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Crossing The Delaware: A History In Many Voices
Detailed paintings, letters from fictional soldiers, and true-life accounts are combined to tell the dramatic tale of General Washington's crossing of Delaware and the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War during the winter of 1776.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1998
About the author
Louise Peacock
14 books1 followerLouise Peacock, who has always been interested in history, took a PhD in medieval studies before turning to children's liturature. Her first book, Crossing the Delaware, was inspired by a trip with her son to Washington's Crossing.
Dr. Peacock lives in Haslett, Michigan.
Dr. Peacock lives in Haslett, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 8, 2026
Okay, so CROSSING THE DELAWARE is a children's book, but it is worth adults checking out as well. After you have read it, encourage your children to read it, or make it a bedtime story. With all the crap they are teaching in schools these days while neglecting to teach them the basics like reading and math, you will be helping to further your kids' education.
The title continues with the words "A history in many voices." Included are bits and phrases from real military correspondence as well as letters from fictional soldiers. Though fictional, originals may be hard to find, events tend to support the narratives. In the telling of this important American event, a Continental soldier is writing letters home to his dear wife. He tells of the hardships the men are suffering, such as some wrapping rags around their feet, or marching barefoot in the snow. Food was scarce. Moral was low. The army had not won a single victory. All they ever did was retreat. Although independence from a foreign power so far away, in those days, was a desire that made them enlist in the first place, their term of enlistment would be up in a few short days. Many a soldier had been farmers and they looked forward to returning home, even if their dreams of freedom were crushed. General Washington knew that the fight for freedom would die with the Continental Army. What he needed was a victory.
Across the Delaware River were the Hessian troops. These men were mercenaries hired by the English king. They were professionals, a force to be reckoned with. Their commander was Colonel Rall, and he despised the Americans. The Hessians were quartered in the little town of Trenton. Except for a few sentries, most were snug in their beds after celebrating Christmas.
George Washington's men weren't in bed. They were on the move. Washington was one of the first to cross the river. His officers encouraged him to go inside and warm himself by a fire. He refused. Sharing their lot in the cold, he watched his men cross the river. After crossing the Delaware, while the Hessians were sleeping, they marched through the blizzard to arrive at Trenton in the morning.
No one knew if surprise had been achieved, or even if their muskets would fire after being exposed to the freezing sleet throughout the night. Still, the army advanced into Trenton.
Total surprise was miraculously achieved. Not only did the Continentals drive the Hessians out of Trenton, but they captured 868 of them and killed or wounded 106 more. Their war booty was six captured cannon and a thousand muskets. Colonel Rall died leading his men. Not a single American was killed, and only four wounded. It was a great victory!
Even with their victory, the men looked forward to leaving the army on January 1st. They were offered a ten dollar bounty, but still the men would not stay. The officers begged them to stay just one month longer. Nothing moved them until their general told them what was at stake. What he said inspired them to stay, and thus the future of the American colonies was decided.
The title continues with the words "A history in many voices." Included are bits and phrases from real military correspondence as well as letters from fictional soldiers. Though fictional, originals may be hard to find, events tend to support the narratives. In the telling of this important American event, a Continental soldier is writing letters home to his dear wife. He tells of the hardships the men are suffering, such as some wrapping rags around their feet, or marching barefoot in the snow. Food was scarce. Moral was low. The army had not won a single victory. All they ever did was retreat. Although independence from a foreign power so far away, in those days, was a desire that made them enlist in the first place, their term of enlistment would be up in a few short days. Many a soldier had been farmers and they looked forward to returning home, even if their dreams of freedom were crushed. General Washington knew that the fight for freedom would die with the Continental Army. What he needed was a victory.
Across the Delaware River were the Hessian troops. These men were mercenaries hired by the English king. They were professionals, a force to be reckoned with. Their commander was Colonel Rall, and he despised the Americans. The Hessians were quartered in the little town of Trenton. Except for a few sentries, most were snug in their beds after celebrating Christmas.
George Washington's men weren't in bed. They were on the move. Washington was one of the first to cross the river. His officers encouraged him to go inside and warm himself by a fire. He refused. Sharing their lot in the cold, he watched his men cross the river. After crossing the Delaware, while the Hessians were sleeping, they marched through the blizzard to arrive at Trenton in the morning.
No one knew if surprise had been achieved, or even if their muskets would fire after being exposed to the freezing sleet throughout the night. Still, the army advanced into Trenton.
