George Washington Crossing

Entitled Washington crossing the Delaware River. George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, which occurred on the night of December 25-26,... more

by Science Source

Title

George Washington Crossing

Artist

Science Source

Medium

Photograph

Description

Entitled "Washington crossing the Delaware River". George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, which occurred on the night of December 25-26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by George Washington against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey on the morning of December 26. Planned in partial secrecy, Washington led a column of Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware River in a logistically challenging and dangerous operation. Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from surprising and defeating the troops of Johann Rall quartered in Trenton. The army crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time laden with prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle. George Washington (February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States of America, serving from 1789 to 1797, and dominant military and political leader of the United States from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was hailed as "father of his country" even during his lifetime. Washington had a vision of a great and powerful nation that would be built on republican lines using federal power. He sought to use the national government to preserve liberty, improve infrastructure, open the western lands, promote commerce, found a permanent capital, reduce regional tensions and promote a spirit of American nationalism. He died in 1799 at the age of 67. Reproduction of painting by Henry Mosler, 1912.

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December 14th, 2015