Welcome to History that Doesn't Suck.

I'm your professor, Greg Jackson, and I'd like to tell you a story.

And more specifically, since today is December 25, I'd like to tell you a Christmas story.

It just happened to be at the point where George Washington crosses the Delaware River

on Christmas Day 1776.

And I just couldn't resist giving you the gifts of a little bonus Christmas episode.

So grab another mug of Agnog and cozy on up by the fire that George's Army sure wishes

it had, because I'm about to tell you the heartwarming story of a surprise attack that

will leave about two dozen men dead, others injured, and over 900 is prisoners of war.

Just like as touching as Charles Dickens, just deadlier.

Here we go.

It's December 1776, and George Washington's situation is dire.

He's been pushed out of New York, through New Jersey, and across the frigid Delaware River

into Pennsylvania, where he's using the ice-filled waters of the Delaware as a geographical buffer.

When crossing the up to 800 foot wide river in early December, George made sure his men

cleared every single boat from its Jersey coast so that British generals how Ancorn

Wallace couldn't follow.

Well, that is, they couldn't follow without taking the time and effort to build rafts

and boats themselves.

So it's not much, but the Delaware River is providing some protection to George's

meager force, and right now he'll take anything he can get.

See, many are coming to think the revolution is over.

...