What would Americans identify as the most famous moment of the American Revolution? Some might choose the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" at Lexington and Concord, in Massachusetts. Others might pick the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, signaling victory for the American cause. For many Americans, though, it is the image of General George Washington crossing the mighty Delaware River that would come to mind first.
This image was made famous by Emanuel Leutze, a German-born painter who hoped to inspire reforms in his home country during the 1850s. His painting shows Washington standing with one knee bent at the front of a ship. The general is leading his troops to a surprise attack, an American flag waving above them. Leutze's painting has become iconic. Monumental in size (3.8 by 6.5 meters, or 12.4 by 21.3 feet) and symbolism, this painting has not only inspired extreme patriotism, it has also perpetuated some common misconceptions about Washington's surprise raid on Hessian forces.
Washington's Troops Were Losing Hope
The Hessians were hired German soldiers who fought for the British. Washington attacked their military base in Trenton, New Jersey, on Christmas Day 1776, inspiring new hope for the Patriot Army. Supplies were low, as was morale, during this period. Washington feared more troubles were ahead for the Continental Army. As losses mounted for the Americans, it became more difficult to retain soldiers, with many choosing to desert rather than face a cold winter with limited supplies.
Washington understood the importance of a much-needed victory before the year let out, and a group of around 1,300 to 1,500 Hessians at Trenton became his target. Washington and his men (around 2,400) were part of a larger plan that included two other crossings led by other American military leaders. However, only Washington and his men were successful in reaching the Hessians. They arrived in Trenton with support from Colonel Henry Knox, who was stationed with men at the top of the town. Washington and his soldiers sailed on cargo ships that ranged from 12 to 18 meters (40 to 60 feet) in length. On the icy waters of the Delaware River, they were hit with a harsh rain that turned to a snow-sleet mix by midnight. Traveling with horses and more men behind him, Washington had support from experienced seamen. They were under the command of Colonel John Glover at the crossing site.
A Representation of the Attack
This is quite the contrast from the image portrayed by Leutze's painting. Washington's ship was much larger than is painted, the men in the painting's boat represent a diverse group of 12 soldiers, and the flag in the image was not actually designed until after the event took place.
Leutze's work was more of a representation of what the event, and Washington, specifically, symbolized. (It should be noted that Leutze tried to be accurate, but also hoped to inspire a greater purpose.) His portrait has become intermixed with the history of the moment itself. That has made it difficult for some to separate reality from folklore.
The Hessians were somewhat aware an attack was coming, thanks to a British spy located inside Washington's headquarters. Although the Hessians did not fully expect Washington to attack, they were on alert that it was possible. Constant false alarms coupled with bad weather conditions gave Washington the surprise opening he and his men needed to launch a successful attack. Once the Continental Army arrived onshore, their execution was excellent. The Hessians surrendered before morning and the Americans suffered few causalities. Stories of this bold, overwhelming American victory grew in legend as they reached other colonists.
A Portrait that Is Larger than Life
The morale boost that resulted from Washington's surprise attack has continued to grow in legend in classrooms across the country. In large part, this is because of Emanuel Leutze's portrait. Painted larger in size than the other men on the boat, Washington's stature represents the importance of his role in the American cause. Leutze completed his painting during the 1850s, a period of unrest and division in the United States. He intended the work to suggest a sense of national pride and unity. Many studies have been done to analyze Leutze's use of the Stars and Stripes flag or his placing of a diverse group of Americans in Washington's boat.
These symbols reinforced the hopes that Leutze had for his own country of Germany. At the same time, they also contributed to the creation of an American icon. Today, the painting hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It continues to inspire people while reminding them of the incredible challenges Washington and his men faced.
