After the discouraged Continental Army had been driven out of New Jersey, an article titled “The American Crisis” was published on December 23, 1776 in the Pennsylvania Journal. Written by Thomas Paine, General George Washington ordered it be read to the troops:
“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… 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…
Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it…”
In a brave but desperate act, General Washington crossed the dangerous ice-filled Delaware River in the freezing cold on Christmas Day evening, December 25, 1776, and attacked the feared Hessian mercenary troops at Trenton. Armed only with the advantage of surprise, Washington captured nearly 1,000 Hessians and, ten days later, captured 3,000 British at Princeton – decisive turning points in the war.
The circumstances of these dramatic events had a profound impact on George Washington for the rest of his life. He was deeply affected by them and was moved years later to write that, “The Hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
