Twitternactment
- We beseech thee that this war soon ends..and our freedom is assured. #17769:01 AM Oct 26th from web
- Dear Lord, we thank you for this day. Embrace those who have fallen. #17769:00 AM Oct 26th from web
- Victory. But as always a price for victory. Hundreds or more will die from exposure, exhaustion. #17768:45 AM Oct 26th from web
- It is hard to breathe. God it is so hard to breathe. Dear Lord, into your hands… #17768:30 AM Oct 26th from web
- Sgt Howard tells me that @, the NJ boy who fell in the river, has collapsed. #17768:14 AM Oct 26th from web
- The men are organized and we leave for McConkey's Ferry. #17768:01 AM Oct 26th from web
- The Hessian captives secured, we know the British will soon arrive from the North. We decide to leave. #17767:46 AM Oct 26th from web
- Now that the battle is over, I know my men aren't the same. They've suffered the worst and risked their lives for freedom. #17767:31 AM Oct 26th from web
- We decide not to march on to Princeton. I don't think my men could handle another battle. Hundreds near collapse. #17767:15 AM Oct 26th from web
- Fever. Hard to catch my breath. Feeling weak. Allen and Peter holding me up. #17766:45 AM Oct 26th from web
- Know I am dying. Better that then shame of facing General Howe, and then my Prince. We are beaten. #17766:30 AM Oct 26th from web
- Shame. Saw Washington. He promised mercy. Said they are not like us. #17766:15 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter and I say goodbye to my mother. I pray the Lord watches over her and that I see her again soon. #17766:12 AM Oct 26th from web
- @ and Knox just rode by my father's store. I let my comrades take supplies. I will leave with them. #17766:10 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter comes running in and tells me the Hessians have surrenderd. I guess Allen, my own brother, is my prisoner. #17765:59 AM Oct 26th from web
- Watching my men react to victory. Some are emotional. Othres are silent. I'm glad they can have this moment. #17765:50 AM Oct 26th from web
- It is over. Someone tell Washington, please spare my men, show them mercy. #17765:45 AM Oct 26th from web
- This war has divided my family. I know I will never be able to forgive them for what they have done. #17765:43 AM Oct 26th from web
- Our flags, they are going down. No. Don’t. Don’t surrender my comrades. #17765:40 AM Oct 26th from web
- They know this could turn into a massacre. They want victory, but victory with honor. Www.totrymenssouls.com #17765:36 AM Oct 26th from web
- My men are shouting: "Geben sie auf! Leben sie noch!" (Surrender, damn you! Surrender! Quarter if you surrender) #17765:35 AM Oct 26th from web
- The Hessians are panicking. Running south trying to break out. Www.totrymenssouls.com #17765:30 AM Oct 26th from web
- My brother Allen even wears their uniform. Shame. #17765:27 AM Oct 26th from web
- I can hear battle going on outside my home. I cannot believe where my family's loyalty lies. #17765:26 AM Oct 26th from web
- My men are no longer terrified. They're full of spirit and ready to move forward. I'm amazed at their bravery. #17765:25 AM Oct 26th from web
- My loyalist family wants me to stay home but I refuse. I will not be tempted and will complete my duty. #17765:23 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter and I force the Hessians out of my house. I am in complete disbelief and ashamed to call him my father. #17765:22 AM Oct 26th from web
- Just saw my father with some Hessians. I am in complete disbelief and ashamed to call him my father. #17765:21 AM Oct 26th from web
- Oh God, no pain yet, but know wound is bad. A second. God this one does hurt, blood, much blood. #17765:20 AM Oct 26th from web
- Just encountered a wounded Hessian. He looked terrified. I had to spare his life. #17765:18 AM Oct 26th from web
- We've surrounded the town! The Hessians are flanked either way they turn! Drive them! Do not give them time to rally! #17765:15 AM Oct 26th from web
- My men are running away. Rebels catching them in barracks and houses. Must find rally point south of town. #17765:05 AM Oct 26th from web
- It is clear the ambush worked! @ reminds us of our code: victory or death! #17765:00 AM Oct 26th from web
- The different regiments have united. Everyone is roaring. We're all in this together now. Onward we go! #17765:00 AM Oct 26th from web
- General Knox telling us to push forward. I'm trembling and tired but I want to keep at it. #17764:44 AM Oct 26th from web
- The artillery crew just ran past me toward Trenton. It looks like @ has decided to move in! #17764:31 AM Oct 26th from web
- On hill East of Trenton. Setting up guns. Trying to figure out how to push forward. Must act soon! #17764:31 AM Oct 26th from web
- Rally my men. Rally to me! I can not believe this. #17764:25 AM Oct 26th from web
- Inside outpost. So tempting to fall asleep by the fire, but @ tells us to keep charging. #17764:22 AM Oct 26th from web
- Mein Gott. We are under attack. It is Washington! #17764:22 AM Oct 26th from web
- The Hessians have been caught completely off guard! Truly a miracle. Www.totrymenssouls.com #17764:20 AM Oct 26th from web
- Our surprise attack has worked! Press the attack. I tell Knox to bring up the artillery as fast as possible. #17764:19 AM Oct 26th from web
- What is that? Gunfire? What is that? #17764:15 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter helps me reload my gun and I fire. With a flash of smoke, the volley begins! The fight is on! #17764:14 AM Oct 26th from web
- The Hessians emerge confused, staggering, pulling on their clothing. Merciful heaven, are the Hessians asleep? #17764:12 AM Oct 26th from web
- Damn! My musket misfires. As I gry to reload we get the order to charge. Hand to hand it is! #17764:11 AM Oct 26th from web
- The first Hessian outpost! Finding new strength, we charge toward the structure, and line up to fire! #17764:10 AM Oct 26th from web
- We approach a Hessian outpost and our men swarm toward it. It has begun! 4:10 AM Oct 26th from web
- It
is past 8am. Approaching Trenton. Sleet and snow continue unabated.
