Reproduction after painting by Emaneul Leutze of US General George Washington crossing the Delaware River. (Photo by Time Life Pictures/Mansell/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images). The location of this image is United States. This image features George Washington*Emanuel Leutze. Copyright: Time & Life Pictures

Washington's crossing of the Delaware River , which occurred on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War , was the first move in a surprise attack organised by George Washington against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey . Planned in partial secrecy, Washington led a column of Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware River in a logistically challenging and dangerous operation. Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from successfully surprising and defeating the troops of Johann Rall quartered in Trenton. The army crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time burdened by prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle.
Washington's army then crossed the river a third time at the end of the year, under conditions made more difficult by the uncertain thickness of the ice on the river. They defeated British reinforcements under Lord Cornwallis on January 2, 1777, and defeated his rear guard at Princeton before retreating to winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey .

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