Colonel Johann Rall was enjoying...
Illustration
Colonel Johann Rall was enjoying a card game and liquor at his headquarters in Trenton, New Jersey, the day after Christmas, 1776. It was his deal. A porter brought the Hessian commander a message. Concentrating on his game, Rall tucked the note into a pocket.
Hours later, Rall lay dying after losing a battle, his headquarters, and the city of Trenton. The note in his pocket was a warning from a Loyalist spy that George Washington and the Continental Army had crossed the Delaware that morning and were marching on Trenton. Because the note was unread and forgotten, the attack was a complete surprise and all defenses were unorganized and ineffectual. Rall swore that if he had read the note the outcome would have been reversed.
For Washington, it was the first major victory of the Revolution, and exactly what he needed to boost the morale of his rag-tag army. And all because a message was ignored and forgotten.
Hours later, Rall lay dying after losing a battle, his headquarters, and the city of Trenton. The note in his pocket was a warning from a Loyalist spy that George Washington and the Continental Army had crossed the Delaware that morning and were marching on Trenton. Because the note was unread and forgotten, the attack was a complete surprise and all defenses were unorganized and ineffectual. Rall swore that if he had read the note the outcome would have been reversed.
For Washington, it was the first major victory of the Revolution, and exactly what he needed to boost the morale of his rag-tag army. And all because a message was ignored and forgotten.
