Washington And The Troops Cross A Foggy Delaware River In Bucks

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA ? Fog hung over the river and rain fell from the sky Sunday afternoon as General George Washington and his troops brought history to life by re-enacting a daring journey across the Delaware River that forever changed American history.

As canon fire echoed through the peaceful river valley, a crowd of people braved the elements to watch the pageantry of the First Crossing Reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware unfold as more than 300 volunteer re-enactors and amateur historians recreated the Continental Army's 1776 surprise attack against the unsuspecting Hessians encamped at nearby Trenton.

"Let your imagination travel back in time to that bitter winter day in 1776," said Major General Jason Q. Bohm, the Inspector General of the Marine Corps who narrated the pageantry as onlookers journeyed back with him to a pivotal moment in the War for Independence.

"Try to imagine what it was like to be a soldier in that ragtag military army commanded by General Washington," said Bohm. "Imagine the fear, the trepidation, the suffering, but most of all imagine the valor, the bravery and the sacrifices which were made to secure the freedoms we enjoy today."

Washington makes his way through the village of Taylorville. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Washington conferring with this officers on the banks of the Delaware. (photo by Jeff Werner)

The general points to a possible landing spot for the troops. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

The troops await their next orders. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Washington contemplates his next move. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Moving the artillery into place. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

As the troops prepared to board four Durham boats for the First Crossing, Washington, portrayed by John Godzieba, evoked the words of Thomas Paine's "The Crisis," to rally the troops moments before embarking across the Delaware.

?These are the times that try men?s souls,? he told the troops gathered on the banks of the Delaware. ?The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.?

With unusually mild temperatures reaching into the 60s, there were no ice chunks in the river to block passage and no stinging ice pellets falling from the sky. But the troops faced a different problem - a swift current. Luckily it wasn't swift enough to prevent the event from moving forward, but it did make the landing on the New Jersey side more challenging.

Throughout the event, presented and organized by the Friends of Washington Crossing and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the village bustled with activities including artillery demonstrations, spinning, weaving and blacksmith demonstrations, bread making, 18th century music and toys and games.

After a successful First Crossing on Sunday, the stage is now set for the 71st Annual Crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day.

At about 1 p.m. Washington will muster the troops on the banks of the Delaware and depending upon weather conditions will embark for New Jersey aboard four large Durham Boats.

Visitors can expect plenty of pomp and pageantry as the sound of canon fire echos through the river valley and the fife and drum transport the village back to that fateful night in 1776 when Washington embarked on what is one of the most famous military maneuvers in world history.

About 2,400 men from the Continental Army formed for embarkation on December 25, 1776. Various regiments and companies of soldiers straggled in from the north, south and west. Troops that were encamped several miles away made their way down an icy wagon road with their weapons, ammunition and personal belongings, not knowing if they would return.

The troops assemble on the banks of the Delaware. (Photos by Jeff Werner)

Guest narrator and noted author Major General Jason Q. Bohm, the Inspector General of the U.S. Marine Corps, with Frank Lyons, as Colonel John Glover of the Marblehead regiment. Glover and his "Marbleheaders" were instrumental in ferrying Washington and the troops across the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776.

Arriving on the New Jersey side of the Delaware. (Photos by Jeff Werner)

In total darkness, they silently boarded the boats and cast off from shore with General Washington and his staff looking on with great determination.

The annual re-enactments held each December commemorate the courage of Washington?s valiant troops and the sacrifices they made for the freedoms Americans now enjoy.

The 71st annual Christmas Day crossing takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 25 (actual crossing at approximately 1 p.m.). The Christmas Day crossing is free, and it is recommended that visitors arrive before 1 p.m. to ensure a good place along the viewing line.

River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. However, even if conditions do not allow for crossing, ceremonies, speeches and commemorative activities still occur.

Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at the intersection of Rts. 532 and 32 (River Road) in Bucks County, PA. To stay up-to-date on what is happening in the park, visit WashingtonCrossingPark.org.

Fast Facts

• 2023 marks the 71st modern-day crossing re-enactment.
• A Durham Boat weighs 4,600 pounds empty
• On average, 200 reenactors take part in the Crossing re-enactment each year.
• Grace Kelly?s brother and famed Olympic rower John B. Kelly Jr. portrayed General Washington from 1978 to 1984.
• The bicentennial Crossing In 1976 attracted about 20,000 to 26,000 spectators and it was the first year a woman - Ann Hawkes Hutton - officially participated in the re-enactment.
• Ice was so thick on the river in 1980 that reenactors marched across the bridge rather than cross the river in boats. The actual river crossing has been cancelled a number of times since then due to weather conditions including ice, strong currents and drought conditions.
• Two Olympic torches have crossed the river in Durham boats, one on Feb. 3, 1980 for the Lake Placid Olympics in New York and the other on Dec. 23, 2001 for the Salt Lake City Olympics in Utah.
• In July 2005, contestants on CBS?s ?The Amazing Race? rowed across the river with a George Washington impersonator in their boats.

Future Events

• February 18 from 12 to 4 p.m. George Washington Birthday Celebration
• April 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. Wheat and Sheep Day
• May 4 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Spring Brewfest
• May 25 at 6 p.m. Jazz concert on the riverbank.
• June 22 from 3 to 7 p.m., Juneteenth concert and living history program
• July 4 from 12 to 4 p.m., Living History Day.
• July 6, Colonial Field Day.
• July 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rebels and Redcoats Car Show.