Teaching American Excpetionalism

Our nation, still yet young in comparison to empires of past centuries, is rich in history.  Such history of revolution, conflict, enlightenment and prosperity should be taught to our youth and celebrated.  If we are to continue in prosperity and bask in the light of freedom that Lady Liberty shines down upon those who call the United States home then we must take to earnest endeavor to properly teach the youth of our nation their history.

Please enjoy a founding story of our nation with an excerpt from our book Vigilance: The Price of Liberty:

It was December of 1776, little more than four months after America had declared its independence, and General George Washington’s army in full retreat. While successful in flushing the British from Boston, the American army moved to New York where it suffered devastating defeats. Driven out of New York and forced to flee across the Delaware River to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, only 3,000 of the initial 20,000 troops remained of the Continental army.  Over matched by British troops and with his army’s enlistments expiring at month’s end, Washington knew he had to do something bold or the revolution would be at risk. To this end, Washington conceived a plan to attack the town of Trenton, New Jersey on Christmas day. The watch words would be “Victory or Death”. 

 

Trenton was the closest outpost to Washington and manned with about 1,400 Hessian [German] mercenaries under the Hessian Commander Colonel Johann Rall. Washington devised a plan to strike the Hessians believing they would be sleeping off the effect of Christmas Eve food and drink. 

 

Thomas Paine had written an essay that Washington ordered read to his troops on that night before Christmas with the opening words “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Troops would be on the march that Christmas, some without shoes and all facing a winter storm as they made their way onto boats to cross the Delaware River. It would take some 14 hours for soldiers, horses and artillery to cross the river in sleet, while dodging blocks of ice. 

 

As the Americans began their journey that fateful Christmas eve, a Loyalist – Americans who aligned with the British and saw the rebellion as treason against the Crown – came to see Colonel Rall at the house of Abraham Hunt, a wealthy town merchant.  But Rall would not be disturbed and was given a note instead which Rall placed into his coat pocket. 

 

It was about 3 am when the Continental Army landed and began its march of 10 miles to Trenton. Washington ordered the men to keep moving. Two stopped for rest and froze to death. Of the four forces that set-out for Trenton, only two arrived and Washington placed his troops at both ends of the town when at about 8 am he ordered the attack.

 

The Hessians bolted from their houses to battle formation as the Americans converged from each side of Trenton. American soldiers lay blows of flesh and steel on the enemy and shouted “This is the time to try men’s souls!” Cannon fire from each end of the town cut-down the Hessians as they poured into the street to engage in battle.

 

Colonel Rall urgently gathered his coat to organize a charge, however, during the battle he was shot and mortally wounded.  He would soon surrender to General Washington but before he would die, he lifted the note he placed in his pocket given to him the night before only to read the warning that the Americans were on the march to Trenton.  Near death, Rall would say “If I had read that at Mr. Hunt’s, I’d not be here.”

 

Shortly after the Hessians surrendered General Washington would return to Pennsylvania.  For the next 14 hours the Continental Army would again cross the Delaware to return to Bucks County with captured weapons and some 900 prisoners.

 

For a period of 48 hours valiant men forged a victory without sleep and little food and in conditions that would kill any other man – it was only their determination for Liberty that would keep them alive. With their blood following them on the snow from their bare feet and the courage that would try men’s souls, the Battle of Trenton brought life to the new revolution. 

 

Such were the sacrifices and resolute courage that gave birth to America. We have largely forgotten our heritage and the goal of liberty that was so valiantly fought for in 1776.  In doing so we have stepped on a path toward tyranny and the warm lake of blood that gave genesis to our nation lies a distance that is too far from sight. We must take measure to make our way back to this enshrined lake that paid for our liberty or we risk forever that which was so dearly won. (pg.13-15)