Excruciating, but also provides us cover as the sun rises. #17764:00 AM Oct 26th from web
- Amost to Trenton. Remember hunting around this area as a boy. We are doubled over, marching against the wind. #17763:43 AM Oct 26th from web
- Awake now. Still snowing intensely. No way there will be an attack. Will catch another hour of sleep. #17763:29 AM Oct 26th from web
- It takes all my willpower to continue to put on foot in front of the other. Less than 3 miles to Trenton. #17763:14 AM Oct 26th from web
- Onward. #17762:59 AM Oct 26th from web
- I
regain composure: Do you still have some fight in you? "Yes," they say.
Then fall in behind me. We will take you to a bigger battle. #17762:59 AM Oct 26th from web
- I close my eyes and take a deep breath. If Prividence has willed all this so, than what more can I do? #17762:56 AM Oct 26th from web
- I
regret my outburst. Must remain calm. They did not know of our attack.
Not their fault - why did Stephens authorize this? #17762:54 AM Oct 26th from web
- What is happening? Some Virginia militiamen have met up with us. @ seems upset with them. #17762:53 AM Oct 26th from web
- I try to control my anger but it overflows. "You damnable fools!" Some of my men look at me, startled. #17762:51 AM Oct 26th from web
- This
is a disaster!! The captain says that he has been raiding Hessian
outposts all night! This means the Hessians must be roused! #17762:48 AM Oct 26th from web
- They are Virginia riflemen. What are they doing here? #17762:44 AM Oct 26th from web
- What is this ahead? Men up ahead of us. Hessians? I ready my pistol. #17762:41 AM Oct 26th from web
- We
continue to march, past the farms and landmarks of my youth (just,
what, three years ago?). Amazing how much my life has changed. #17762:25 AM Oct 26th from web
- Sullivan seemed confident at our departure. He said "I will see you after the battle, sir."2:18 AM Oct 26th from web
- There is no turning back. Must assume Hessians are up and in formation. It truly is victory or death. #17762:13 AM Oct 26th from web
- Three hours behind. Sun will have risen by the time we reach Trenton. I pray we still have the element of surprise. #17762:12 AM Oct 26th from web
- I will lead the rest of the men around north and attack from there. We will meet in the middle. #17762:11 AM Oct 26th from web
- General Sullivan will lead a column south down River Road to end up just South of Trenton. #17762:10 AM Oct 26th from web
- The two local boys confirm that Birmingham, where the road splits is just ahead. Time for us to divide up. #17762:09 AM Oct 26th from web
- @ wants to know if we know the area. Indeed we do. Up ahead is where the road splits, Birmingham #17762:08 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter and I are glad to be moving again. Suddenly Sergeant says that @ wants to see us. "Jersey!" he shouts. #17762:06 AM Oct 26th from web
- "Forward men, forward! Victory or death. Now forward!" #17761:57 AM Oct 26th from web
- I announce to my officers: "I'm ordering the column to resume the march. Bring those columns up post hast."1:50 AM Oct 26th from web
- Artillery across. Being pulled up the slope now. Won't get to Trenton till 8, well after sunrise. But no turning back now. #17761:47 AM Oct 26th from web
- Last of the artillery finally being moved across the creek. #17761:39 AM Oct 26th from web
- Attack was planned to occur half hour ago. Still have more than seven miles to march. #17761:28 AM Oct 26th from web
- It is nearly 530am. Most infantry and horses across. Artillery not yet. Can't wait much longer. #17761:25 AM Oct 26th from web
- Artillery
wheels caked with mud. We are casting off the ropes from carriages,
rehooking the gun to its limber and team of horses. #17761:17 AM Oct 26th from web
- A
heartbreaking site: Horse slipped, leg broken. Had to put her down.
