What river did George Washington cross to attack Trenton?

George Washington crossed the Delaware River before attacking Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. The daring crossing began on the night of December 25–26, 1776, and led to an American victory over Hessian troops in New Jersey.

Washington’s Continental Army had suffered serious defeats around New York and was retreating through New Jersey. Morale was dangerously low, enlistments were expiring, and the army needed a major success. Washington organized a surprise operation against the Hessian garrison stationed at Trenton.

The crossing was extremely difficult. Soldiers, horses, and artillery moved through icy water and floating chunks of ice in large Durham boats. Washington’s main force crossed at McConkey’s Ferry, marched through the night, and reached Trenton on the morning of December 26. The Hessian commander, Johann Rall, was defeated and captured.

The victory helped revive Patriot morale and encouraged new enlistments. It was the first of several American successes during the “Ten Crucial Days,” which also included victories at Princeton and elsewhere in New Jersey.