"Washington's March to Trenton on Christmas Night 1776"
(225th Anniversary Re-Enactment, Saturday, December 29, 2001)

The March to Trenton was one of several events marking the 225th Anniversary Celebration of that event, including: 1) Crossing the Delaware, 2) March to Trenton, 3) First Battle of Trenton, 4) Second Battle of Trenton, and 5) Battle of Princeton. The Re-Enactment of the March to Trenton started in Washington's Crossing, New Jersey at 6:00 a.m. Saturday. It began at the Delaware River, and proceeded along Pennington Road to Bear Tavern, and then down Bear Tavern Road (Route 759)to Birmingham located at Upper Ferry Road. Unlike the Dr. Carlos E. Godfrey (1925) scenario, local historians in Ewing Township have adopted the earlier version which Dr. Godfrey claimed (in a ten page analysis) was in error as relates to Birmingham. Dr. Godfrey believed the two divisions separated at Bear Tavern just like it said in the Order of March. But Ewing Township local historians believe the original version, which is the one most histories still show. Meanwhile, Ewing Township appears to have sponsored the erection of a sign at the Birmingham intersection. It was inspiring to march behind General Sullivan's division, as they marched the 1.3 miles from Upper Ferry Road to Lower Ferry Road, where another group of re-enactors joined the march. Sullivan's Division continued without stopping, crossing Lower Ferry Road and continuing along "Sullivan's Way" toward Trenton. It was equally as inspiring to later rejoin Sullivan's Division at the assembly point about 1 mile outside Trenton. They resumed the march at 11:00 a.m. Part way down West State Street (formerly River Road), General Sullivan's Division encountered Hessian Guards, who fired single shots as they retreated toward the center of town. The main attack occurred at Calhoun Street.

Another part of the re-enactment started at the Hessian Barracks near the center of town. The Hessians fell-out of their barracks and marched up Broad Street to the Washington Monument where they waited for the advancing Greene's Division, which entered Trenton from the Pennington Road. The remaining troops, mostly British, marched up West State Street to Calhoun Street to face Sullivan's Division. So there were two engagements occurring at the same time. In both cases, the enemy gradually withdrew in the direction of Assunpink Creek, which is where the surrender occurred.

Continental troops arriving at Birmingham
Crossing Lower Ferry Road Photo A
Crossing Lower Ferry Road Photo B
Crossing Lower Ferry Road Photo C
Calhoun Street British Line