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

stirring on that Delaware River Bank.

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

Washington's soon would be there.

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

Deutschland danced in their heads.

Hamilton and his kerchief and I dreamt of Hessians.

We had just settled down after a long planning session.

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

bed to see what was the matter.

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

shutters and threw up the sash!

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

of midday to objects below.

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

Washington and four Brigadier.

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

in a moment it must be GW.

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

shouted and called them by name.

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

Greene, on Barron von Steuben!

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

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

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

with an obstacle mount to the sky.

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

crossing and George Washington too.

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

shouting of a future aide de camp.

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

Washington came with a bound.

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

sword the lion headed cuttoe.

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

his men and opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled,

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

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

his head was as white as the snow.

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

puffing with cannons this way and that.

I could see this man's focus,

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

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

when I saw them preparing to go.

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

to know I had nothing to dread.

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

Giving orders and handshakes, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his hand upon his three cornered hat,

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

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

they all rowed, avoiding the ice.

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

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

Christmas from Walk with History.