From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 170
BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON.
Washington was so anxious for the safety of Philadelphia, that he appointed General Putnam to command the
post, with instructions to fortify the city at once. At the same time he advised Congress to remove to
Baltimore; and that body, after hastily completing the business before them, adjourned to meet in the latter
city on the 20th of December.
By this time his army numbered about five thousand available men. One thousand militia from New Jersey,
and fifteen hundred from Pennsylvania, with five hundred Germans from the latter State, was a very
encouraging increase of his worn and wasted army. Then he had word that General Gates was coming on with
seven regiments detached by Schuyler from the northern department. Washington was hopeful again, and
began to plan an attack upon the enemy.
Before Congress adjourned to meet at Baltimore, they clothed Washington with unusual powers. They voted:
"Until Congress orders otherwise, General Washington shall be possessed of all power to order and direct all
things relative to the department and to the operations of war."
In the days of ancient Rome, such power would have constituted him a military dictator. It was conferred in
answer to a remarkable communication from Washington himself, one of the most able, practical, and faithful
public documents extant, in which he said:
"It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty to adopt these measures or advise
thus freely. A character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the inestimable blessings of liberty at stake, and a life
devoted, must be my excuse."
Washington immediately recruited three battalions of artillery. He promised those whose time of enlistment
had expired an increase of twenty-five per cent to their pay if they would remain, and ten dollars bounty for
six weeks' service. "It is no time to stand upon expense," he said.
On the 20th of December, General Sullivan arrived with Lee's army. The men were in a bad plight, many of
them sick and exhausted, others ragged and desponding. On the same day, also, General Gates arrived with
the remnants of four regiments from the Northern army.
"Now is our time to strike a blow that shall put heart into the friends of our cause," said Washington to
General Greene.
"I am at your service in any enterprise that will do that," answered Greene. "Explain."
"I propose an immediate attack upon the enemy," said Washington.
"Well, there is no cowardice in that proposition," remarked Greene. "To recross the Delaware that is filled
with ice, and attack the enemy in his own camp, this wintry weather, is worthy of the commander-in-chief of
the American army."
"Howe has gone into winter quarters in New York," continued Washington. "His troops are scattered about
loosely, because he thinks the rebel army is powerless. Cornwallis has left our front, and returned to New
York. The Hessians are stationed along the Delaware, facing us, and are thinking more of a good time,
probably, in this Christmas season, than they are of us. It is a good time to surprise them."
"Perhaps so," answered Greene. "How about crossing the river with so much floating ice in it?"