14 Comments
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David Brumbaugh's avatar

I had first learned of this battle in grade school, a long time ago. The enormity of the action didn't really register for me then, as I had little idea of the logistics, the clothing that the American army had, or the equipment that was used. Now after all of these years, I am fully impressed with the audacity of the efforts.

Thank you, Tara Ross for lesson.

And Merry Christmas!

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Mike's avatar

I agree to what David B said. Until you experience life’s difficulties, I believe it is hard to really appreciate what solders had experienced before us. As a young person, it’s hard to appreciate the fullness of what was accomplished this day. Even the clothing material to brave the elements. We have all these new materials today to brave the elements today. What did they possess back in that day for warmth? Wool? We owe much to those brave souls who forged the path. Merry Christmas All.

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Johnny Baker Jr. MLA's avatar

Over the river and through the woods, to General Howe's camp we go...

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Jack Miller's avatar

Merry Christmas to everyone.

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Wally Firkins's avatar

Thank you Tara and Merry Christmas to you, your family and to all of your readers.

I agree, this is a great Christmas story and it deserves to be told every Christmas. Without Divine Providence and George Washington, where would we be?

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Charlie Kendall's avatar

Thank you Tara. Merry Christmas and thank you for your most excellent work!

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Karen Scofield's avatar

I'm so thankful for you,Tara, you bring History to Light.Happy Holidays to you and to your readers.🎄✨🎁❄️☃️

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Renée Martin's avatar

This illustrates the fortitude and perseverance of those who fight for the American dream.

Merry Christmas 🎅. And thank you Tara🎄

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Patty's avatar

I love reading about this no matter how many times you share it! Where would we and Washington be without Divine Providence? We all know and it wouldn’t be living in the land of the free! Merry Christmas!

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Samuel Vanderburg's avatar

What a merry Christmas the Continental Army gave to the new nation!

Merry Christmas everyone!

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Thomas Paine’s wisdom's avatar

“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. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: — ’Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to* BIND us in all cases whatsoever,” and if being bound in that manner*, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD.”

-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis I, Dec. 23, 1776

General Washington ordered the reading of Paine’s Crisis I to his troops before the dangerous crossing of the Delaware.—Editor

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Sika57's avatar

Divine Providence helped Washington escape from Howe, Divine Providence gave Washington a victory with 1/3 his force!!! We are truly a Nation under God! What a Christmas Miracle!! Can't wait for the rest of the story, Tara!

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glenna.p's avatar

What a glorious rendering for today! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

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Ali Sadjadi's avatar

It was an amazing and daring enterprise. John Glover’s New England fishermen were the heroes transporting artillery, horses and troops across. Sometimes I wished we could travel through time and witness events. It would be the one that I would love to see along with surrender of British troops at Yorktown. They made a movie about this a few years ago “Crossing” with Jeff Daniels as George Washington. It is a great movie but I don’t think it depicts the events accurately.

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