Couldn't risk noise from gunshot so we had to cut her throat. #17761:04 AM Oct 26th from web
- Pain and cold are intense but I am no sunshine patriot. #17761:01 AM Oct 26th from web
- Peter and I now across. Most horses have been moved, but only a few artillery pieces thus far. #177612:59 AM Oct 26th from web
- Zzzz...Zzzz (sleeping peacefully, enjoying the warm bed, knowing my men are safe from the cold wind and snow outside) #177612:53 AM Oct 26th from web
- The bad: Our feet are sinking halfway to the knee into the mud with each step. Less slippery now, but harder to walk. #177612:47 AM Oct 26th from web
- The good: The artillery wheels are breaking up the ice, making traction easier as we continue. #177612:46 AM Oct 26th from web
- Pull! Pull! Pull! Was already exhausted. Now we are moving heavy artillery up and down slopes by hand. #177612:44 AM Oct 26th from web
- ...and we're not even one quarter the way through moving everything up and down these ravines. #177612:35 AM Oct 26th from web
- Knox tells me we've already lost two horses and a dozen men on these ice covered ravines. Broken limbs. Damn the ice. #177612:32 AM Oct 26th from web
- This is near impossible work. Moving artillery up and down ice covered ravines… #177612:16 AM Oct 26th from web
- Dangerous work will take hours. This delay is maddening. #177612:06 AM Oct 26th from web
- Horses will slip on ice in ravines. Men must move cannons through ravines by hand. #177612:05 AM Oct 26th from web
- Artillery must be moved down ice coated road by hand, then dragged back up. #177612:05 AM Oct 26th from web
- The scout tells me the ravines to Jacobs creek are completely covered in ice. The creek is also overflowing. #177612:04 AM Oct 26th from web
- Column has stopped! What is going on? Why the holdup? #177612:03 AM Oct 26th from web
- The ravines are completely coated with ice and the gentle creek is now a racing river. #177612:03 AM Oct 26th from web
- We have reached the ravines of Jacob's Creek. @ has practically willed us there. Oh no… #177612:01 AM Oct 26th from web
- We now turn south freom Bear Tavern towards Jacobs Creek. 8 miles to Trenton. #177611:50 PM Oct 25th from web
- No time to stop though. Marching on . #177611:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- I know this place! It is Bear Tavern. The owners are a friend of the family. Maybe I should slip off to get warm ;) #177611:44 PM Oct 25th from web
- This storm! Wind is tearing at our cloaks and coats. Horses are huddled and moving reluctantly. #177611:40 PM Oct 25th from web
- Finally moving, though we are a smaller group than who crossed. Feet and legs in so much pain. #177611:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- No stand too or parade formation at dawn. They need rest and dry out. Going back to bed. #177611:29 PM Oct 25th from web
- Tell my officers that men to have extra hour sleep and then stay inside. #177611:28 PM Oct 25th from web
- Washington's army without food, shoes, clothes. Could never move this night. Ordering my men to stand down. #177611:28 PM Oct 25th from web
- As dry as possible in this blinding snow and rain. Word comes in, moving out. #177611:27 PM Oct 25th from web
- Two raids tonight. Disorganized rabble, most like militia. No sane men would be out now. #177611:26 PM Oct 25th from web
- My men now called out twice tonight. Ordering them back in. #177611:24 PM Oct 25th from web
- Damn rebel raiders! Cowards! Maybe thirty to forty. Fired some shots at outpost and ran off. 11:23 PM Oct 25th from web
- How will the men hold up nine miles in this storm? No "sunshine patriots" left as Tom Paine would say. But still… #177611:22 PM Oct 25th from web
- Sleet, freezing rain. Men getting soaked. Go up to find out about attack. #177611:21 PM Oct 25th from web
- Rebel raiders again north of town. Entire garrison called out. Storm is getting worse. #177611:19 PM Oct 25th from web
- What? Alarm? Another attack? Damn the rebels! #177611:14 PM Oct 25th from web
- Time to move out. We cannot wait any longer. The rest will catch up. #177611:13 PM Oct 25th from web
- It is 3am. We are now three hours behind schedule. Still have 9 miles to march to Trenton.10:59 PM Oct 25th from web
- The storm is increasing in fury. Clothes soaked again. #177610:44 PM Oct 25th from web
- Providence protected us that night. I pray providence is with us tonight as well. #177610:17 PM Oct 25th from web
