DURHAM
WASHINGTON CROSSING
The artist took a number of, shall we say, ‘creative liberties’ in his painting. For instance, the Stars and Stripes flag portrayed in the image didn’t actually exist at the time. [3] Up until 1777, the 13 colonies had adopted the Grand Union as their standard — 13 red and white stripes with a miniature Union Flag in the upper left. Also, the famous crossing took place in the dead of night and in foul weather — not at twilight under picturesque clearing skies. Some observers have also pointed out that a wooden boat of the size depicted in the painting would have probably sunk under the weight of so many passengers and that it’s unlikely anyone could have stood up in such a small craft without tipping it over. [4] In reality, Washington likely crossed the Delaware in a Durham boat, barge or bateau — not a small rowboat. Finally, the width of the Delaware at what is now known as Washington’s Crossing is much narrower than the picture illustrates. The artist based his painting on the Rhine, which is considerably wider.
https://durhamhistoricalsociety.org/durham-history/the-durham-boat/
40°17'39.27" N 74°52'09.92" W approximately
1/3 mile crossing
MOVED the army across the river in poor weather.
Underestimated by enemy.
Surprise attack.
Management of resources in bold gamble.
Vulnerable during movement.
Barges and Durham Boats, local residents.
What if the DURHAM, today, is just such a movement of resources, including persons as well as documents and the like?
How did GEN W know when and where to attack the enemy?
Blind luck? How did he figure the means to move the Army safely from start to finish? What posed the greatest risk during this movement? The battle or the stretching of resources on land and river? Expand your thinking.
What motivated the soldiers during the hardship of that transport? What really motivated them?
What holds everything together?