Tater Hales' Dispatch from the American Revolution Crossing the Delaware - Dec. 26, 1776

People never had to tell me what to do, so I never put much of my Tater brain to think much about leaders. But I've changed my mind after watching Gen. Washington since we had to high-tail it out of New York. Not only did he keep this army together to fight the British another day, but he's kept the soldiers ready to do anything, including crossing a frozen Delware River.
I watch him just like all the Continental soldiers do.
Last night with everyone's mind on Christmas, Gen. Washington ordered readings of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," just published three days ago in Philadelphia.
But I can't help but wonder what awaits this army, as well as its general, on the other side of this frozen pond. What are the consequences now that we've crossed? What would they be if we didn't cross? These are the questions that must be going through the general's mind, yet you never see Gen. Washington waiver once he makes a decision.
Some musket-mouth, smart-alecks poked fun at the general's retreat after the disastrous defeat at Long Island.
But Gen. Washington himself put it best. "The army had to be saved at all costs," he said.
"Unless we are absolutely forced into, we shall avoid a large battle. With the fate of America at stake, our job is to prolong this war as much as possible."
John Adams said the difference at Long Island was "in general, our generals were outgeneraled." I'm not the quickest revolver on the battlefield, but if the look on Gen. Washington's face is telling me anything, I say that won't happen again. The general seems to know he needs to take a gamble to hold the troops together and keep our little revolution alive.
Since the defeat at Long Island, followed by losses at Forts Washington and Lee on the Hudson River, our army's been in a sad condition. Our 6,000 troops are tired, hungry and footsore. Half of the volunteers plan on leaving as soon as their enlistments expire by the first day of 1777. The army limped its way through New Jersey to this spot on the Delaware River, with Trenton and its British and Hessian mercenaries not too far away.
But we look at our general and find renewed hope. This army is still alive. The long winter's almost over. We have more fight left in our liberty-craving souls.
This is just Tater thinking on his way to Trenton, but the bottom line after this miserable winter of 1776 is this: The general seems to think we're about to do something big. So do I.