patrick.net

Patrick,

Thank you for posting this. George Washington was truly a great man and leader. It is a travesty that the average American knows so little about this giant of a man.

While the Battle of Trenton is often portrayed only by the crossing of the Delaware, the actual battle itself is often overlooked. After the night crossing was accomplished, with great peril, the weather turned against them. Heavy rain turned to freezing sleet, which hampered the poorly clothed troops as they marched through the night for 9 miles. Try to imagine that! Then, after marching all night, freezing, poorly fed and with much of their gunpowder compromised due to the wet conditions, they were ordered to attack the Hessians. When the men complained that their gunpowder was wet, Washington ordered them, if need be, to use their bayonets. They obeyed and the successful surprised attack followed. Trenton was a rather small battle, but it was extremely important, as it provided a great lift in moral for the Revolutionary Army.

I'm forced to wonder what kind of men these were? Their sacrifices, not only at Trenton, but throughout the war, against all odds, are legion. If they could see what America has become, what would they think of the country that they sacrificed their lives to help create? I know one thing for sure; Washington would fall on his knees and weep.