Enrich your seasonal holidays with three gifts from General George Washington.
They can be found in one movie, A&E’s The Crossing.
The film portrays Washington’s daring risk on Christmas night, 1776.
Why not use his wisdom for overcoming adversity?
Gift #1: Conquer vulnerability with creativity
Seasonal holidays arrive with their own set of crises.
That was the case with the Continental army in the six months prior to Christmas 1776.
Washington’s militia-trained merchants, mechanics and farmers . . .
- lost New York
- lost ground in New Jersey
- lost 90% of their numbers through casualties, capture and desertion
- lost momentum as all enlistments were expiring after Christmas 1776
Washington knew the Revolution was iced if he didn’t get supplies.
And those supplies were plentiful in Trenton across a frozen Delaware River.
“March swiftly to places where you are not expected.” Sun Tzu
The high-risk crossing began at 11:00 Christmas night in blizzard-like conditions.
One soldier wrote later that snow and sleet “blew like a perfect hurricane.”
Once across, Washington mulled retreat due to a three hour delay.
But, the risk could be a massacre in day-lit water.
Later in his diary, he penned his thoughts about the moment.
“As I was certain there was no making a retreat without being discovered and harassed recrossing the River, I determined to push on at all events.” George Washington
GW advice #1: Go with a strong idea whether or not a protocol exists.
Gift#2: Succeed by taking an early stand
It’s no secret that George Washington lived a life of self-discipline.
Mediocre leaders make compromises on their way.
Not George. He planned to attack on Christmas night long before the nor’easter.
There was no plan B for Washington’s goals.
GW advice #2: Never let short-term circumstances interfere with the main goal.
Gift #3: Exercise self-control all the time
Elisha Bostwick made the Christmas crossing with Washington along with other campaigns in and around New York and Boston.
This description in his published memoirs is telling of the general’s self control.
“[O]ur whole army was then set on motion and toward evening began to cross the Delaware but by obstructions of ice in the river did not all get across till quite late in the evening, and all the time a constant fall of snow with some rain, and finally our march began with the torches of our field pieces stuck in the, exhalters. [They] sparkled and blazed in the storm all night and about day light a halt was made at which time his Excellency and aids came near to the front on the side of the path where soldiers stood. I heard his Excellency as he was coming on speaking to and encouraging the soldiers. The words he spoke as he passed by where I stood and in my hearing were these: ‘Soldiers, keep by your officers. For God’s sake, keep by your officers!’, spoken in a deep and solemn voice. While passing a slanting, slippery bank his Excellency’s horse’s hind feet both slipped from under him, and he seized his horse’s mane and the horse recovered.” Elisha Bostwick, Connecticut soldier
The highlighted sentences speak volumes of the general’s self-control.
Adversity is the crucible for testing . . .
- self-control
- confidence
- stability
GW advice #3: Don’t wait for perfection to make progress.
May God bless you and your family this holiday season with the creativity, commitment and tenacity of General Washington.
What are your favorite movies in the holidays?
Another great message Steve – Thanks
Merry Christmas to you and your family Jeff.
I had forgotten the timing of Washington’s crossing! Thanks, Steve.
It was a long time before I learned or remembered it was Christmas night. Good to hear from you Wayne!