the icy river. Delayed by the storm, Washington troops did not get across until 4am well behind schedule for a predawn attack. They marched south to trenton in two colunms, one along the river the other along Pennington road, with Gerenals Sullivan and Greene commanding, Washington commanding overall and riding with Greene. In a severe winter storm the troops advanced south, it is reported that two men froze to death, but Washington is determined. Gen. Sullivan sends words that the men's muskets will not fire due to being exposed to the storm all night. Washington sends word back to rely on the bayonet. "I am resolved to take Trenton". In Trenton, Hessian Major Dechow decided because of the servere storm not to send out the normal predawn patrol. Though the storm causes extreme misery for the troops, it allowed them to approach undetected. At 8am Washington party inquiers of a man chopping wood where the Hessian centries are, just outside of Trenton. He points to a nearby house, and the Hessians pore out and begin to open fire. The battle of Trenton is on. Moving Quickly both columns move in on the small town of Trenton. The Hessians are caught completely unprepared. Col. Rall, who was up late at night, is slow to awaken and dress. The Hessains officers tried to rally and form their troops, but the Americans moved to quickly for them. American cannons are placed on a rise that controls the two main streets of the town, and the Hessian formations are unable to form properly. They try to get some of their own cannons into action, but these are captured before they can do any damage. The Hessians move around in town trying to make a front, but some orders are misunderstood, and the von Knyphausen regiment is separated from the Rall and von Lossburg regiments. The Rall and von Lossberg hessian regiments are forced out of town and form in an apple orchard.Rall orders them to attack back in town, trying to force a hole to the road tn princeton. Now the hessians have wet guns from the storm, and a hard time firing. When they get again into the streets of the town, the American troops, joined by some civilians from the town fire at them from buildings and from behind trees and fences, causing conufusion. They retreat back to the orchard, but are surrounded by the fast moving Americans. The Hessian surrender. The third regiment of Hessians, on the south end of town, trying to get across the creek to head towards bordentown find themselves surrounded and surrender as well. Many Hessaians escape in small groups, but 868 are captured, 106 are killed or wonded. The American army lost perhaps 4 men wonded and 2 or 3 frozen to death, captured 1000 arms, several cannons and ammunition and stores. The fighting lasted only 90 minutes. About 600 Hessians, most of which had been stationed on the south side of the Creek, escaped. After the battle, Washington had the captured men and stores shipped across the river, then followed with the army across to Pennsylvania. von Donop, commanding at Burlington, learned of the battle from fleeing Hessians who had escaped. Their estimates of the size of the force with Washington were exaggerated. Rummors of attacks pending on them flew thick, based on partial spy reports of various plans of Washington, and the British forces all across the state were worried. von Donop moved first to Allentown, NJ, then to Princeton, to resist attacks that were just rummors. Washington had turned the tide.

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1776 New Jersey Part 5 Washington's crossing Traditional Geocache

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