19. George Washington crossed the Delaware while cracking jokes
Less known about Washington’s crossing the Delaware is that he did so while cracking jokes, as his cold, hungry, and demoralized men clambered into boats on a freezing night, made even more miserable by driving sleet. When it was Washington’s turn, he looked at Henry Knox, his overweight artillery chief, and said: “Shift your fat ass, Harry! But don’t swamp the damn boat!” Not comedy gold, but any levity from George Washington in public, especially on such a serious occasion, was highly unusual. At first, the men were stunned, and stood staring at each other in disbelief. Then somebody chuckled. Before long, contagious laughter rippled through the force, as Washington’s comment was spread and repeated. With their spirits lifted, the Revolutionaries crossed the river, and fell upon the enemy in Trenton, killing, wounding, and capturing about a thousand men, for the loss of only two dead and five wounded.
