Washington Crossing of the Delaware River

Occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, it was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey at the Battle of Trenton.

What do you know about the Washington crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War? Try the U.S. History Made Easy Trivia quiz. You'll find the answers at the bottom of the page.

1) After securing the army safely in Pennsylvania, Washington's next task was to feed, water, house, and prepare them. He also had to plan his next move. He occupied a house at Summerseat across from Trenton, New Jersey while his men were quartered near McKonkey's Ferry. What is Summerseat known as today?

• Morrisville
• Alantown
• Monroeville

2) Because of the temporary nature of the camp the exact location of the troops is uncertain, but local tradition places them near the Thompson-Neely House. The entire area was farmland and given the time of year there would have been much available open space for an encampment. From a military standpoint, the main camp near the Thompson-Neely House would have made perfect sense. It is about midway between McKonkey's Ferry and Coryell's Ferry. It was at Coryell's Ferry that the main road from Philadelphia to New York passed. What is Coryell's Ferry known as today?

• Good Hope
• Hopetown
• New Hope

3) Washington's final plan was for a three pronged attack on Trenton with his troops at the center. A second column under Lieutenant Colonel John Cadwalader was to cross at Dunk's Ferry, near Bristol, Pennsylvania and engage the Hessian outpost at Mount Holly, New Jersey. A third column under Brigadier General James Ewing was to cross at Trenton Ferry and hold a position just south of Trenton in order to prevent the escape of the Hessian force in Trenton. Once Trenton was secure, the combined army would move against the British posts in Princeton and New Brunswick.

• True or False?

4) When Washington's army first arrived at McKonkey's Ferry he had about , although 1,700 soldiers were unfit for duty and needed hospital care. In the retreat across New Jersey Washington had lost precious supplies as well as losing contact with two important divisions of his army. What was the size of his army?

• 2,500 - 3,000 men
• 5,000 - 6,000 men
• 10,000 - 12,000 men

5) Washington had additional problems, including the fact that the enlistments of his men would soon expire. What was the date of expiration?

• December 31, 1776
• January 15, 1777
• February 6, 1777

6) Morale was given a boost on December 19 by the publication of a new pamphlet by Thomas Paine. What was the title?

• Common Sense
• The American Crisis
• Building a New America

7) On the December 20, 177, an event took place that was to have an even better effect on morale. General Chalres Lee's division of 2,000 arrived in camp under the command of General John Sullivan. General Lee had been captured by the British on December 12 when he had ventured several miles away from his troops in search of more comfortable lodgings.

• True or False?

8) Washington now had 6,000 listed as "fit-for-duty." Of this number, a large portion were detailed to guard the ferries between Bristol and New Hope. Another group was placed to protect supplies at Newtown, Pennsylvania and to guard the sick and wounded who would remain behind when the army crossed the Delaware River. How many men was Washington able to take offensive action against the Hessian and British troops in Central New Jersey?

• 2,400 men
• 3,600 men
• 4,200 men

9) What kind of boats were used to cross the Delaware River?

• Durham boats
• Kaiser boats
• Baker boats

10) On December 26 that the army completed the crossing and it took another hour to get the troops organized for an attack. What time was the crossing completed?

• 1:00 a.m.
• 3:00 a.m.
• 5:00 a.m.