There were to be three crossings.

One was to be against Von Donop at Bordentown below Trenton, the second at Trenton itself.

These two attacks were designed to prevent aid to Trenton.

The third force with which Washington himself went was to cross the river some nine miles above the town.
Christmas Day, 1776, was dismally cold.

There was a driving storm of sleet and the broad swollen stream of the Delaware, dotted with dark masses of floating ice, offered a chill prospect.