So was it a merry ole time, George Washington’s Christmas Day of 1776? Was there a table loaded with rich foods, with beautifully clothed people gathered around as they ate and sang the songs of Christmas with the great General and his family?

No, it was nothing like that. It was desperate times for the Patriot cause. General Washington’s army was at an all time low in numbers and as well in morale. British General Howe had landed troops on Long Island, New York, and completely pushed the Continental Army through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. During the retreat Washington’s army had lost valuable supplies and by this time only had four to six thousand men, with at least 1,600 who needed hospitalization.

It was the British who merrily celebrated the Christmas season in 1776. General Howe had assigned Hessian mercenary troops to man the Delaware River area in and around Trenton, New Jersey; therefore the bulk of the British forces remained in now captured New York where the wine flowed and beautiful women danced with them the night away.

Although General Washington had a heavy toll upon his shoulders, he persisted. The recent losses in New York, the flight of his army, and the upcoming Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where many were in doubt as to a Patriot victory, all laid heavy upon his heart, yet he still believed in the cause.

When all seemed at loss for the Continental cause, a new pamphlet appeared, which had been written by Thomas Paine. Within the pamphlet were these words:

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.

Within a day of its publication in Philadelphia, General Washington ordered it to be read to all of the troops. By this reading, the soldiers were encouraged. The numbers deserting lessened and many who had deserted previously returned to the army.

Now it was time to take action.

A bold move was needed and the planning began on the morning of Dec. 23. The target was Trenton. Washington’s spies reported that little to no Hessian troops were seen guarding the barracks. The majority of the men were drunk and partying. This was the place and the time to move forward.

Much preparation had to be done in a short period of time. The Patriots must cross the Delaware River under the cover of darkness. On the morning of Dec. 25, General Washington ordered his army to prepare food for three days and make certain their guns and ammunition ready.

By 6 p.m. the troops began loading the boats at McKonkey’s Ferry. The weather became progressively worst, turning from drizzle to rain to sleet and snow. Washington’s chief of artillery, Henry Knox, was in charge of transporting thousands of troops, plus horses and eighteen pieces of artillery over the treacherous river.

General Washington was among the first to cross. The time is depicted in George Caleb Bingham’s rendering George Washington Crossing the Delaware. The painting is currently displayed at The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Minnesota.

The river crossing was completed by 3 a.m. on Dec 26, hours later than had been planned, however, the troops immediately marched on Trenton, New Jersey, and that great Patriot victory has been recorded down through the great battles of history.

This year of 2017, as we celebrate this wonderful Christmas time with our friends and family, it is most appropriate to remember that Christmas Day of 1776. Because of those courageous soldiers, we have the honor and blessing to celebrate our freedom. Today, we must not forget.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her website: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.