TON

And you will take general charge of the entire fleet.

GLOVER

Very good, sir.

WASHINGTON

Tell them to listen to General Knox's commands. He is the only one whose
voice can be heard in this storm!

GLOVER

Very good, sir! (_going out_) This way, the Marblehead regiment! This
way to the boats! (_mob_)

ANNOUNCER

For the next nine hours the difficult work of crossing the ice-filled
river went forward. Colonel Glover and his regiment of seafaring men
from Marblehead, Massachusetts, performed almost miraculous service in
landing every man, horse, and gun without losing anything!

It was five o'clock in the morning of December 26 when Washington, now
on the Jersey shore of the river, turned to Knox--(_wind and crowd
noise_)

WASHINGTON

Has the last boatload landed, Knox?

KNOX

Yes, sir.

WASHINGTON

Call the men to attention.

KNOX (_calling_)

Call your men to attention!

VOICES

Company--company! (_etc._) Attention! First regiment is formed, sir,
second--(_etc._)

KNOX

The men are formed, sir.

WASHINGTON

Men, we are about to start upon our most important offensive. Upon the
results of our efforts this morning depends the outcome of our struggle
for liberty and independence.

I shall take the first brigade and half the artillery with me down the
Pennington road. The rest of the detachment under command of General
Green will take the river road. It should take us about four hours to
reach the outposts of Trenton. Now, it is necessary for us to attack
simultaneously, so will the officers all set their watches with mine. It
is now just five o'clock and ten minutes. At nine o'clock, attack!

Let every man march quietly, keep in good order in the ranks,
give prompt obedience to his officers, and bear in mind the
watchword--_Victory or Death!_ March your men off!

VOICES

First Regiment--Second Regiment--Company--Company--(_etc._)

ANNOUNCER

Thus, on that cold and stormy December morning, the half frozen,
desperate band of ragamuffin soldiers started its march toward
Trenton--toward its last forlorn hope. Washington prayed that he might
catch the garrison of Hessians unsuspecting and unprepared; but he
feared that he had taken so long to effect the crossing of the
ice-filled river that he could not surprise the enemy!

As a matter of fact, warning was sent to Colonel Rall, but that officer,
secure in his belief that no effective force of Colonial soldiers could
be