With a volley salute at the State Street landing on Friday night, Dec. 30, Glover’s Marblehead Regiment commemorated a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. Gen. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River allowed the Continental Army to launch a sneak attack against Hessian soldiers and secure its first major victory in 1776. Marblehead’s Gen. John Glover and his men, many also from town, were instrumental in carrying out the mission.
COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE
The National Park Service writes of Glover’s leadership and the historic moment: “Following the American retreat across New Jersey, Glover rejoined Washington’s forces on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River in early December. There, 10 miles below Trenton, on the night of Dec. 25, Glover and his “Marbleheaders” ferried 2,400 troops—again with horses, artillery and wagons—across the Delaware River under extreme weather conditions. After marching several miles, they fought in the Battle of Trenton, and then transported the army and about 1,000 Hessian prisoners back across the river, all on the same day.”
Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist who has written hundreds of stories for local newspapers, including the Marblehead Reporter. She also works as a PR specialist.