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George Washington’s Christmas Victory
A Christmas Gift to America that Keeps on Giving
On the night of December 25, 1776, it was cold.
As icy winds cut through the tattered uniforms of the Continental Army, General George Washington stood among his men as they looked out across the Delaware River.
The war had not been kind to them. Months earlier, General Washington had nearly 20,000 men under his command. On this night, he could count on about 2,400. The men he had were low on supplies. Their spirits were dampened by recent losses. And they were cold. Very cold.
The British now had New York City and its surrounding region firmly within their control. Washington’s army had been beaten soundly. Many had been killed. Many captured. Many had deserted. Many of those who remained had enlistments scheduled to expire at year’s end.
Colonists were reaffirming their allegiance to the British crown. The colonial economy was in shambles. The war was over.
Except no one told that to General Washington.
Well, they probably did. But he wasn’t listening to them.
General Washington had a plan.
He was carrying out that plan on this night — Christmas Night 1776.
