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By Root 1123 0

forward, a reassuring statement that those citizens out here, who had been so far from the protection of British forces, were now safe, and could state their loyalty without fear. In return, they would receive a certificate signed by Howe, guaranteeing them protection from any harassment from the British troops. The response had been encouraging, though not overwhelming, but reports had already begun to come into camp from irate Tories, protesting that their farms, and occasionally their daughters, were being abused by the Hessians, who showed no understanding at all of Howe’s reassuring words. But Howe continued to believe it was a major step in bringing the countryside back into the fold. Cornwallis understood now: To Howe, this was the most important part of the entire mission.

As they moved farther into the town, more of the citizens came out into the road. He glanced at Howe, saw a silent pride on the man’s soft face. He could see that Howe shared none of his own frustration, seemed unconcerned that Washington was staying just far enough in front of them to avoid a fight. Howe was waving now, and Cornwallis saw a group of women emerging from a small house, flowers in their hands. An old man appeared, bent and gray, held a British flag, and Cornwallis had the sudden sense of being in a parade. It brought back memories of Europe, the celebration of war, as though some kind of grand spectacle justified any of the horror.

Howe was reacting to the attention with a broad smile, and Cornwallis focused ahead, listened for the sounds of the army, any sign that the jagers had actually caught up to Washington’s main body. Howe was waving again, responding to a small group of cheering boys, said, “Marvelous. It’s like coming home. This truly is England, all of it. Every house, every farm, every town.”

Cornwallis didn’t know if Howe expected him to respond, thought, Of course, in the end, it’s not about armies, or this chase of a beaten enemy. Howe was enjoying the countryside, appraising it in ways Cornwallis had never understood until now. It was the European way, conquer your enemy by conquering his land, measure your victory by acreage. We are occupying their property, their towns are falling under our command. This is not about catching Washington, or defeating his army. Howe’s proclamation to the loyalists was all about pacification, reassuring the people that we will protect them from the rabble, reassuring them that their king has returned to take control. There is logic to it, I suppose. The rebels claim their power comes from the people, that it is the people who give legitimacy to their congress. Take that away, and there is no revolution at all.

Up ahead, he heard more muskets, could hear a musket ball whistle by overhead. Howe was waving still, a flirtation with a young girl, and Cornwallis thought, He didn’t hear it. He didn’t hear any of it.

DECEMBER 8, 1776

There had been musket fire for most of the day, scattered and brief, and very few stragglers had appeared. He knew that Trenton was very close, the jagers pushing and probing forward, testing the resistance that Washington might have placed in their path. There had not been any kind of real engagement, mostly marksmen, rebels who hid themselves close to the wrecks of small bridges, more of the annoying obstacles to slow the column. The jagers would pursue, a brief fruitless chase, but the rebels knew the land. Each time the game was played out, the main column would be forced to halt, and after a time, Cornwallis would begin the cumbersome task of putting the army in motion again.

Howe had stayed behind, rising very late, had been gracious enough to allow Cornwallis and the army to begin the march without him. It was a blessed relief, and Cornwallis had the troops up and on the road quickly. Cornwallis had put a spark of energy in his orders, knowing that Washington had increased the space between them slightly. If he could inspire the men to a day or two of hard marching, they might still catch the main rebel column. But the army was encumbered by