Lost Chapters
Crossing the Delaware: Cobalt Event
On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington led the Continental Army across the icy Delaware River and attacked the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey, at dawn on December 26. The surprise victory captured hundreds of soldiers and their supplies and lifted American morale after months of defeats.
- Cost
- 7 crystals
- Type
- Event · Triumph
- Color
- Cobalt (Thinkers & Dreamers)
- Rarity
- Common
- Set
- Liberty & Lightning (Set 1)
Triumph
Refresh your characters. They get +2/+0 and Swift this turn.
Daring military maneuver proving that Christmas night boat rides can decisively change the fortunes of nations.
The real history
By the fall of 1776 the Continental Army had suffered a string of defeats in New York and northern New Jersey and had retreated across the Delaware River. Washington's army was short of supplies, and many soldiers' enlistments were about to expire.
Washington planned a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton, about 1,500 German troops under Colonel Johann Rall who were serving with the British. He wanted three forces to cross the river on Christmas night. A storm, ice and a nor'easter forced two of the columns to turn back, and only Washington's main force, roughly 2,000 to 2,400 men, crossed. They arrived at Trenton about three hours behind schedule.
Rall had been warned that an attack might come, but he did not build defenses, and his men were worn out from weeks of harassment by militia. Early on December 26 the Americans struck and quickly overwhelmed them. Estimates put American losses at about five killed and the Hessians at 22 killed, 83 wounded and about 800 captured, and the Americans also took cannon and supplies.
The victory revived American spirits and encouraged men to stay in the army. Washington crossed the Delaware again about a week later and fought another battle at Trenton on January 3, 1777, followed by an attack on British forces at Princeton.
Sources
- Stories (Washington's Crossing of the Delaware), Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River, National Park Service
- Trenton Battle Facts and Summary, American Battlefield Trust
How the card plays
Crossing the Delaware costs 7 crystals and is a Cobalt Event with Triumph. Refresh your characters, and they get +2/+0 and Swift this turn.
It is a second-attack card. Charge with your team first, then play it so they refresh and can attack again, each hitting 2 harder, and any character you played this turn gets to join in because of Swift. It is strongest with a full field of 5 characters. Independence Day is another Triumph that refreshes your characters and gives +2/+2 for only 4 crystals, though it does not add Swift. Lexington & Concord gives your Soldiers and Rebels +1/+0, and George Washington, Freeworld Founder gives the rest of your characters +1/+1, so the swing-back is even bigger.
- Playable in decks led by Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, George Washington.
- A Signature card of George Washington: it costs 1 less while Washington leads your deck.
- In the Dr. King starter deck (1 copy). Deck code:
LC2-BAABAQICAQMBBAEFAQYBBwEIAQkCCgILAQwBDQIOAg8BEAIRARICEwIUAhUBFgEXARgBGQEaARsBHAEdAR4B3v4 - In the Armstrong starter deck (1 copy). Deck code:
LC2-AQABAQECAQMBBAEFAQYBBwEIAgkCCgILAQwBDQIOAQ8BEAERARICEwIUARUBFgEXARgBGQEaARsBHAIdAR4BfQK1eQ - In the Washington starter deck (2 copies). Deck code:
LC2-BhoCgAKBAYIBgwGEAYUBhgKHAYgBiQGKAYsBjAKNAY4BjwGQAZEBkgGTAZQBlQGWAZcBmAGZAZoCmwGcAZ0BngGfAaABoQFBjA - A deck holds up to 3 copies of this card.
Questions about Crossing the Delaware
Where did Washington cross the Delaware River?
Washington crossed from Pennsylvania into New Jersey on the night of December 25, 1776, then marched to attack the Hessian garrison in Trenton at dawn on December 26.
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