George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River
1776 surprise attack against Hessian forces
Photos by Catherine Kerr, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chris Mclaughlin on Unsplash
About
George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a complex and surprise military maneuver organized by George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, which culminated in their attack on Hessian forces garrisoned at Trenton. Washington and his troops successfully attacked the Hessian forces in the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776.
The military campaign was organized in great secrecy by Washington, who led a column of Continental Army troops from today's Bucks County, Pennsylvania across the icy Delaware River to today's Mercer County, New Jersey in what was one of the Revolutionary War's most logistically challenging and dangerous clandestine operations. Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from surprising and defeating the Hessian troops encamped in Trenton under the command of Johann Rall. After prevailing in the Battle of Trenton, Washington and his Continental Army troops crossed the Delaware River again, returning to Pennsylvania west-bound with Hessian prisoners and military stores taken in the battle.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Washington Crossing State Park
United States historic place
0.9 mi awayWashington Crossing Historic Park
United States historic place
0.2 mi awayWashington Crossing, New Jersey
Populated place in Mercer County, New Jersey, US
0.4 mi awayWashington Crossing Open Air Theatre
Notable place
0.9 mi awayWashington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Unincorporated community in Pennsylvania, US
0.5 mi awayBear Tavern, New Jersey
Populated place in Mercer County, New Jersey, US
1.4 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
Finding places to eat…
Traveler reviews
Tickets & tours
Tickets and tours for George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River
We may earn a commission from some of these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Photos from Unsplash, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA); facts from Wikipedia; maps © OpenStreetMap contributors, weather from Open-Meteo. Huginn’s tips are AI-written — check prices, hours and entry rules before you go.
