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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
Along the riverbank is WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK
(open all year), where the Continental troops landed their big flat-bottomed boats, poled through the ice-choked river. Many of Washington's men, disheartened by the defeats of Long Island and New York,
had deserted. The term of service for others had nearly ended. Only 2,400
to 2,700 remained, the British holding New Jersey with three times their
number. "I fear the game is nearly up," Washington then wrote to his
cousin, but as he wrote he planned the recrossing of the river and the
blow at Trenton. A staff officer reported:
Washington wrote to Congress that his soldiers' march through the
storm "did not in the least abate their ardor, and when they came to the
charge each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward." Many of
the men crossed barefoot or with old rags wrapped around their feet in
place of shoes, and thus they marched all night and fought and won in
the bleak morning (see TRENTON).
In the park are memorials to these events. Daughters of the Revolution
have installed an old-fashioned flower garden in the rear of the ferry
house. The rival Daughters of the American Revolution have erected a historic marker for the landing site on the riverbank. An old-fashioned Colonial pump on one of the public water-supply wells was given by the Sons
of the American Revolution, and a tall flagpole displaying the colors came
from their rivals, the Sons of the Revolution. The American Tree Association has planted 13 American elms, one for each of the 13 Colonies. In
SULLIVAN GROVE and WASHINGTON GROVE tables and other picnicking
facilities are available. A third grove at the east end of the park is being
developed and will be named for Gen. Nathaniel Greene, a division commander in the battle.
In the old-fashioned garden is a fountain, erected by the Patriotic Order
Sons of America in honor of John Honeyman, a spy who aided Washington with information before the battle. Learning of the Hessian plans for
a drunken celebration, Honeyman left Trenton, allegedly to buy more cattle for the British. He allowed himself to be "captured," gave his information to Washington and was allowed to escape. At Griggstown, where
he lived, Honeyman was first denounced by his neighbors. When Washington appeared there and told the people of Honeyman's great services.
the spy became a hero.
Nearly half of the open land within the 293 acres of the park has been
planted with seedling evergreens, enough to create a small forest. These
were provided by a State Forest Nursery adjoining the park, where 2,500,000
seedlings are grown annually.
At the rear of the ferry house is (L) CONTINENTAL LANE, a dirt road.
the path that the army followed on the march to the battle.
Between Washington Crossing and Scudder's Falls the highway is at
the base of low hills. Summer homes and estates are on the slopes, their
lawns close to the road.
To carry his army across the river, Washington had gathered from upstream and downstream the so-called Durham boats, named for the designer, Robert Durham. These flat-bottomed, sharp-ended craft, some of
them 66 feet long, were capable of holding 15 tons. They were propelled
either by oars or by sails.
I am writing in the ferry house. The troops are all over, and the boats have gone
back for the artillery. We are three hours behind the set time. Glover's men have
had a hard time to force the boats through the floating ice with the snow drifting
in their faces. I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. The storm
is changing to sleet and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed.
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