Simply traversing the Delaware from Pennsylvania a second time had proved brutal: several inches of snow had fallen, and the river ice was thick enough to impede boats but too weak to bear the weight of guns and horses. Rowers and ferrymen would struggle for two days to again shuttle brigades to the far shore. Heartened by his triumph on Christmas night, the commanding general had chosen to stay on the offensive. Several considerations led to his decision. Soon the Delaware would freeze solid, exposing Philadelphia to attack at a time and place of General Howe’s choosing.
