God’s Hand Upon the Americans at the Battle of Trenton

What a marvelous vacation we had had but it was now coming to a close. On our last day in New Jersey we went to the Old Barracks Museum which was built in 1758 during the French and Indian War and then was also used during the Revolutionary War. Disease killed more soldiers than the war and smallpox was a very deadly one. At the Barracks they would give mass innoculations for smallpox.

During the Revolutionary War, the Barracks first housed the British soldiers but then on December 26, 1776, when General George Washington’s troops marched into Trenton, they moved out and in January 1777, the American soldiers moved in.

Once again, the tour guides were very passionate and educated about their topic.

After leaving the Old Barracks, we visited the Johnson Ferry House and the Delaware where General George Washington crossed with the troops in December 1776.

There is a bridge you can walk that takes you across the Delaware River – from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.

The crossing of the Delaware and the events surrounding it are incredibly fascinating. I’ll try to give it to you in a nutshell.

Up until December 1776, the Americans had not won a battle. The men’s spirits were flagging, men were deserting and a great many of the soldier’s enlistments were due at the beginning of 1777 and everyone knew the soldiers would not re-enlist.

General Washington became desperate.

Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called The American Crisis which was published on December 19. General George Washington ordered that it be read to all his troops.

“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” –Thomas Paine

As I said, Washington was desperate and knew he needed to hear from God.

 

The Delaware River

The soldiers and equipment crossed the Delaware on this type of ferry barge.

The famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze.

After the soldiers had crossed the icy Delaware on December 25, 1776, they were ordered not to light a fire. It was going to be a surprise attack on the troops in Trenton – about 11 miles away

This is the Johnson Ferry House where the officers gathered to discuss plans – and most likely this included Washington. The soldiers would have been camped in the open area and fields around the house

“Christmas, 6 P.M….It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow-storm setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet, but I have not heard a man complain….I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now….He stands on the bank of the stream, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet and cuts like a knife….” from the diaries of Colonel John Fitzgerald

There are signs there near the Ferry House that say, “The Bloody Trail to Freedom” because not many of the soldiers had shoes as you read above, and you could follow their path by their bloody footprints.

I had to get a picture at this hearth. Just to think of the history here!! At one time, the owner Garret and Judith Jansen lived here with 12 children and this is not a large house!  The fires that would have been made to cook food for the officers and all 6′ of George Washington  standing here warming himself, discussing plans with his men is exciting to think about.

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Look how they minimized space with their circular staircase. Steep and narrow.

And the rest of the history of that momentous night and day of December 25 & 26, 1776…

The battle at Trenton was won and shortly after, two more battles were won, including one at Princeton.

France was at this time ready to send its troops over the ocean to support the Americans but they wouldn’t do it until we had won a battle. But now, after these victories, they would be sent.

The Battle at Trenton was thereafter recognized as “The Turning Point of the American Revolution.”

An incredible story and one showing God’s hand.

They had this quote displayed at the Ferry House that I thought excellent. Samuel Adams said, “While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader…. “

And there ends my journal of our trip to New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Thank you for coming along with me as I recounted our memorable and amazing trip.