"
In this confused way, December 23, 1776, General Washington wrote from
his camp, near Trenton Falls, to Colonel Reed, who was posted at
Bristol, a few miles further down the Delaware, guarding an important
ford.
Before crossing over to the safe side of this wide stream, about twelve
hundred feet wide at Trenton, he gave an order so important that, if he
had forgotten or omitted it, nothing could have saved Philadelphia from
being captured by the British.
He directed that all the boats and barges of the whole region, for
seventy miles, everything that could float and carry a man, should be
taken over to the western bank of the river, and there carefully
concealed, or closely watched.
All the boats and canoes in the creeks and tributaries were also
secured, and hidden where they could do an enemy no good. There were
many large barges then upon the Delaware, used for transporting hay and
other produce, some of which could have carried over half a regiment of
foot at every trip.
All of these were hidden or guarded, and as soon as General Washington
had got his own little army over, he posted a guard at every ford, and
kept trustworthy men going up and down the river, to see that the boats
were safe.
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