Battles of Trenton and Princeton... Washington crosses the Delaware...
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May 17, 1777
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, May 17, 1777
* Mention of Washington crossing the Delaware
* Terrific report announcing George Washington's victory at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton
Half of the ftpg. is taken up with a report concerning the laws regarding the destruction of the public street lamps of Phila., "...in order that offenders for the future may not plead ignorance."
Most of the balance of the ftpg. is taken up with a very rare illustration of an instrument of war, what is apparently a form of a Molotov cocktail headed: "Description of the machine found in the dockyard at Portsmouth intended to set it on fire."
Page 2 has some nice & very historic reports concerning the battles of Trenton & Princeton, one portion even mentioning Washington crossing the Delaware.
The report is datelined from London and is the news as received at the British capital from America, so given with a pro-British bias. Some of the text includes:
"...The taking of Lee is said to be true; he is confined at Brunswick. The taking of 900 or more...of the Hessians at Trenton is also true; they behaved indifferently, having an eye to the preservation of their plunder more than to fighting. Soon after this affair the Americans, under General Washington, crossed the Delaware and marched to Princeton where they made a regular and steady attack on the King's forces who was posted there...Washington was obliged to desist, with the loss of between four & five hundred...In consequence of these actions all thoughts formerly entertained of going to Philadelphia were entirely given over & it was resolved to narrow or lessen the cantonments of the army in order to keep them nearer together during the winter...The friends of government admit that, upon the whole, the news is disagreeable and the military gentlemen call the affair at Princeton a military check...The Ministers confess that the American officers out generalled our officers in Jersey. After the defeat of the Hessians at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis collected all the British & foreigners in Jersey with the intention of attacking General Washington at Trenton but after reconnoitring his situation Lord Cornwallis declined it. Mean while a detachment from General Washington, marching to cut off his Lordship's retreat to Princeton, fell in with the ...regiments going to reinforce Lord Cornwallis; an action ensued in which the two regiments were totally defeated..." with more on this very historic turning point of the Revolutionary War (see photos).
A few notes on this text:
1) General Lee was an American general who was captured by the British on December 13 while venturing too far from his troops in an effort to find suitable lodgings.
2) The mention of the the defeat of the 900 Hessians at Trenton is the very historic Battle of Trenton which was the result of this Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware River by Washington and his troops, surprising the Hessians.
3) The mention of the crossing of the Delaware was actually Washington's second crossing over to New Jersey which resulted in the battle of Princeton, a victory for the Americans.
This is a great account of the turning point of the Revolutionary War, beginning with Washington's surprise attack on the Hessians after crossing the Delaware, followed by the victory at the battle of Princeton. These victories would boost the sagging morale of the American cause and lead to further victories and eventual success in winning the Revolutionary War.
Additionally, page 3 has nearly half a column signed in type by: Charles Wilson Peale, of the Penna. House of Assembly, concerning the war, with a portion including: "...those who are for supporting the independence of the United States as declared by Congress are those who are not...".
The bkpg. has over a full column with some discussion on governance and some reference to the Revolutionary war, plus an ad for a soldier who deserted from the war. This is the complete four page newspaper, measuring 8 by 10 in., very nice, clean condition.
One can imagine what the original owner of this newspaper must have thought when they read this very newspaper 231 years ago and learned of the latest war events of the day. Holding this newspaper is truly holding history in your hands!
How has such an issue survived thru the years?
This issue was likely kept by a library in a bound volume since 1777 along with other issues of the same year, used by patrons and safely stored for all this time. We purchased this issue from sources who at one point acquired it directly from the library and now make it available--once again--to the general public.
Our eBay Store tells much about our 31 years of experience in the sale of rare newspapers. Every item we sell is absolutely genuine.
Shipped Flat and Protectively Packaged Along With a Protective Archival Folder for Safe Keeping.
Tim Hughes (570) 326-1045
* Mention of Washington crossing the Delaware
* Terrific report announcing George Washington's victory at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton
Half of the ftpg. is taken up with a report concerning the laws regarding the destruction of the public street lamps of Phila., "...in order that offenders for the future may not plead ignorance."
Most of the balance of the ftpg. is taken up with a very rare illustration of an instrument of war, what is apparently a form of a Molotov cocktail headed: "Description of the machine found in the dockyard at Portsmouth intended to set it on fire."
Page 2 has some nice & very historic reports concerning the battles of Trenton & Princeton, one portion even mentioning Washington crossing the Delaware.
The report is datelined from London and is the news as received at the British capital from America, so given with a pro-British bias. Some of the text includes:
"...The taking of Lee is said to be true; he is confined at Brunswick. The taking of 900 or more...of the Hessians at Trenton is also true; they behaved indifferently, having an eye to the preservation of their plunder more than to fighting. Soon after this affair the Americans, under General Washington, crossed the Delaware and marched to Princeton where they made a regular and steady attack on the King's forces who was posted there...Washington was obliged to desist, with the loss of between four & five hundred...In consequence of these actions all thoughts formerly entertained of going to Philadelphia were entirely given over & it was resolved to narrow or lessen the cantonments of the army in order to keep them nearer together during the winter...The friends of government admit that, upon the whole, the news is disagreeable and the military gentlemen call the affair at Princeton a military check...The Ministers confess that the American officers out generalled our officers in Jersey. After the defeat of the Hessians at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis collected all the British & foreigners in Jersey with the intention of attacking General Washington at Trenton but after reconnoitring his situation Lord Cornwallis declined it. Mean while a detachment from General Washington, marching to cut off his Lordship's retreat to Princeton, fell in with the ...regiments going to reinforce Lord Cornwallis; an action ensued in which the two regiments were totally defeated..." with more on this very historic turning point of the Revolutionary War (see photos).
A few notes on this text:
1) General Lee was an American general who was captured by the British on December 13 while venturing too far from his troops in an effort to find suitable lodgings.
2) The mention of the the defeat of the 900 Hessians at Trenton is the very historic Battle of Trenton which was the result of this Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware River by Washington and his troops, surprising the Hessians.
3) The mention of the crossing of the Delaware was actually Washington's second crossing over to New Jersey which resulted in the battle of Princeton, a victory for the Americans.
This is a great account of the turning point of the Revolutionary War, beginning with Washington's surprise attack on the Hessians after crossing the Delaware, followed by the victory at the battle of Princeton. These victories would boost the sagging morale of the American cause and lead to further victories and eventual success in winning the Revolutionary War.
Additionally, page 3 has nearly half a column signed in type by: Charles Wilson Peale, of the Penna. House of Assembly, concerning the war, with a portion including: "...those who are for supporting the independence of the United States as declared by Congress are those who are not...".
The bkpg. has over a full column with some discussion on governance and some reference to the Revolutionary war, plus an ad for a soldier who deserted from the war. This is the complete four page newspaper, measuring 8 by 10 in., very nice, clean condition.
One can imagine what the original owner of this newspaper must have thought when they read this very newspaper 231 years ago and learned of the latest war events of the day. Holding this newspaper is truly holding history in your hands!
How has such an issue survived thru the years?
This issue was likely kept by a library in a bound volume since 1777 along with other issues of the same year, used by patrons and safely stored for all this time. We purchased this issue from sources who at one point acquired it directly from the library and now make it available--once again--to the general public.
Our eBay Store tells much about our 31 years of experience in the sale of rare newspapers. Every item we sell is absolutely genuine.
Shipped Flat and Protectively Packaged Along With a Protective Archival Folder for Safe Keeping.
Tim Hughes (570) 326-1045
Category: Revolutionary War
