The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [92]
All through the town, the army went about its work, but the celebrations were few, the officers and their men seeming to know as much as Washington did. If the war was to be won, this day was only one victory. There had to be many more.
The flags were packed away now, the music muted, and Washington rode back up the long hill, could see Knox’s two guns still in position. He stopped the horse, pulled it slowly around, looked out over the town, realized for the first time the snow had stopped. He rode slowly into the open field, held up his hand, kept the staff away. He wanted a moment by himself, would not have them close by just now. He was feeling the fatigue of the long night, his hold on the emotions breaking down, the command slipping, giving way to his tears. He looked out across the town, could see his army at work, knew there would have to be a new plan, immediate and definite, securing this victory, that the captured supplies and prisoners would have to be taken back across the river, the army made ready to make the best advantage of this day. But he could not think of that now, needed just this one long quiet moment. He sat back in the saddle, and the tears stopped, and for the first time in this awful war, he began to feel the joy. We have won the day. This was a victory. It is a glorious day for our country.
14. WASHINGTON
DECEMBER 30, 1776
HE HAD BEEN BACK ACROSS THE DELAWARE TWICE, SEEING TO THE transfer of the captured supplies and the disposition of the enormous number of Hessian prisoners. John Glover’s Marblehead fishermen had manned the boats once more, had crossed and recrossed the icy river, carrying load upon load of equipment, tents and muskets, and the Hessians themselves. By now the prisoners had reached Philadelphia, had been paraded into the city to an audience who would be awed by their martial appearance, the sharp uniforms an astounding contrast to the ragged clothing of the men who guarded them.
Washington had come back into Trenton, had surveyed the town with an eye to its defense, but the town itself was not as important as the protection of his army. Scouting and raiding parties were sent into the countryside, their first priority to keep an eye on the British position, the strength of the garrison at Princeton, and beyond. He knew that Howe would not let him just settle into Trenton and bide his time for the rest of the winter. The loss in both men and prestige was a sharp and bloody wound that Howe could never just ignore. There would certainly be a response. The question Washington had to answer was when, and how strong.
Below the town, the Assunpink Creek provided a barrier, and so he moved his men into position behind the creek, with their backs to the Delaware River. On the road that led northeast toward Princeton, he sent Colonel Edward Hand, with his regiment of Pennsylvania marksmen. Hand would resist whatever force came down the road from Trenton, buying Washington’s men the precious time to construct a solid line of defense.
Down the river at Bordentown, Cadwalader’s militia had finally crossed, only to find that the Hessians there had wisely withdrawn. Washington had no need for a separate force miles to the south, and Cadwalader was ordered to bring his men to Trenton. There would be a bit of delay, since the militia had taken readily to the job of pursuing the Hessian retreat. It was the kind of fighting the unskilled soldiers could perform with raucous enthusiasm. Their enemy was