CHAPTER XLI. The Enemy Cross the Hudson—Retreat of the Garrison from Fort Lee—The Crossing of the Hackensack—Lee Ordered to Move to the West side of the River—Reed’s Letter to Him—Second Move of the Army Beyond the Passaic—Assistance sought from various quarters—Correspondence and Schemes of Lee—Heath stanch to his Instructions—Anxiety of George Clinton for the Safety of the Hudson—Critical Situation of the Army—Preparing Correspondence between Lee and Reed—Washington Retreats across the Raritan—Arrives at Trenton—Removes his Baggage across the Delaware—Dismay and Despondency of the Country—Proclamation of Lord Howe—Exultation of the Enemy—Washington’s Resolve in case of Extremity 403 CHAPTER XLII. Lee at Peekskill—Stanch Adherence of Heath to Orders—Lee Crosses the Hudson—Washington at Trenton—Lee at the heels of the Enemy—His Speculations on Military Greatness—Forced March of Cornwallis—Washington Crosses the Delaware—Putnam in Command at Philadelphia—Baffling Letters of Lee—Hopes to Reconquer the Jerseys—Gates on the March—Lee Quartered at Baskingridge—Surprised and Captured—Speculations on his Conduct 422 CHAPTER XLIII. Washington Clothed with Additional Powers—Recruitment of the Army—Increased Pay—Colonel John Cadwalader—Arrival of Sullivan—Gates—Wilkinson—A Coup de Main Meditated—Posture of Affairs at Trenton—Gates Declines to take a Part—His Comments on Washington’s Plans—Preparations for the Coup de Main—Crossing of the Delaware—Attack on the Enemy’s Forces at Trenton—Death of Rail—His Character 438 CHAPTER XLIV. Treatment of the Hessian Prisoners—Their Interviews with Washington—Their Reception by the People 459 CHAPTER XLV. Episode—Colonel Griffin in the Jerseys—Donop Decoyed—Inroad of Cadwalader and Reed—Retreat and Confusion of the Enemy’s Outposts—Washington Recrosses the Delaware with his Troops—The Game Reversed—The Hessians Hunted back through the Country—Washington made Military Dictator 463 CHAPTER XLVI. Howe learns of the Affair at Trenton—Cornwallis sent back to the Jerseys—Reconnoitering Expedition of Reed—His Exploits—Washington in Peril at Trenton—Reinforced by Troops under Cadwalader and Mifflin—Position of his Men—Cornwallis at Trenton—Repulsed at the Assunpink—The American Camp Menaced—Night March of Washington—Affair at Princeton—Death of Mercer—Rout of British Troops—Pursued by Washington—Cornwallis at Princeton—Baffled and Perplexed—Washington at Morristown—His System of Annoyance—The Tables Turned upon the Enemy 470