What river did George Washington cross on Christmas night 1776?

George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776. The dangerous nighttime operation led to the Continental Army’s surprise attack on Hessian troops at Trenton, New Jersey, the following morning.

Washington’s force began crossing on the evening of December 25, during freezing rain, sleet, snow, and strong river ice. The main crossing took place near McConkey’s Ferry, north of Trenton. Soldiers used boats to transport men, horses, artillery, and supplies across the river while trying to preserve secrecy.

The army reached the New Jersey shore early on December 26 and marched toward Trenton. At about 8 a.m., American troops attacked the Hessian garrison. The victory captured roughly 900 prisoners and provided a crucial boost to American morale during a bleak period of the war.

The famous 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware shows a dramatic version of the event, but it is not a literal snapshot. The boat, river conditions, and troop arrangement were stylized. Washington actually crossed in a large Durham boat, and the operation involved multiple boats and coordinated forces.