America's Minute

“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.” -Thomas Paine

Christmas is a time for hot chocolate, Christmas movies, and sitting close to a warm fire. But Christmas looked very different for George Washington 245 years ago. On December 25, 1776, Washington and his Continental Army Crossed the icy Delaware River in the middle of the night.

So why did Washington cross the river on a bitter Christmas night?? It wasn’t just to get to the other side.

Washington had planned a surprise attack on a garrison of soldiers near Trenton, New Jersey. He hoped that they could catch the Hessians off guard while they were celebrating Christmas. The trek to Trenton was brutal on Washington’s Army. Many of the soldiers didn’t have adequate winter clothing and some didn’t even have shoes.

That same December, Thomas Paine published an influential pamphlet called “The American Crisis”.

Paine’s words, “THESE are the times that try men’s souls” couldn’t have been truer for Washington’s Army on that historic Christmas night.

Paine’s words go on to say, “…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”

Paine was saying that many who called themselves Patriots would fall away from the cause when things got tough. In other words, there would be many “fair weathered friends” who would fail to rise to the occasion. Conquering tyranny would be a challenge unlike any other.

Washington’s army was beginning to understand the weight of these words. Crossing the frozen Delaware River in frigid temps was just half the battle. It was crucial that Washington secure a victory in Trenton. A win would allow the Patriot’s cause to continue. However, a loss would mean the end of the war and Washington would be hung for treason.

It was “Victory or Death” for Washington and his Army. That slogan became the motto of the attack.

Washington’s Army blind-sided the Hessians early in the morning of December 26^th. The attack on Trenton was a quick and triumphant victory.

This win boosted the spirits of the Continental Army and encouraged other Patriots to enlist in the cause.

Once again, Thomas Paine’s words rang true, “yet we have this consolation with us, That the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

The Battle of Trenton is considered one of the turning points of the American Revolutionary War. Today, we can still admire their grit, perseverance, and loyalty to the Patriot’s cause. Their story inspires us to stand strong, even when we’re faced with what may seem to be insurmountable odds.