Congress now ordered increased pay to the troops, with liberal bounties, and by indefatigable exertions the ranks began to fill again. On the twenty-fourth of December, Washington’s army amounted to over ten thousand men, of which about half were effective. With these he determined to make a simultaneous attack upon the detached British posts on the New Jersey side. The main force, led by Washington in person, was to cross at M’Conkey’s Ferry, and fall upon the Hessians, under Rahl, at Trenton. Cadwallader was to cross near Bristol, and Ewing below Trenton Falls, to attack Mount Holly, Black Horse, Bordentown, and Burlington. He was aided unexpectedly by General Putnam, who commanded at Philadelphia. Learning of the design to attack Trenton, Putnam sent a small body of militia, under Colonel Griffin, to Mount Holly, where he was not to fight, but to retreat before the enemy. Count Donop, at Bordentown, fell into the trap, followed Griffin, and was not at hand to support Rahl at the critical moment. Neither Ewing nor Cadwallader could effect a crossing. The latter got a battalion of foot over the river, but not being able to cross the artillery, these had to return. [Illustration: RAHL’S HEAD-QUARTERS.] The incidents of the surprise are correctly given in the ballad. The loss of the Americans was only four—two frozen to death and two killed in battle. The loss of the Hessians amounted to six officers and over twenty men killed, and twenty-three officers and eight hundred and eighty-six privates made prisoners. Six brass field-pieces, four colors, and a thousand stand of arms were also taken. The effect of this movement was inspiriting, and gave great hope and encouragement to the Americans. The English commander, who had thought the war was at an end, now learned that his task had begun again. Numbers of Americans whose term of service had expired re-enlisted, and the militia were eager to turn out whenever their services were demanded. _THE SURPRISE AT TRENTON._ SCENE.—A Pennsylvania farm-house on the Delaware. TIME.—December 25, 1836. REUBEN COMFORT _loquitur_. Ruth, help Friend English to a chair. Thee’s welcome. Thee would know The ferry where they crossed the stream, now sixty years ago, To take the Hessians under Rahl? There’s nothing now to see. There had been that to stir thee much, had thee been there with me: For I, though but a stripling then, trained ever to abhor All force and strife, that raging flood crossed with the men of war. Thee stares! Thee doubtless wonders much a Friend should have to say That his communication had been more than yea or nay; That he had been in battle where his fellow-men were slain, And, favored to escape all harm, came back in peace again. ’Twas very wrong to violate peace principles of Friends. Well, well! The Meeting dealt with me, and there the matter ends.