Humpday History Highlight

By Wyatt Earp | December 3, 2008

Washington Passing The Delaware

Of course, no event will eclipse the birth of my daughter, but I need to post something before all of you stop reading this lame blog. So, here’s another edition of HHH:

December 3, 1776 – Washington Arrives At The Bank Of The Delaware

In a letter dated December 3, 1776, General George Washington writes to Congress from his headquarters in Trenton, New Jersey, to report that he had transported much of the Continental Army’s stores and baggage across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania.

In his letter Washington wrote, “Immediately on my arrival here, I ordered the removal of all the military and other stores and baggage over the Delaware, a great quantity are already got over, and as soon as the boats come up from Philadelphia, we shall load them, by which means I hope to have every thing secured this night and tomorrow if we are not disturbed.”

Washington then made the critical strategic move of confiscating and burning all the boats along the Delaware to prevent British troops from pursuing his beleaguered forces across the river. The British strategy of chasing Washington across New Jersey, rather than capturing his entire army in Manhattan, seemed to be a stroke of genius. As New Jersey was devastated at the hands of British forces and Washington’s men cowered in Pennsylvania, even staunch Patriots, including Thomas Jefferson, considered surrender to the crown. (H/T – History.com)

Stroke of genius. Exactly the phrase I would use to describe many of Washington’s actions.

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