- I think about our miraculous escape after Long Island. The fog had come in, obscuring our retreat. #177610:14 PM Oct 25th from web
- Having difficulty standing. Legs are swollen. Leaning on Peter for support. #177610:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- This is far too long. Plan was to move out by midnight. #17769:44 PM Oct 25th from web
- I collect my clothes which were hung by the fire. #17769:31 PM Oct 25th from web
- I must make room for other freezing, soaked men by the fire. #17769:15 PM Oct 25th from web
- Zzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzz….8:59 PM Oct 25th from web
- I find the man who fell in. He is @ I thank him for his courage. He commits to seeing this through. #17768:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- Peter glares at me, but is also relieved. #17768:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Out of wet clothes. A blanket over me. I am rotating around as close to the fire as I can stand, trying to warm myself. #17768:15 PM Oct 25th from web
- I am freezing and embarrassed. They move me over by the fire, and make me strip out of wet clothes. #17768:10 PM Oct 25th from web
- I am on the shore and another boat following us delivers my horse and those of other officers. #17768:04 PM Oct 25th from web
- Zzzzz Zzzzz Zzzzzz….8:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- I am pulled up by strong arms. It is one of the dock workers. We move ashore as others pull the boat in. #17767:59 PM Oct 25th from web
- One of the brave men who volunteered to pull our boat fell in! #17767:58 PM Oct 25th from web
- I am overwhelmed by the freezing water. The cold is like daggers piercing into my lungs! #17767:57 PM Oct 25th from web
- 15 feet away from the dock. 10. Suddenly I hit the end of the sand bar and lose my footing! #17767:56 PM Oct 25th from web
- Icy river knee deep. We are pulling the boat closer. 20 feet. #17767:55 PM Oct 25th from web
- I volunteer. Peter, my friend, calls me a fool but then follows me. #17767:51 PM Oct 25th from web
- Colonel Glover has asked for volunteers to get out, lighten the load, and pull the boat to the dock. #17767:50 PM Oct 25th from web
- Our boat is so overloaded that we are hitting bottom 25 yards away from the NJ shore. #17767:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- The small boat is groaning, angled steeply against flood current. Rowers are straining. NJ shore edges closer. #17767:42 PM Oct 25th from web
- What an honor. I am on the same boat as @ #17767:36 PM Oct 25th from web
- I enter my boat and we cross the icy river. Knox tells me he is not far behind. #17767:35 PM Oct 25th from web
- Wilkinson wants to cross with us "so that he may tell his grandchildren" he did. How can I refuse? #17767:26 PM Oct 25th from web
- I tell Maj Wilkinson no reply to Gates is necessary. Wilkinson then asks if he can cross with us. Bravery is inspiring. #17767:25 PM Oct 25th from web
- I am outraged by Gates' betrayal but I can't let my face show it. Can't let the men see. We will move forward as planned #17767:23 PM Oct 25th from web
- Bloody…Gates is retreating to Baltimore. Plan is for him to move from Philadelphia into Camden. #17767:22 PM Oct 25th from web
- Major Wilkinson of Gen. Gates' staff arrives suddenly with correspondence from Gates. #17767:20 PM Oct 25th from web
- We make our way to the river bank. As ordered, an officer is reading Tom Paine's latest as the men enter the boats. #17767:15 PM Oct 25th from web
- Rain intensifying. All the men are soaked. #17767:10 PM Oct 25th from web
- Before we leave, I tell Knox to warm up for a few minutes. He is soaked and cold. #17767:05 PM Oct 25th from web
- Knox interrupts my thoughts, saying it is time for me to cross. Finally. #17767:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- Hard to breath but I think I can make it. #17766:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- Peter and I gather our supplies and leave. #17766:35 PM Oct 25th from web
- I'm awoken with a start. Time to move out. #17766:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Will try to sleep. Men settled down. Hope no more raiders. Only madmen would be out on a night like this. #17766:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- Storm is getting worse. #17765:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Damn.
