Washington Crossing The Delaware Part 13

Sir, my men are _sea_ sailors, not river boatmen--it takes more than ice to scare them off!

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Good! Put some of them in every boat.

GLOVER

Yes, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

And you will take general charge of the entire fleet.

GLOVER

Very good, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Tell them to listen to General Knox's commands. He is the only one whose voice can be heard in this storm!

GLOVER

Very good, sir! (_going out_) This way, the Marblehead regiment! This way to the boats! (_mob_)

ANNOUNCER

For the next nine hours the difficult work of crossing the ice-filled river went forward. Colonel Glover and his regiment of seafaring men from Marblehead, Ma.s.sachusetts, performed almost miraculous service in landing every man, horse, and gun without losing anything!

It was five o'clock in the morning of December 26 when Was.h.i.+ngton, now on the Jersey sh.o.r.e of the river, turned to Knox--(_wind and crowd noise_)

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Has the last boatload landed, Knox?

KNOX

Yes, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

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.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

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 ragam.u.f.fin soldiers started its march toward Trenton--toward its last forlorn hope. Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton's detachment hurried back to report to the General.

CORPORAL

General Was.h.i.+ngton, we've sighted the enemy outpost.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Good! Halt the brigade, Knox.

KNOX

Brigade!

VOICES

Company--company! (_etc._)

KNOX

Halt!

WAs.h.i.+NGTON