It's the 244th anniversary of perhaps the single most important week in American history. Time for a thread on George Washington's greatest victories of the Revolution, which saved the Patriot war effort and won the admiration of people the world over.

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Though the Congress defiantly declared independence in 1776, the war was not going well. Washington suffered numerous severe defeats throughout the summer and autumn. New York fell to the British in August, with New Jersey shortly afterward.

Washington was losing the confidence of the Congress, the people, & his own men. An army that peaked at 15,000 in the summer now numbered fewer than 3000 by December. Enlistments would soon expire. Those who had stayed with Washington until now were losing faith in his abilities

Washington was not an educated military man, & was forced to learn on the fly. Men like Charles Lee — an officer trained in the British tradition — sought to replace him as commander in chief. Washington had one last chance to both prove his worth and save the Continental Army.

Washington and his staff decided on a daring overnight attack on the Hessian mercenary garrison at Trenton — across the icy Delaware River, and 9 miles upstream. Surprise was paramount. The ill-trained troops would march through freezing weather, many without coats or shoes.

The crossing began several hours late in the early hours of December 26. Many suffered frostbite. Washington had a letter sent to his senior officers — "Victory or Death." Everything was on the line.

The Hessians were hated by the Americans. They were highly disciplined, experienced, and ruthless. They had bayoneted surrendering American militia at the Battle of Long Island. The survivors — those crossing the freezing Delaware on early December 26 — wanted revenge.

Washington, "the greatest horseman of his age" (Thomas Jefferson), nearly lost his footing & fell into the river on multiple occasions. At one point, he had his horse leap up from the freezing waters. The troops cheered, & he silenced them, fearful that surprise would be lost.

To everyone's surprise, the crossing and march went off without a hitch. The Hessians were fast asleep from Christmas festivities, certain the Americans were several days away. At dawn, Hessian sentries spotted the Americans, but it was too late. The Americans stormed the town.

Despite a fierce resistance, the surprise arrival of the Americans caught the Germans off guard. Colonel Rall — Hessian commander at Long Island — was killed in the final stand near the town square. Morale collapsed. 900 men were captured. Two Americans died.

News of the defeat reached and enraged the British. Henry Clinton, commander of British troops in North America, ordered General Cornwallis to deal with Washington. Leaving a token force at Princeton, where his men had hoped to stay the winter, he left for Trenton with 5000 men.

When Cornwallis arrived on January 2, he found a rejuvenated American army bolstered by captured Hessian cannon entrenched along the Assunpink Creek, a tributary of the Delaware. A single bridge lay between Cornwallis and Washington. The Americans forced them back three times.

Washington had survived for the day, but was unsure if he could continue. News reached him: the British quarters in Princeton were lightly defended. He decided on another night march, giving Cornwallis the slip. They marched throughout the night.

By dawn, the vanguard arrived. Militia general Hugh Mercer, eager to crush the British quickly, pushed them back. But his rifle-equipped troops were countercharged with the British bayonet. Mercer was killed just as Washington arrived on the field.

Washington rallies the Americans, waving his hat and riding out in front of the line. "There is but a handful of the enemy and we shall have them directly!" American reinforcements were arriving. Colonel Mawhood, losing faith, ordered a retreat into the town, & then a withdrawal.

Cornwallis, his rear exposed, was unable to corner Washington. He withdrew closer to headquarters in New York. Patriots across the country were reinvigorated. Every soldier under his command re-enlisted. Thousands more joined. Washington saved the revolution through daring alone.

Washington became the talk of European courts. French, German, & Russian nobles gawked at his exploits. Frederick the Great said, "The military achievements of Washington over those 10 days were the most brilliant ever recorded." Victory was still 4 years away.