History in the Making

Thursday, December 25, 2014 8:24 pm | 2 Minute Read

George Washington, played by John Godzieba, standing center, holds onto his hat as he and his troops land in Titusville, N.J., after crossing the Delaware River during the 62nd annual reenactment of Washington’s daring 1776 crossing of the river — the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War — on Thursday, in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Washington Crosses Delaware — With Better Weather

George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Dec. 25 — with considerably better weather than the first time.

Re-enactors crossed the Delaware in the 62nd re-enactment of Washington’s daring 1776 crossing of the river — the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War — between Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Thursday afternoon.

As opposed to the snow and freezing temperatures that Washington and his troops faced in 1776, the re-enactors were greeted with sunny skies and 50-degree temperatures.

Hundreds of people lined both sides of the river to watch as re-enactors used four replica Durham boats like the ones Washington’s troops used. The actor playing Washington boarded the final boat, and a cannon blasted as he reached the other side.

During the original crossing, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river. Washington’s troops marched 8 miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton.

Thirty Hessians were killed, and two Continental soldiers froze to death on the march, but none died in battle.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the December 26th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.