The eastern sky grew bright and the snow stopped falling. Ahead, the road forked. An officer wearing a cloak, sat on a horse here, and greeted our colonel.

“Col. Huntington, I’m Captain Webb, Gen. Washington’s aide de camp. The general gives his compliments and requires that you take this turn, the Pennington Rd, to join Gen. Greens’ column. General Sullivan will be taking the straight road, the River Road, to approach Trenton from the west. Gen. Washington is with Gen. Green near the head of this column.”

“My orders were to attack before first light.” He glanced east. “As that isn’t likely now, what are my orders?”

“You will advance and take a position on the north side of town on the line of battle.”

“My men’s powder is wet from the rain and sleet.”

“Sir, no other powder is available. Gen. Sullivan sent a similar inquiry a short time ago. I will tell you what Gen Washington told him. He said, ‘tell Gen. Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton.”

We turned left and marched on.