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Of what advantages would Howe be likely to avail himself, to seize Philadelphia?

Why would such an event be then peculiarly disastrous ? What plan did Washington then form?

By how many divisions of his anny?

What night was chosen to comnience the expedition ?-Why?" How many divisions were unable to cross the river?

What prevented?

Who conducted the other division?

Of how many men?

How high above Trenton did they cross the Delaware ?

In how many columns, did they march to Trenton ?

How nearly at the same time, did the two columns begin the attack?

What if there had been half an hour's difference in the times of their arrival?

What leader was cut down at the commencement of the action? Effect upon his men?

What was the issue?
How

many of the enemy escaped?

The existing army, except a few re- Dec. 25th was wisely chosen for giments from Va. Pa. Md. and N.Y. the commencement of this expediaffording an effective force of abonttion, as the excesses of Christmas would doubtless, render the enemy less vigilant and active the next

1500 men, would dissolve in a few days. New Jersey had in a great measure, submitted, and the mili-morning, than any other morning tia of Pa. had not displayed the in the year. alacrity expected from them. Gen. This great design, however, was Howe would, most probably, avail executed but in part. Two divihimself of the ice, which was to be sions of the army under Generals expected, and of the dissolution of Cadwallader and Irvine, toiled and the American army, to pass the toiled and toiled in vain, in atDelaware, and seize Philadelphia. tempting to cross the Delaware.This event was dreaded, not only The piercing cold, the storm and on account of its intrinsic inport-tempest of mingled rain and hail ance at any time, but on account of and snow, together with the floatits peculiar importance at this, whening ice, with which the river was that army was to be recruited, on deeply loaded, baffled all their efwhich the future hopes of America forts, and drove them most relucwere to rest, and which was to de-tantly to their camps. cide her destiny. It was feared, and with reason, that this event would make so unfavorable an imPssion on the public mind, as to deter the American youth from engaging in a contest, becoming desperate.

At this awful crisis, Washington formed the plan of passing the river, and attacking several British posts at the same time. This was intended to be done by three divisions of army crossing the river in diffent places. The night of

Not so with the other division, which consisted of Washington himself, with 24 hundred of his choicest spirits. In spite of the war of elements, in spite of every obstacle, they were enabled by the good hand of their God upon them, to cross the river; though much more time was requisite, than had been anticipated. At 4 in the morning, they were ready to commence their march of nine miles down to Trenton. This they did in two columns, by two roads, in

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How many were killed?
How many of our men were killed?
How many chilled to death?
What river did W. then cross?
In what city did he soon display
his captives?

Arross what creek, did Wash.. ing on withdraw?

Where did he encamp?

What satisfaction did Cornwallis

enjoy?

For what place, did W. march

How were the Philadelphians.f-that night ?-At what time?

fected?

Where did W. soon concetrate his forces?

With what design?

What conspired to rouse the British to oppose?

Who soon arrived at Trenton with superior forces, to attack Washington?

Why did he take an indirect, circuitous route? To avoid being discovered.

Was the battle at Trenton, or that at Princeton most severe ? How many men did the British lose ?-The Americans?

Which way is Princeton from Trenton ?-How far? 10 miles.

dent to remain in the vicinity of hostile forces, much superior to his own. He, therefore, collected his 1000 captives, with the booty he had taken, and hastened back across the Delaware. Passing on to Philadelphia, he exhibited them to the admiring and enraptured gaze of the people, marching through the

der to attack the enemy at different points. Washington at the head of his column, took the eastern road; and at 8 o'clock, attacked and drove in the guard upon that road. In three minutes, he had the satisfaction to hear the guns of the column, that had taken the river road. Their arriving so nearly at the same time, was a most wonder-streets with arms and banners disful smile of Providence. Had there played. At first, however, many been one half hour's difference, the of the Philadelphians could not beexpedition might have ended in de- lieve it a reality. They thought it feat and destruction to the Ameri-impossible, that German warriors should have been overcome by A

can cause.

be a mere stratagem of the enemy. "But when they were satisfied, that the spectacle was not an illu sion, words cannot describe their exultation." Having at first rated the Hessians far above the English, they now considered them as much below.

