On the Delaware, reenactors escape Washington's hardships

TITUSVILLE, N.J. - George Washington made his Christmas trip across the Delaware River on Thursday with considerably better weather than the first time.

Reenactors playing the general and his troops crossed the Delaware in the 62d restaging of the daring Christmas 1776 crossing - the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War - between Washington Crossing, Bucks County, and Titusville.

As opposed to the severe weather - snow and freezing temperatures - that Washington and his troops faced in 1776, the annual reenactment was done under mostly sunny skies and 50-degree temperatures.

Hundreds of people lined both sides of the river to watch as reenactors used four replica Durham boats like the ones Washington's troops used. The actor playing Washington boarded the final boat, and a cannon blasted as he reached the other side.

During the original crossing, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 18 cannons across the river. Washington's troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton.

Thirty Hessians were killed, and two Continental soldiers froze to death on the march, but none died in battle.