From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 175
honored soldier in a just and righteous cause; and without begging my life or making reply, I lunged with my
sword at the nearest man. They then bayoneted and left me."
Washington did not pursue the enemy far, nor push on to Brunswick. Most of his troops had been two days
and nights without sleep, and they were completely exhausted, so that further engagements without rest were
preposterous. He determined to go into winter quarters at Morristown, and marched directly to that place.
Stopping at Pluckamin to rest his soldiers for a short time, he wrote to General Putnam:
"The enemy appear to be panic-struck. I am in hopes of driving them out of the Jerseys. Keep a strict watch
upon the enemy. A number of horsemen, in the dress of the country, must be kept constantly going backward
and forward for this purpose."
Occupying the mountainous region of Morristown, and reinforcing his little army, he harassed the enemy to
such an extent that Cornwallis was forced to draw in all his out-posts, so that his land communication with
New York was completely cut off.
Hamilton wrote: "The extraordinary spectacle was presented of a powerful army, straitened within narrow
limits by the phantom of a military force, and never permitted to transgress those limits with impunity."
The British were driven out of the Jerseys at every point except Amboy and Brunswick, and the remarkable
exploit awakened the wonder, and admiration of even our enemies. Everywhere that the achievements of
Washington, from Dec. 25, 1776, to Jan. 3, 1777, were made known, his fame was greatly augmented. No
such bold and glorious deeds could be found in the annals of military renown. This was the verdict of the
country; and from that moment the American cause grew stronger.
From that day to this the battles of Trenton and Princeton, including the crossing and recrossing of the
Delaware, have been accorded the brightest pages of history by writers of every age. It is said that Frederick
the Great of Prussia declared that the deeds of Washington, in the ten days specified, "were the most brilliant
of any in the annals of military achievements."
The Italian historian, Botta, wrote:
"Achievements so stirring gained for the American commander a very great reputation, and were regarded
with wonder by all nations, as well as by the Americans. The prudence, constancy, and noble intrepidity of
Washington were admired and applauded by all. By unanimous consent, he was declared to be the saviour of
his country; all proclaimed him equal to the most renowned commanders of antiquity, and especially
distinguished him by the name of the 'American Fabius.' His name was in the mouths of all; he was celebrated
by the pens of the most distinguished writers. The most illustrious personages of Europe lavished upon him
their praises and their congratulations."
Washington continued in his winter quarters at Morristown until near the close of May. Learning that a British
fleet of a hundred transports, bearing eighteen thousand soldiers, had sailed from New York, and suspecting
that Philadelphia was the place of its destination, he broke up his camp and marched toward that city. His
whole force was but seven thousand three hundred men.
While encamped at Morristown, Washington found that the Lord's Supper would be celebrated by the
Presbyterian Church on a certain Sabbath. He called upon the pastor, Dr. Johns, and inquired:
"Does it accord with the canons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination?"
"Most certainly," the doctor answered; "ours is not the Presbyterian table, General Washington, but the Lord's
table; and hence we give the Lord's invitation to all His followers, of whatever name."