At so late an hour in the morn-mericans. They concluded, it must ing, Col. Rawle was prepared with his Hessians, to give our men a warm reception. Though attacked in two places almost at the same moment, the defence might have been obstinate, and the contest tremendous, if that gallant officer had not been cut down by a death-blow, at the very commencement of the action. This instantly threw his troops into confusion; and very soon nearly 1000 laid down their arms, while 500 had the good fortune to escape. About 20 of the Hessians were killed, and only two of our men; though two others were frozen or chilled to death.

Having given his war-worn, we therbeatentroops, two or three days to refresh themselves, Washington again crossed the Delaware, and concentrated his principal forces at Trenton, with the design of making farther inroads upon the enemy.

But shame, vengeance and ambition now conspired to rouse the Washington did not think it pru-British energies to crush the rebels.

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forewarned Cornwallis of this very event. "If Washington," said he "is the general, I take him to be, his army will not be found on its present ground in the morning Washington's danger doubtless appeared as great to himself, as it did to Erskine. Continuance on the Assumpink could hardly fail of proving the death or capture of evcry one of his men. To retreat over the Delaware, without strik

Cornwallis, though on the point of embarking for England, hurried back to the defence of N. J. He soon collected all the forces in his power, to attack Washington at Trenton, and with part of his troops, arrived at that metropolis Jan. 2, 1777. The situation of Washington was now perhaps more critical than ever. Forces greatly superior to his own, infuriated to madness, were ready to attack him, and it seemed impossible, that being a single blow, appeared ignoshould escape. He withdrew across the Assumpink, and encamped on the S. E. side of Trenton.

minious, and would also be attended with extreme peril from ice and enemies. He, therefore, determined to march to Princeton, and attack the few British soldiers, that he expected to find there. This he did with a success not less glorious, than his victory at Trenton. The battle was much more severe. The

rious, and the British routed, except about 300 captured and 100 slain. The Americans had nearly 100 slain; among whom, was the worthy and much lamented Scot, Gen. Mercer.

And now Cornwallis enjoys the solid comfort of anticipating the tremendous attack determined upon the American camp, the next morning, and the dreadful discomfiture to ensue. He exults in the prospect of wiping away the horrid dis-Americans were completely victograce of Dec. 26, and of consigning the rebels and their cause to speedy and everlasting infamy. At break of day, his troops are roused and harnessed for the onset. A few British soldiers find it very easy and safe to pass the Assumpink, and survey the place of the American camp. No Washington, no army, not a single American soldier was there. At that moment, Wash-relieve his troops at Princeton.ington had completed the greater part of his long and circuitous march to Princeton. About one o'clock at night, his army had withdrawn from the banks of the Assumpink so silently, so cautiously, that not one of the enemy seems to have mistrusted their departure. This is the more astonishing, as Sir William Erskine is said to have

When Cornwallis perceived that the Americans had left the Assumpink, he immediately mistrusted their destination, and hastened to

But his subtle adversary, having finished his work of death and capture, was out of his reach; and the "old fox," that he had so doated upon catching, had safely and gloriously escaped. Washington proceeded to Pluckemin, about 25 miles N. of Princeton, where his troops were allowed to take that rest, which they so much needed. Some

§ During what period, was the firmness of Congress peculiarly manifested ?†

What idea would they not admit for a moment?

Of what measure, were they constrained to think, when Cornwallis approached Philadelphia?

With what, did their exertions seem to increase?

What despondence did they seek to remove?-How?

Whom did they make the most strenuous efforts to animate?

Meaning of militia ?

To what city, did Congress then adjourn?

Upon whom, did they confer a most unlimited powers? For how long?

What resolution did they adopt at the time of their lowest depres $sion?

To whom, did they send it?
By whom, was it published?
How were Congress affected with

that?

nations shared in the surprise of the Americans; all equally admir constancy and the noble intrepid. ity of Washington. A unanimous voice pronounced him the savior of his country; all extolled him as equal to the most celebrated commanders of antiquity, all proclaimed him the Fabius of America."

