BOOK REVIEW: THE CROSSING

The Crossing: How George Washington Saved the American Revolution by Jim Murphy, Scholastic Press, New York, 2010.

This book not only covers the crossing of the Delaware, and the Battle of Trenton it gives a brief summary of the military career of George Washington, and why he was the commander of the U.S. forces, as well as a history of the Revolutionary War up to that point.  This includes the failures in New York, and then the wintering at Valley Forge.  A victory was badly needed, and it was obtained by stealth at Trenton.  Although the stirring painting with Washington standing is probably unrealistic, it does catch the mood at the time.  It also includes an African American rower.
        Washington would later recross the river, establish himself on higher ground and wait for Cornwallis to advance with the British.  Washington only had 3300 men as a third of his men had left service when they time commitment was up.  However sharpshooters were able to slow the advance of Cornwallis and his much larger force while Washington and his men dug themselves in.  swollen rivers and fighting from behind entrenched positions the American forces were able to hold the British at bay.
    Then during the night the Americans snuck away to attack Princeton, the British base.  This resulted in some very intense fighting, and if nothing more a great moral victory for the Americans.  The Americans were able to leave the scene of battle.  After this the British only maintained token forces in New Jersey.  The moral booster for the American side lead to greater recruiting, and shortly there were 17,000 men in Washington's command. 
This book is very enjoyable.  It is written at a youth level but is still very good.

Movie Review: ***^The Crossing

This is the crossing of the Delaware by the troops of George Washington on Christmas of 1776.  This movie is a made for t.v. movie and stares Jeff Daniels as General Washington.  I must admit I had not realized how desperate the plight of General Washington was at the time.  He had just barely escaped into Pennsylvania as he retreated form New York, and had put the Delaware River between he and the pursuing British, supported by Hessian mercenaries.  He had gone into winter quarters at Valley Forge, and everyone expected him to sit out the winter there.  However the British were just waiting for the river to freeze over so they could continue their pursuit.  At this time there were 20,000 British, compared with Washington's 2000, who were poorly armed, and lacked munitions and food.  It was a desperate time, and in short, the fate of the federal army depended on the outcome of this battle.

General Washington was able to keep his movements a secret from the Hessian forces at Trenton, and they did catch them by surprise Christmas morning.  The result was the elimination of a force of 1200, with 300 killed and 900 captured, with no casualties on the par of the federals.  It was truly a miracle, and the cannon and arms taken from the fort there, resupplied the federal forces, so they could live and fight another day.  Never would the federal forces be as depleted again.  Even though the was would continue for seven more years, this was a turning point that changed history.

I enjoyed this movie, but I love history, as well as love to watch Jeff Daniels act.  It was fun the play he had with his generals as well.