Welcome my friends glad you dropped by to listen to a Christmas story as told by Fish. It is historically correct and I felt it was apporiate as we seem to forget as years go by.The setting is Christmas 1776 on the  banks of the Delaware.

In 1776 the cause of the American Liberty seemed lost. George Washington's army was in retreat. On December 2nd what was left of the army reached Trenton on the banks of the Delaware. They were baddly in need of clothes, many were barefoot. They needed blankets to keep their body warm and an inspiration to warm their spirits.

There were about 6000 soliders  almost naked, cold ,tired and it seemed without hope left in the Army. To make matters worse the enlistments were almost up.Come Janurary 1st there would only be about 2000 soliders left. In the meantime there were 1000 Hessian Germany soliders, who were considered to be the best fighting soliders in the world, at Trenton under command of  Col Johann Rall. It all seemed hopeless moral was crumbling. George Washington wrote his brother "If every nerve is not strained to recuit the New Army with all possible expedition I think the game is prety near up"

Thomas Paine was the author of  pamplet called "Common Sense" and on December 19th he wrote a new article  called"the American Crisis." "These are the times that try mens souls. The summer solider and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country;but he that stands it now deserves the thanks of man and woman. 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 repluse it."

George Washington  knowing this was his last chance planned an attack on Trenton. Where Colonel Rall and his troop were at. Colonel Rall was so confinent that, they would win the war shortly ,he did not even prepare Trenton for a defense. Actually he spent the night drtinking and playing cards. A locao farmer came to warn him of the Patriots that were on the way. But he chose to ignore the warning.

Next came a 9 mile march to Trenton through freezing rain wind and hail. The Patriots marched ,some tied old rags around their feet, some were bare footed, many a bloody foot print was left in the snow. In all 900 of the Hessian soliders were captured . Colonel  Rall  was fatility wounded  all this with just a loss of 2 Patriots and several wounded. Colonel Henry  Knox wrote to his wife "The hurry, fright, and  confusion of the enemy was{not} unlike that which wll be when the last trump shall sound"

One week later Washington and his soliders would score another victory against the British at Princeton. So as we celebrate the birth of our savior this year let us not forget that our country THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA has been blessed by the presence of  our fore fathers who had a deep belief in God and  Country. And maybe take just a minute to share with our childrn and grand children the Christmas  story of 1776.

George washington took about 2400 soliders and began to crossing the Delaware River at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas day. At 3:00 a.m. the 26 of December the last solider set foot on soil. After fighting an ice choked river as well as sleet and snow.

fish16

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