While the American Revolution seemed on the verge of defeat on
December 25, 1776, George Washington had assessed the weaknesses and
strengths of his situation, and while steadfastly focusing on ultimate
victory, reacted to the complex situation and developments over the next
ten days to turn the psychological--if not the strictly
military--situation completely around.
On December 25, 1776, the American Revolution seemed all but defeated
just six months after the Declaration of Independence had been adopted.
George Washington's army had suffered a series of defeats in New York
and had retreated under British pressure across New Jersey and then the
Delaware River to temporary sanctuary in Pennsylvania. This left the
British army in a string of winter cantonments across the middle of New
Jersey, the New Jersey state government in total disarray, and the
Continental Congress fleeing Philadelphia now perceived as the next
British target. Loyalists in New Jersey felt empowered and Patriots felt
abandoned. Washington needed not only a battlefield victory, but also to
reestablish Patriot control in New Jersey. Otherwise, it would be
impossible to raise a larger, long-term army to continue the fight and
convince the citizens that victory was possible.
The story of these ten crucial days is one that displays Washington's
military and interpersonal abilities along with his personal
determination and bravery to keep the Revolution alive through
maintaining the psychological confidence of the Patriots, while reducing
the psychological confidence of his British political and military
opponents. Throughout these ten days, Washington was faced with changing
situations requiring modifications or outright different plans and his
well-thought-out actions benefitted from elements of luck--such as the
weather or British decisions--which he could not control.
While most books look at these ten crucial days focusing on the military
actions of the armies involved, this account also considers what was
happening in other parts of the world. Leaders and ordinary people in
other parts of America, in Britain, and in France were also dealing with
the Revolution as they understood its condition. Without the
instantaneous communication we have today, they were dealing with dated
information and were missing knowledge that could influence their
thoughts about the Revolution. This lack of immediate communication was
also true--although to lesser extent--for the individuals directly
involved in the events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
