Washington Crosses the Delaware

What happened

After a demoralizing string of defeats, on the night of 25–26 December 1776 George Washington led the Continental Army across the ice-choked Delaware River in a winter storm and surprised the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey, the next morning, capturing some 900 soldiers.

Why it matters

The victory at Trenton revived the sinking morale of the army and the cause at one of the war's darkest moments.

Sources

• George Washington's Mount Vernon. Crossing of the Delaware · Reputable source