By Randolph G. Russell, author of American History In No Time. Russell was Sten’s guest on In The Dugout in March 2024 (watch here) to discuss his book on the ‘second greatest story ever told’ … a book that every student and American should read in order to develop a core, fundamental understanding of the true history of America … and all in 100 pages!

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At this special time of year when we celebrate the world’s first Christmas, let us also be grateful for America’s first Christmas and the incredible courage and sacrifice of those who, against all odds, brought forth this nation.

As Christmas approached in 1776, the mood in the newly created United States of America was anything but festive and hopeful. The Continental Army had been chased out of New York and New Jersey and was now encamped on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River.

The situation was dire. Soldiers were short of food, clothing, and tents; and local citizens, state governments, and the Continental Congress all seemed indifferent to their plight. The army was about to dissolve anyway. Most of the troops had enlisted for only 12 months and would soon be heading home when those commitments expired at the end of the year.

A discouraged George Washington, the commander-in-chief, wrote to his brother, “I think the game is pretty near up.” In desperation, he came up with a daring plan to cross back over the Delaware and attack Trenton, New Jersey, which was held by Hessian (German) mercenaries fighting for the British. The operation would begin on the evening of December 25.

The Hessians felt reasonably safe. Not only was it Christmas, but the weather was bitterly cold and stormy, snow covered the ground, and floating ice in the river all made an attack by the Americans seem highly unlikely.

That night, the Continental Army quietly crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey. The call-and response password Washington gave his troops to identify each other in the dark was “Victory – or Death.” On the way to Trenton, two soldiers froze to death.

By daybreak, the army had reached the town undetected. They got into position and opened fire. In a total rout lasting only an hour, a hundred Hessians were killed or wounded and 800 were taken prisoner without one American battle death. Washington exclaimed, “This is a glorious day for our country.”

The commander-in-chief could not celebrate long, though, because he still faced the prospect of losing most of his soldiers when their enlistments expired in just a few days. The British would soon launch a counterattack, and there would be no army to oppose them.

Washington ordered his troops to assemble in formation in the snow. They were ragged, cold, hungry, and exhausted. From atop his horse, he praised the men for what they had accomplished but entreated them to stay a little longer. Then he rode to the end of the line to see how many would respond. A drum rolled.

Not one person came forward. Horrified at what this could mean, Washington rode to the front of the army once more and pleaded with them. “My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you … What we are facing is the crisis which is to decide our destiny.”

Again, the general rode to the side and anxiously awaited their response. Finally, a lone soldier stepped forward saying he could not go home knowing the army needed him. Another stepped forward, and then another, until most of the men had formed a new line signifying they would stay and fight.

Later that week, Washington successfully led them in a second battle at Trenton and then at Prince-ton. These three stunning victories in New Jersey, all coming within a 10-day period, saved the Revolution and turned the tide of the war. As the news spread, the ranks of the Continental Army swelled with new recruits who were willing to enlist for the long term, either three years or the duration of the war.