The fall of 1776 found Washington and his army in dire straits. The fiasco of losing both New York City and Long Island(Brooklyn) to British regulars had many questioning whether this  revolution had become a lost cause. General enlistments scheduled to ending as of Jan 1, 1777, desertion was commonly reported and morale was nonexistant in the ranks (a liberal nirvana). However, adversity seemed to draw greater determination from Washington. "His Excellency George Washington, never appeared to so much advantage as in the hour of distress" observed General Nathaniel Greene.

On Christmas night, 1776, General George Washington and 2500 rag-tag continential soldiers crossed the Delaware on a cold, snowy night from Pennsylvania. They arrived in Trenton early the next morning, and surprised the encamped Hessian's. The startled Hessian's were unable to regroup while under attack and their leader, Colonel Rall, was mortally wounded. This improbable attack resulted in one of the most stunning victories in history. Washington's daring plan had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Battle of Trenton: A Christmas Day Miracle.