A reenactment of General George Washington crossing the Delaware River drew visitors and showed how history was made.
The reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park of Washington’s 1776 Christmas night river crossing occurred on the banks of the Delaware River.
During the event on Dec. 10, several hundred re-enactors in Continental military dress listened to an inspiring speech by Washington and then rowed across the river in replica Durham boats, according to Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Photo courtesy of Mike Chipowsky
Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River in December 1776 during the American Revolution.
The crossing of the Delaware River with more than 2,000 troops was an effort to attack a Hessian force in Trenton.
Three thousand additional men and military equipment would not be able to make the crossing in time for the attack.
Still the attack would proceed, and the Army surrounded the town. They captured hundreds of Hessians garrisoned in Trenton.
This victory for the Continental Army would raise the morale of Americans in the Revolutionary War.
The next reenactment opportunity is on Christmas day from noon to 3 p.m. at Washington Crossing Historic Park, located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 32 (River Road) in Bucks County, Pa. The actual crossings will take place at 1 p.m. For more information visit WashingtonCrossingPark.org.
