History

The Revolutionary War

More bad news followed when Rhode Island and much of New Jersey fell under British control. The people of Philadelphia feared that the patriot capital would be conquered next.

On December 20, General John Sullivan arrived with 2,000 soldiers from New England. General Washington knew that he needed to use the enlarged army to achieve a victory or the revolution might be over.

As darkness fell, the rain became driving snow, sleet, and wind. Sailors from Massachusetts and the Pennsylvania Navy ferried the 2,400 troops across the icy river under General Washington's careful supervision. Durham boats, typically used to carry pig iron and other cargo, carried the soldiers across the fast moving water. Artillery and frightened horses crossed the river on larger ferry boats.

Because the boats had to make several trips across the river, the army was not ready to march until 4:00 A.M., too late for the planned attack. The patriots pressed on, hoping that they could still surprise the British troops in their barracks in Trenton, New Jersey.

General Ewing and Colonel Cadwalader and their troops were to cross to the south, but icy conditions prevent the crossing.

At 8:00 A.M., the American troops surprised and defeated the Hessians at Trenton, taking many prisoners. Only a few American soldiers were injured. Laden with captured supplies and prisoners, Washington’s troops re-crossed the icy river.

On January 2 and 3, the Americans again crossed the Delaware River and defeated the British in the Second Battle of Trenton and in the Battle of Princeton, driving the British so far back that the continental army went into winter quarters in New Jersey.

The victories not only boosted the morale of the army, but also inspired the patriots of the colonies. Many of the soldiers due to leave the army agreed to extend their service. New recruits joined the army. The daring attacks revitalized the American War for Independence.

The “Ten Crucial Days:” A Timeline

Prelude -- December 14-25, 1776

Following a series of military defeats in New York and New Jersey, General George Washington led the Continental Army in its retreat across New Jersey. They arrived in Pennsylvania in December, 1776, where Washington planned the army’s next move before soldiers’ enlistments expired at the end of the month.

Day 1 -- December 25, 1776

A Continental Army force of 2,400 soldiers crosses the Delaware River at McConkey’s Ferry to New Jersey. They march 10 miles to Trenton in a blizzard to assault the 1,500 Hessian troops occupying the town.

Day 2 -- December 26, 1776

First Battle of Trenton

The Continental Army defeats the Hessians at Trenton to win its first significant victory of the war, then returns to Pennsylvania with its prisoners and captured goods.

Day 3 -- December 27, 1776

Washington and his generals re-cross the Delaware into New Jersey to discover the enemy has withdrawn from the Trenton area.

Day 4 -- December 28, 1776

After convening a council of war, Washington and his generals plan a defense in Trenton from Cornwallis.

Day 5 -- December 29, 1776

The Continental Army crosses the river at several ferry crossings and returns to Trenton.

Day 6 -- December 30, 1776

Washington persuades a bare majority of his soldiers whose enlistments are to expire on December 31 to remain with the army for another six weeks by promising to pay each of these soldiers $10 in hard coin. Washington’s force of 6,000 men prepares a defense on high ground south of Assunpink Creek in Trenton.

Day 7 -- December 31, 1776

The Continental Army advances from Trenton toward enemy occupied Princeton.

Day 8 -- January 1, 1777

British and Hessian forces gathered strength in Princeton. The Continental Army skirmishes with British and Hessian troops on New Year’s Day.

Day 9 -- January 2, 1777

Second Battle of Trenton

The Continental Army fights against 8,000 British and Hessian troops under General Cornwallis. The Continentals repelled Cornwallis’s attacks along Assunpink Creek until dusk. Cornwallis planned to “bag the fox in the morning.”

Day 10 -- January 3, 1777

Battle of Princeton

Overnight, Washington and his troops withdraw from Trenton and begin to march to Princeton where they defeat the British and the Hessians. This results in the third and final victory for the Continental Army, thereby ending the military campaign associated with the “Ten Crucial Days.”

Postscript -- January 3-6, 1777

​The Continental Army makes its way from Princeton to Morristown, NJ, where it establishes its winter quarters.

In response to continued interest by its citizens, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania created the Washington Crossing Commission, which created Washington Crossing State Park on July 25, 1917. During 1953, the commission was abolished and Washington Crossing State Park transferred to the Department of Forests and Waters. During 1961, the park was declared a National Historic Site.

The park was transferred to the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission in 1971. During 2015, Washington Crossing returned to DCNR's Bureau of State Parks.

Historic Buildings

Many buildings in the park date from the area’s long history. These historic building provide many sightseeing opportunities in the park.

• Bowman’s Hill Tower
• Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
• Durham Boat House
• Frye House
• Hibbs House
• Mahlon K. Taylor House
• McConkeys Ferry Inn
• Taylorsville Store
• Thompson-Neely Farmstead - Washingtons Encampment
• Thompson-Neely Grist Mil
• Soldiers Graves