Revolutionary Saturday: How George Washington Spent His Christmas, 1776

Think you’ve got a lot going on for Christmas?

Around this time on Christmas Eve, 1776, George Washington was probably busy planning his deadly attack against the Hessians. You know it as when Washington crossed the Delaware. But what happened after that – when he marched his troops to Trenton, NJ -  made it one of goriest Christmas nights ever.

He had to do it, I know. War is indeed hell. And after all, those Hessians had it coming. Heartless mercenaries. They preferred to kill American soldiers rather than go to the trouble of taking prisoners. They really had to go.

The problem I have with the whole thing is the fact that so many people glorify this moment in Washington’s military career – often citing it was his greatest. Slaughtering a bunch of drunk and sleeping men on Christmas night is not glorious.

Much more valiant were his actions following the Battle of Long Island, when he managed to cross his 10,000 men across the East River to safety. Perhaps no one brings this feat up because he lost the battle. Or maybe it’s because no one captured the moment in a painting.

It was a noble thing to not give up even after losing at the Battle of Long Island, and saving all his men. There would not have been a crossing of the Delaware if not for the crossing of the East River first.

That said, it was a necessary, sad, grim thing which Washington set out to do on Christmas night, 1776. Remember him for both feats, and remember the men who left their families and spent Christmas fighting for our freedom.

Enjoy that freedom, and enjoy your holidays.

May peace and love be with you.

 PS: If you'd like to see illustrator Bill Farnsworth's depiction of the retreat from the Battle of Long Island, check out my book, By the Sword. They are stunning paintings - and the writing's not bad, either ;)

It's Revolutionary Saturday!

Last week I told you about Benjamin Tallmadge, who organized the Culper Spy Ring – recruiting old friends from his hometown of Setauket, Long Island.

Each member of that ring has a special story. Imagine someone like you or me secretly becoming a spy. These were ordinary people, which was why Tallmadge chose them. They belonged there, and they wouldn’t be suspected.

Today I will focus on Austin Roe. A tavern keeper – and the courier for the ring.

You know how Paul Revere did that all-night ride to warn people that the British were coming?

Austin Roe rode fifty-five from Setauket to Manhattan and back again many times during the war. He didn’t yell out anything. He did something more dangerous: He carried secret messages from Robert Townsend - the spy situated in Manhattan - directed to George Washington.

A sample of the spy code the Culpers used.
(They also used invisible ink when it was available.)

If caught by the British, Austin would surely be hanged.

If caught by highway robbers – who roamed the thick woods Roe’s horse galloped though on their long journey – he would surely be shot.

Indeed, at least on one documented occasion, Roe greeted his wife cheerfully upon his return – showing her a bullet hole through his hat.



Austin Roe and his horse, as depicted by illustrators Jeff Crosby & Shelley Ann Jackson



Austin Roe loved this fast and dangerous life. He thrived on propulsion and the thrill of the chase. It was sitting still which drove him to distraction -­ as he was forced to do when hiding out in Robert Townsend’s room, waiting for Townsend to gather information.



Austin Roe's Tavern



That Austin Roe was never caught in his years of carrying messages to Washington is akin to miraculous. He is another unsung hero of the American Revolution ­- an ordinary man driven to extraordinary measures by his immeasurable quest for freedom.



Austin Roe as depicted on a Setauket school mural, sans hat.



When you complain about your long commute, think of Austin Roe racing through the nights. And remember his poor, tired horse - whose name, alas, I do not know.