Secret planning and preparations
- When
- December 25, 1776
- Where
- Washington's headquarters and encampment near the ferry
- Part of
- Crossing of the Delaware
Washington planned three crossings in secrecy, justified the risk as dire necessity, and on December 25 issued logistical orders.
Washington organized the campaign in great secrecy, with a final plan calling for three river crossings, his own troops forming the largest contingent to lead the attack on Trenton. With about 2,400 men able to take offensive action against the Hessian and British troops in and around Trenton, he told Reed that "dire necessity" justified the risky assault. On the morning of December 25 he ordered three days' food prepared and fresh flints for every musket, and outlined the detailed plans for the crossing and the planned attacks on the Hessians in Trenton.
Sources
- George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-11
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