A campaign marked by
his own blundering and by the treachery of a trusted general had
ended in seeming ruin. Pennsylvania at his back and New Jersey
before him across the Delaware were less than half loyal to the
American cause and probably willing to accept peace on almost any
terms. Never was a general in a position where greater risks must
be taken for salvation. As Washington pondered what was going on
among the British across the Delaware, a bold plan outlined
itself in his mind. Howe, he knew, had gone to New York to
celebrate a triumphant Christmas. His absence from the front was
certain to involve slackness. It was Germans who held the line of
the Delaware, some thirteen hundred of them under Colonel Rahl at
Trenton, two thousand under Von Donop farther down the river at
Bordentown; and with Germans perhaps more than any other people
Christmas is a season of elaborate festivity. On this their first
Christmas away from home many of the Germans would be likely to
be off their guard either through homesickness or dissipation.
They cared nothing for either side. There had been much
plundering in New Jersey and discipline was relaxed.
Howe had been guilty of the folly of making strong the posts
farthest from the enemy and weak those nearest to him.
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