Total surprise was miraculously achieved. Not only did the Continentals drive the Hessians out of Trenton, but they captured 868 of them and killed or wounded 106 more. Their war booty was six captured cannon and a thousand muskets. Colonel Rall died leading his men. Not a single American was killed, and only four wounded. It was a great victory!
Even with their victory, the men looked forward to leaving the army on January 1st. They were offered a ten dollar bounty, but still the men would not stay. The officers begged them to stay just one month longer. Nothing moved them until their general told them what was at stake. What he said inspired them to stay, and thus the future of the American colonies was decided.
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December 11, 2021Louise took seriously the challenge of culturally authentic history when it merely involved crossing oceans and ancient languages to tell the story of Guinevere in pre-Christian presentations of damsels in distress, as opposed to warrior choices of alliances and lovers. Among the books Louise wrote was the American rebels crossing the Delaware. In think Louise's latest story of immigrants is less likely to be appropriated in telling our authentic stories of the strengths upon which our children can draw.
I laud Louise's efforts and example.
I laud Louise's efforts and example.
May 4, 2024
A well-done history book that really makes the famous crossing come to life. The mix of a modern-day narrator visiting the historic site, the fictional letters from one of Washington’s soldiers to his wife, and quotes from historic documents kept it interesting for me. My kids’ reviews were a bit mixed. My younger son was riveted, but my older one got it in his head that he disliked the letters once he learned that they weren’t from a real person.
May 13, 2022
A quick read for bigger kids or young teens. Telling one story from the perspective of many gives us a clear picture of what happened on that day.
October 27, 2011
Love it! There is just too much to quote. I had no idea that the night they crossed the Delaware was on Christmas day (I need more history in my life). There is just so much to learn. I believe that children's picture books teach me the best. I love pictures and stories together, it helps to stick in my head better.
I love this story about General Washington about the night they crossed. It helped me feel as if I was there for a moment, "General Washington was one of the first men on the New Jersey shore. His officers thought he should go inside and stand by a warm fire. He refused. He found an old empty beehive and sat on it all night, the snow and the sleet beating down on him, watching his army cross the river." That determination, I believe, is one reason America gained freedom!
I love this story about General Washington about the night they crossed. It helped me feel as if I was there for a moment, "General Washington was one of the first men on the New Jersey shore. His officers thought he should go inside and stand by a warm fire. He refused. He found an old empty beehive and sat on it all night, the snow and the sleet beating down on him, watching his army cross the river." That determination, I believe, is one reason America gained freedom!
June 5, 2012
In the many voices we have the ability to see how the Revolutionay War has affected each person, whether it is Goerge Washinton, one of his solders, or other staff members.however, there was one prominent voice thought the story, which was a letter to his dear Jenny. Majority of the artwork were illustrated using impressionist style, and some portraits. This would be great book to support any unit dealing with the American Revolution.
April 1, 2011
I used this book in my fourth grade class during PTLS. The students really liked looking at the detailed illustrations. It was very helpful for making predictions. I used an illustration and asked the students to tell me everything they notice, and to predict who the people were in the painting, and what they were doing. It was a fun way to introduce the lesson.
December 9, 2019
A short, concise little book that mixes fiction with historical detail in this telling of the battle at Trenton in 1776, of the Revolutionary War. The story is well written enough, but is the lovely, distinctive mural-style art of illustrator Walter Lyon Krudop that makes this book beautiful and well worth reading.
February 21, 2022
3 voices: the author in 1st person wondering about Washington’s feelings (would have been better in third person asking questions), a fictitious soldier writing like 20th Century kid (so badly), and a real account from a primary source (real letter or diary). The real quotes from real people’s diaries and the illustrations are excellent. The other two voices ruin the book.
June 17, 2010
some of the soldiers had no shoes, they crossed the Delaware and marched on Trenton in the sleet and snow w/nothing but rags on their feet. and washington was damn near out of hope. he had a week to do the miraculous.
August 28, 2012
Loved it! Moved me to tears reading about what these men endured. From complete desperation to triumph, they made the impossible possible. Very descriptive with both the information and feel for the time. A must read when talking to students about this time in history.
October 7, 2014
I loved the variety of voices used, a present-day narrator, letters of a fictional soldier to his wife back home, and true accounts from the time. Together with Walter Lyon Krudop's dramatic artwork history is brought to life. A welcome addition to our study of the American Revolution.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews