“Cannot I do you more service by attacking their rear?” he had asked Washington on December 8. But the commanding general would have none of it. Over the past three weeks, Washington had sent eight increasingly frantic pleas, first suggesting, then entreating, and finally ordering Lee to put on speed. Not only was the army along the Delaware badly outnumbered, but militia regiments simply would not fight without being stiffened by ample Continental troops. Plea number seven, sent on Tuesday, December 10, directed, “March and join me with all your force.… Do come on.” A day later, plea number
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