Bill Text: NJ AR221 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges U.S. Postal Service to issue postage stamp commemorating General Washington's crossing of Delaware River.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-11-25 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR221 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AR221-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ANTHONY S. VERRELLI
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Urges U.S. Postal Service to issue postage stamp commemorating General Washington's crossing of Delaware River.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River.
Whereas, In the fall of 1776, the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington was in desperate straits and American colonists doubted the army's ability to fend off the British after having been defeated in Manhattan, New York and having to retreat from New York City; and
Whereas, Following the forced abandonment of Fort Lee, General Washington crossed his army into New Jersey, moving south to Newark then to New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, and finally across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, At this point during the war, the bedraggled Continental Army was demoralized, greatly outnumbered, undertrained, and badly equipped; and
Whereas, Recognizing the desperate situation and the need to restore the army's and the nascent country's dwindling fortunes, General Washington decided to conduct a surprise attack upon a Hessian garrison of roughly 1,400 soldiers in Trenton; and
Whereas After several councils of war, General Washington set the date for the river crossing for Christmas night, December 26, 1776; and
Whereas, The planned timetable called for Washington's army to march 10 miles to the river crossing site, cross the river, then march to Trenton; and
Whereas, The arrival of a strong winter storm delayed the crossing by three hours and jeopardized Washington's carefully choreographed attack plan; and
Whereas, After crossing the ice-choked river, the approximately 2,400 soldiers of the Continental Army marched south, which took about four hours, to attack the unprepared Hessian soldiers; and
Whereas, Throughout the perilous journey, snow and sleet lashed Washington's tired, hungry, and ill-clothed army, but the soldiers persevered; and
Whereas, Upon reaching Trenton, the Continental Army attacked the Hessian garrison of soldiers resulting in approximately 22 Hessians killed, 92 wounded, 950 captured; and
Whereas, It is estimated two soldiers of the Continental Army were killed and four wounded with many dying in the days after due to exposure and exhaustion; and
Whereas, The crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent victory at the Battle of Trenton turned the tide of the American Revolutionary war and bolstered morale among the Continental Army; and
Whereas,
It is fitting and proper to commemorate General Washington's crossing of the
Delaware River and recognize an important event in this State's and the nation's
history; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River and respectfully urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, the Citizens' Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service, and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating General Washington's crossing of Delaware River. In the fall of 1776, the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington was in desperate straits after having been defeated in Manhattan, New York and having to retreat from New York City. Morale was low among troops and American colonists doubted the army's ability to fend off the British. Recognizing the desperate situation and the need to restore the army's and the American colonist's hope, General Washington decided to conduct a surprise attack upon a Hessian garrison of soldiers in Trenton on December 26, 1776.
General Washington ordered the troops to cross the Delaware River just after dark. After being delayed by a severe winter storm, the troops crossed the icy river and marched south to Trenton. Upon reaching Trenton, the Continental Army attacked the Hessian soldiers. Approximately 22 Hessians were killed, 92 wounded, and 950 captured. It is estimated two soldiers of the Continental Army were killed and four wounded. The Crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent victory at the Battle of Trenton turned the tide of the American Revolutionary war and bolstered morale. The United States Postal Service is respectfully urged to issue a postage stamp commemorating this historic event.