† NOTE G. G. Magnanimous Patriotism of the Congress of '76.

This note is taken principally from Marshall's life of Washington.

of them had had scarcely a moment's repose for 60 Irours. In a few days, he took up his wintered and applauded the prudence, the quarters at Morristown, and continued there till the last of May.. "The bold, judicious and unexpected attacks, made at Trenton and Princeton," says Marshall, "by an enemy believed to be vanquished, had an influence on the fate of the war, much more extensive in its consequences, than, from a mere estimate of the killed and taken, would have been supposed. They saved Philadelphia for the present winter; they recovered N. J. and, which was of still more importance, they revived the drooping spirits of America, and gave a sensible impulse to the recruiting service throughout the U.S." These achievements" were represented and considered as great victories. They were believed by the body of the people, to evidence the superiority of their army and their gene-dangers which threatened them, ral. The opinion, that they were engaged in a hopeless contest, yielded to a confidence, that proper exertions on their part, would be crowned with ultimate success."

The Italian historian Botta, is the recorder of still higher praise. "Achievements so astonishing, acquired an immense glory for the Captain General of the U.S. All

"The firmness, manifested by Congress, throughout the gloomy and trying period, which interven. ed between the loss of Fort Washington and the battle of Princeton, gives the members of that period just claim to the admiration of the world, and to the gratitude of their fellow citizens. Unawed by the

and regardless of personal safety, they did not for an instant admit the idea, that the independence they had declared was to be surrendered, and peace to be purchased, by returning to their ancient colonial situation. As the British army approached Philadelphia, they were constrained to think of adjourning to a place more remote from the seat

CHAPTER LV.-p. 144.

Which way is Danbury from N.
Haven ?

Battle of Chad's Ford.-Capture
of Philadelphia-Battle of
Germantown.Battle of Ben-
nington-Battles of Stillwa-he land his troops?
ter.-Surrender of Burgoyne.
How large was the continental
army at the opening of the cam-
paign of '77?

§ With what force did Gen.Howe
embark for the Chesapeak?
At the head of what river, did

Near the close of what month, did Washington quit Morristown? Where had the British army wintered?

How far from Morristown? 25 miles.-Which way?

§ At what town in Ct. had the British destroyed a great quantity of stores, in April?

How many persons did they murder at Danbury?

What did they do with their bodies?

In what month?

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Near what place? Elkton. Which way from Philadelphia ? How far? About 50 miles. What was the design of Howe? What movement did Washington make to prevent it?

Near what river, did they soon come to a battle?

What is that battle generally called? Battle of Brandywine. More proper name? Battle of Chad's Ford.

Why? Because Chad's Ford, the place of the battle, is much more definite, than Brandywine, which is a river of considerable length.

which were almost unlimited."

At the time of their lowest de

of war. But their exertions seemed to increase with their difficulties, They sought to remove the despon-pression, with the most gloomy and

appalling prospects before them, they again adopted the solemn resolution never to submit to Britain.

dence, which was seizing and paralizing the public mind, by an address to the States, in which every argument was suggested, which Copies of these resolutions were could rouse them to vigorous action. sent to the principal courts of EuThey made the most strenuous cf-rope; and proper persons were ap forts to animate the militia, and impel them to the field, by the agency of those, whose popular eloquence best fitted them for such a

service.

pointed to solicit their friendship. These despatches fell into the hands of the British, and by them were published. In this, our great political fathers rejoiced, though perWhen reassembled at Balti-haps without much feeling of grati more, to which they had adjourned,tude to the enemy for this friendly their resolutions exhibited no evi- act of hostility. They rejoiced that dence of confusion or dismay; and all Britain should know, and that the most judicious efforts were made, the world should know their fixed by collecting, as soon as possible, determination never again to think military force, to repair the mis-of submitting to the yoke of depenchief of past errors. That the war might be carried on with greater vigor, they authorized Washington to raise 16 additional regiments, and conferred upon him, for six months, powers for the conduct of the war,

dence. There is no doubt, that this resolution, thus made and thus published, had a happy influence to induce the French openly to unite with us in fighting for our indepen-į dence.

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