Nuisance raid. Men turned out. Now soaking wet in freezing rain. Change
guard companies, order rest of men back inside. #17765:15 PM Oct 25th from web
- Alarm! Rebels attacking outpost north of town. Order men to turn out. #17765:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- Finally drifting off to sleep despite the cold... Zzzz Zzzzz Zzzzz #17764:46 PM Oct 25th from web
- Dr. Benjamin Rush warned me the cold would bring horrible lung problems. He was right. Still we keep moving. #17764:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Hard to breathe. Think my fever is getting worse. Will not be left behind. #17764:20 PM Oct 25th from web
- Just witnessed one man fall over, spitting up blood. Consumption, poor soul wants to stay with us. #17764:16 PM Oct 25th from web
- Having trouble hiding my impatience. Knox doing fine job but am walking out to inspect. #17764:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- Instructed to try and get some rest. Sleeping is hard in this cold, harder still with my lungs on fire. #17763:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- I get the impression Knox thinks the Hessians are right about only madmen attacking in these conditions... #17763:34 PM Oct 25th from web
- I
tell Knox the snowstorm is a blessing, not a curse. Hessians will think
only madmen would attack tonight. Pray that it is true. #17763:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Fortunately one of the sergeants has strong drink to keep us warm. Tastes horrible but we pass it around. #17763:16 PM Oct 25th from web
- MD
line is moving out. Many in our barn are leaving. The temperature just
dropped w/o the extra body heat. Even colder now. #17763:09 PM Oct 25th from web
- Knox
half expects me to call it off b/c of weather. But the storm-as
miserable as it is-is our best ally. "Send the MD line," I say. #17763:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- VA militiamen, PA rifleman and advance scouts are now across. But Knox confirms we are behind schedule. #17762:51 PM Oct 25th from web
- Will
play a game of checkers with owner of house where I am quartered, then
to bed. Must get up early before dawn as usual. #17762:48 PM Oct 25th from web
- At least my men are warm and dry tonight. No way @ would attack in this weather. But still...we should keep at arms. #17762:44 PM Oct 25th from web
- I
am reading “The Crisis” out loud to everyone in the barn where we wait.
Truth is, I don’t need to read it…it’s been memorized. #17762:29 PM Oct 25th from web
- Out of northeast, sleet, freezing rain. High winds slowing us down. Must not show my impatience and worry. #17762:14 PM Oct 25th from web
- General
Howe should have pressed the attack across the Delaware River. He
refused. Now we are stuck here for the winter. #1776 (2/2)2:04 PM Oct 25th from web
- Trenton is miserable provincial town. Have fifteen hundred men here at this outpost. #1776 (1/2)2:01 PM Oct 25th from web
- Have
ordered Paine's latest, The Crisis to be read out loud as the men get
onto the boats. It will remind the men of what is at stake. #17761:51 PM Oct 25th from web
- When
I need a reminder of why we fight, I read Tom Paine’s “The Crisis”.
"These are the times that try men’s souls…" it begins. #17761:41 PM Oct 25th from web
- Wind and snow intensifying. Colonel Knox, our artillery chief, in charge of managing the crossing. #17761:31 PM Oct 25th from web
- Waiting, once again my thoughts turn to Martha and my home, Mt. Vernon. How I miss them. #17761:26 PM Oct 25th from web
- My parents and brothers are loyalists in NJ. What will happen if I have to face them when we get to Trenton? #17761:16 PM Oct 25th from web
- Should
be lined up in columns,boarding already. Instead, the men R taking
shelter. VA militiamen now crossing, setting up picket line. #17761:09 PM Oct 25th from web
- Reviewing our strategy in my head. Must cross by midnight and attack two hours before dawn. Already behind. #17761:04 PM Oct 25th from web
- Since @ may attack tonight, have ordered my men to stay at arms. All drinking forbidden tonight. #17761:00 PM Oct 25th from web
- Hmmm...Americans
will assume we R having a party tonight, it being Christmas. They might
choose tonight to attack, catch us off guard. #177612:55 PM Oct 25th from web
- Amazing. Just a few years ago I was studying Latin, preparing for college. Now fighting for our independence. #177612:50 PM Oct 25th from web
- Chose
“victory or death” as our password 2night. Not just symbolism. This
surprise attack is a gamble, but the only gamble we can take #177612:45 PM Oct 25th from web
- Our uniforms are tattered and faded. Many are sick, coughing. Few of us shave anymore. It’s just too cold. #177612:39 PM Oct 25th from web
- Winter
storm coming in. Will make Trenton tonight seem like being back in
Germany. Should keep rebels inside tonight though. #177612:33 PM Oct 25th from web
- Have arrived at McConkey's Ferry, PA side. Less than 2,500 men left. We are soaked and cold from the rain. #177612:30 PM Oct 25th from web
- Hello. @ and @ will start our "twitternactment" of the Battle of Trenton in 10 min. Be sure to follow them too. #177612:19 PM Oct 25th from web
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