On the night of December 25, 1776, General George Washington led about 2,400 Continental Army soldiers across the ice-choked Delaware River from Pennsylvania into New Jersey. The crossing took place during a storm and required moving men, horses, and artillery on flat-bottomed boats. Washington aimed to surprise the Hessian garrison at Trenton, which many believed would be unprepared after Christmas celebrations. The next morning, his forces attacked and captured the Hessians in a short battle. The victory boosted American morale after months of defeats and renewed confidence in the revolutionary cause. Historians often describe the crossing and subsequent battle as a crucial turning point in the early war.
