Liberty: The American Revolution (Episode 3)

“The Times That Try Men’s Souls” 1776-1777

Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force of 32,000 men commanded by Gen. William Howe, supported by a powerful fleet under the command of his brother Admiral Richard Howe arrives in New York harbour. After a series of defeats, Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping Hessian garrison of three regiments in Trenton.