4. Washington and The Crisis
On December 19 Thomas Paine published the first of an eventual 13 essays, which later appeared in a pamphlet entitled The American Crisis. On December 23, one week before the enlistments of most of his men were to run out, Washington had the troops mustered. The regiments had the essay read to them, with its references to “summer soldiers” and “sunshine patriots”. At the same time, a large contingent of militia gathered below Bordentown, on the other side of the Delaware. It drew the attention of the Hessian and British garrison there, which moved to investigate. The result was a skirmish known as the Battle of Mount Holly. A large party of American militia was driven from the field. The Hessians, under Carl von Donop, remained where they were following the skirmish, having failed to destroy the enemy force. That meant they were too distant to support the garrison in Trenton.
Washington’s adjutant, Joseph Reed, was present at the skirmish, having arrived there to discuss a possible diversionary attack on Bordertown the day after Christmas. Washington, as his men prepared to wait out the last weeks of their enlistments, had planned an offensive move against the British and Hessians in New Jersey. Only his most senior and trusted officers were aware of his plans. Washington had hoped for an attack at Bordentown coordinated with one at Trenton, but the premature action at Mount Holly, if it was premature, served his plans just as well. Donop was out of position, unable to provide support to the Trenton garrison under Johann Rall, especially given the deteriorating conditions of the roads. Both Donop and Rall asked British general James Grant, in command in New Jersey, for reinforcements. Their requests went unanswered.