Read Online The General's Christmas by C. Metzinger - Free Book Online

lifted her
shoulders gently and put another pillow behind her back. Anna sat
down on the bed and directed her gaze to her sister.
    "Elizabeth, I must ask you something."
    "Yes?"
    "The other day, when you were attacked, did
that soldier…. did he-?"
    Elizabeth took a deep breath before
answering, "He tried, but I fought him off so that he never got the
chance."
    Anna was relieved. "Thank God! I've been so
worried about you! The bruises will mend in a few days. Widow
Harris says that nothing is broken, but some of your toes have
frostbite."
    Elizabeth nodded in understanding and looked
hungrily at the toast and cheese.
    "Here, let me help you-"
    "Anna?" Elizabeth began, "I want to tell you
how grateful I am for your help. I couldn't have made it here on my
own. You saved my life."
    Anna smiled, "We're sisters. You would've
done the same for me. Now eat this before it gets cold."
    "The wind has not stopped howling all night,"
Elizabeth remarked as she ate.
    "Yes. I wonder how Corporal Baylor and the
others are managing in this storm. It's a pity that they had to
spend most of Christmas Day marching in bad weather."
    "I just hope they'll bring father back,"
Elizabeth said.
    "They will," Anna assured her, "I have a
strong feeling that they will."
     
    As dawn broke, General Greene's regiment was
turning onto Scotch Road, which would lead them to Pennington Road.
They were marching into the wind once again. Hunched over and
covered with snow, they continued to plod through the storm,
hopeful that the march would soon be over. Some were tempted to ask
an officer where they were or how much longer they would march in
this fierce storm, but none broke the code of silence, fearing the
consequences.
    The deepening snow was now
over their calves and nearly to their knees. It had been coming
down swiftly all night, drifting into deep mounds by the tree
lines. A small dim light began to define the shapes of trees
nearby. Visibility was still extremely poor, but they marched with
more heart now that they were seeing the hope of day.
    The ground here was
relatively flat. Each one marched with the hope that there would be
a warm fire and some food waiting for them after the battle, for no
one doubted there would be a battle.
    At Pennington Road, they turned south toward
Trenton. Once more the wind was at their backs and the marching
seemed easier, although the storm did not show any signs of
lessening. Washington rode back among the regiments, speaking to
the officers and the soldiers.
    "Press on, men! It won't be much longer. Stay
together and keep by your officers!"
    He drew up beside General Greene, who was
coughing deeply and spitting in the snow.
    "Are you all right, General?" asked
Washington.
    "Yes, sir. Just a bit of
asthma…all this cold, wet weather bothers it. But it's nothing to
worry about."
    "I'm glad to hear it. I
would hate to see you miss out on the action. Send some of your men
ahead to scout the area. Also set up road blocks here. Make sure no
one gets in or out of town along this road between here and
Princeton. Detain anyone who tries to pass until further notice. I
still have hopes of making a surprise attack."
    "Yes, sir!" Greene replied
and turned to the officers behind him, shouting,
    "Lieutenant Monroe! Captain William
Washington!"
    The lieutenant and the
general's nephew trotted to the front of the line. Parties of
scouts were sent ahead on horseback and would report back
immediately. Several officers ordered their men to set up the road
blocks.
    The rest of the company
continued along Pennington Road as the sky began to brighten. A
heavy cloud cover and thick snow maintained a gloomy daybreak, but
visibility was improving. Each time the wind decreased, it was
followed by a thrashing of stronger blows, hurling ice and
snow.
    Ten more minutes had passed
before General Washington spotted a group of men on horseback
riding towards them. Wondering if they were part of a Hessian
scouting party or his own, he waited