General George Washington watched his force of 2400 troops march up from the boats on the river over the road in the immediate foreground. Through his officers he directed the assembly and assignments of the units of Gen. Greene’s and Gen. Sullivan’s divisions on Colonial Lane, on the left, and the assembly field beyond the road to ferry landing. During the landing Washington frequently returned to the comfort of the tavern to review with his guides and officers the strategy of the approach to Trenton. To ensure secrecy, Washington directed Gen. Stephens to encircle the landing area with pickets so that no man might leave or enter. He ordered a profound silence to be enjoined, and no man to quit his ranks on pain of death. No fires were permitted. The Continental soldiers, cold and miserable as they waited in the dark, did not know that in a few hours they would mold history in an incredible victory.
