I love to visit where history has occurred, to be in the room where it happened. But what if you were able to actually bear witness to the moments that birthed this nation, to be present when the United States received a proverbial smack on its bottom and let out a resounding cry of freedom? Time travel doesn’t exist but reenactments do. I experienced my first live historical recreation on Christmas Day, not starting with a tricycle but instead jumping on a unicycle: Washington Crossing The Delaware. As the announcer said prior to the start of the event, the participants practice long and hard for this day: it’s their Super Bowl. For a Revolutionary War geek like me, it was my big game too.
We arrived early to secure a close parking spot. When we exited our car, we heard fife and drum. To my ears, never was there a better Christmas carol. My husband told me that men and women in period garb were emerging from their Toyotas and Chevys, which is funny to imagine. As we made our way from the parking lot to the Washington Crossing Historic Park area, two men dressed in blue coats, muskets in hand, walked behind us on their way to join their fellow patriots. Don’t tell Mister Rain but I’m a bigger fan of this uniform and team than the Seahawks! We met up with the soldiers at a point where the path narrowed, making it possible for only one person at a time to pass through. Seeing my cane, they stopped to allow me to go ahead before them. I looked at my husband and said, “Let our troops go first.” One of them replied, “Thank you. Good morning. Merry Christmas.”
We had taken our own chairs and placed them right at the rope line directly across from where the boats would launch. As we waited for the official program to begin, we chatted with the other audience members. Some, like us, were there for the first time while several people were able to report on their past attendance at the Crossing. Reenactors were everywhere, discussing last minute changes, reviewing their rehearsal notes. There was a lot of discussion going on about the watercraft being unable to cross to New Jersey due to the swiftness of the river after heavy rains. I overheard two men in regimentals familiarizing themselves with the site, one saying, “The General will address the troops here . . . “ Goose pimples. Shortly after, several members of the Continental Army walked through the crowd in a line, the gentleman in front unclipping the chain to allow them all into the area where the presentation would commence. An older woman spectator saw that George Washington was one of the men and she yelled, “There’s Georgie Porgie!” The officer bringing up the rear stopped to reattach the links, looked at her with a twinkle in his eye and said, “That’s ‘Your Excellency’.”
The Crossing on December 25, 1776 began at 11 pm. The 2,000 troops arrived in New Jersey at 4 am and then traveled nine miles to Trenton. On this day, December 25, 2023, the vessels launched at 1:30 pm, with 200 devoted men and women taking part. The temperature was 50 degrees but it felt colder than that. The sun kept teasing us but never fully came out so the cloudy riverbank was chilly. Yet the weather on this day could not be compared to the conditions that night 247 years ago when the Delaware River was filled with flat ice.
At least one soldier passed by us barefoot. That is what one calls commitment. The fact is, shoeless or not, the sense of duty these reenactors embody is equal to that of the people they are portraying. It is their passion. Their allegiance to excellence and this country knows no bounds. We met a young woman who would be rowing in one of the boats alongside her father and brother. This is not a hobby, this is a way of life. Those of us fortunate enough to benefit from their calling are all the better for it and extremely appreciative.
A narrator introduced the proceedings by telling us the facts of the planned attack on the Hessians in Trenton, then a microphoned General George Washington spoke with his officers and inspected his troops. Next he and his army marched to the shoreline where four boats waited for them. Washington’s Position Flag, blue with white stars, in General Washington’s transport was especially moving to me when I saw it later in our photos; this flag flew wherever General Washington was. Two of the watercraft made it to New Jersey, a cheer erupting from that side when they touched land. Hearing that, those of us in the Keystone State followed suit.
There were over 10,000 people watching the Crossing and its preamble. The bridge connecting the two states was packed with viewers. Although the Pennsylvania audience was greater, where the land ceremony took place, the Garden State turnout was impressive. Babies, toddlers, tweens and teens, young adults, middle aged, seniors and dogs were all equally captivated by the event. Although wearing hoodies, jeans, track pants and puffer jackets, each and every one of us felt like we were in tattered wool uniforms, in the boats, willing them to reach the other side undetected. It was a moving day, a cause for reflection and gratitude that carried us into the new year. If you want to experience unity in this country come to Washington’s Crossing Historic Park on December 25th. If 10,000+ viewers and 200+ dedicated reenactors spend their Christmas Day here, all honoring how we, the people, fought to begin, I have to think all is not lost.
To learn more about the evening of December 25, 1776, the reenactment and Washington Crossing Historic Park, click here. SPOILER ALERT: They make it to Trenton. They win the Battle. AND the War!
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #ushistory #americanhistory #washingtoncrossinghistoricpark #hesnochickenbuthecrossedtherivertogettotheotherside
