Washington's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

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'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the ranks, not a soldier was

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stirring on that Delaware River Bank.

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The horses were prepped for the Durham boats with care in hopes that George

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Washington's soon would be there.

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The enemy were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of

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Deutschland danced in their heads.

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Hamilton and his kerchief and I dreamt of Hessians.

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We had just settled down after a long planning session.

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When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the

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bed to see what was the matter.

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Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the

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shutters and threw up the sash!

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The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave the luster

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of midday to objects below.

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When what do my wondering eyes should appear, but General George

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Washington and four Brigadier.

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With a crisp winter coat, so sharp and deep blue, I knew

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in a moment it must be GW.

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More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and

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shouted and called them by name.

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Now Mercer, now Clair on Sterling and Stephen, on Hamilton, on

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Greene, on Barron von Steuben!

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To the top of the banks, we seek the enemy, Colonel Rall.

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Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!

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As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet

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with an obstacle mount to the sky.

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So up to the riverbanks his coursers they flew, with plans for a

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crossing and George Washington too.

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And then in a twinkling I saw with my lamp, the stirring and

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shouting of a future aide de camp.

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As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the road General

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Washington came with a bound.

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He was dressed for a battle looking ready to go, and he carried that

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sword the lion headed cuttoe.

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A bundle of orders he had flung on his back, greeting all of

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his men and opening his pack.

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His eyes, how they twinkled,

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he was taller than many, Pennsylvania cold winter made his nose like a cherry.

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His normally firm mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the hair on

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his head was as white as the snow.

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Of course, there was Hamilton that ambitious tomcat, his breath huffing and

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puffing with cannons this way and that.

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I could see this man's focus,

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he was yet 21, we all knew this man's mind had yet seen the sun.

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The scouts were preparing, led by young James Monroe and I tensed

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when I saw them preparing to go.

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But a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me

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to know I had nothing to dread.

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George spoke not a word, but went straight to work.

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Giving orders and handshakes, then turned with a jerk.

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And laying his hand upon his three cornered hat,

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with a nod and a whisper to his horse with a pat.

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He sprang to the shoreline lists of naughty and nice, and away

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they all rowed, avoiding the ice.

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But I heard him exclaim as he drift out of sight.

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"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Merry

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Christmas from Walk with History.