PAGE 11
Washington Crossing the Delaware
by
WASHINGTON
Has the last boatload landed, Knox?
KNOX
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Call the men to attention.
KNOX
(
calling
)
Call your men to attention!
VOICES
Company–company!
(
etc.
)
Attention! First regiment is formed, sir, second
–(
etc.
)
KNOX
The men are formed, sir.
WASHINGTON
Men, we are about to start upon our most important offensive. Upon the results of our efforts this morning depends the outcome of our struggle for liberty and independence.
I shall take the first brigade and half the artillery with me down the Pennington road. The rest of the detachment under command of General Green will take the river road. It should take us about four hours to reach the outposts of Trenton. Now, it is necessary for us to attack simultaneously, so will the officers all set their watches with mine. It is now just five o’clock and ten minutes. At nine o’clock, attack!
Let every man march quietly, keep in good order in the ranks, give prompt obedience to his officers, and bear in mind the watchword–
Victory or Death!
March your men off!
VOICES
First Regiment–Second Regiment–Company–Company–
(
etc.
)
ANNOUNCER
Thus, on that cold and stormy December morning, the half frozen, desperate band of ragamuffin soldiers started its march toward Trenton–toward its last forlorn hope. Washington prayed that he might catch the garrison of Hessians unsuspecting and unprepared; but he feared that he had taken so long to effect the crossing of the ice-filled river that he could not surprise the enemy!
As a matter of fact, warning was sent to Colonel Rall,
but that officer, secure in his belief that no effective
force of Colonial soldiers could be sent against him,
paid no attention to the warning.
It was nearly nine o’clock when the Corporal of the
advance guard of Washington’s detachment hurried back
to report to the General.
CORPORAL
General Washington, we’ve sighted the enemy outpost.
WASHINGTON
Good! Halt the brigade, Knox.
KNOX
Brigade!
VOICES
Company–company!
(
etc.
)
KNOX
Halt!
WASHINGTON
It lacks five minutes of the time set! Oh, Corporal–
CORPORAL
Yes, sir?
WASHINGTON
Did you see any sign of
General Green’s command on the river road?
CORPORAL
We saw ’em a half hour ago,
sir, as we came over that hill back there.
WASHINGTON
Were they abreast of us?
CORPORAL
Yes, sir, a little ahead of us, sir.
WASHINGTON
Good. General Knox.
KNOX
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
This storm has likely ruined the flintlocks.
KNOX
No doubt of that, sir–we’ll have to use bayonets.
WASHINGTON
Order bayonets fixed, and the troops
deployed ready to charge bayonets on command.
KNOX
Brigade, fix bayonets!
(
voices repeat order, etc.
)
Shall the artillery lead or follow, sir?
WASHINGTON
Follow and take position at the head of every street.
KNOX
Very good, sir.
WASHINGTON
Hm–two minutes–order the troops deployed.
KNOX
Deploy your troops–prepare to charge bayonets!
(
command repeated–mob noise as order is obeyed
)
WASHINGTON
Keep your ears open for firing–it’s nearly time.
(
musketry
)
KNOX
There it is, sir!
WASHINGTON
Green has started! Order the charge, Knox! And God be with us!
KNOX
Forward! Charge bayonets! Ho!
(
a great roar from the mob as the charge begins
)
ANNOUNCER
So Washington and his men swept into the village of Trenton, catching the Hessians totally unprepared! In an hour and a half it was all over. The disposed army of ragamuffins put the Hessians to rout! It was the first great American victory of the Revolution, and its effect was enormous. The discouraged Colonists suddenly received new heart. Hope for the cause of independence had a rebirth, and Washington, instead of fighting a losing battle alone, found himself the leader of his countrymen in fact, as well as in name! In crossing the Delaware, Washington had saved the cause of American independence!