On Jan. 3 at 10 a.m., dedicated historians will reenact the revolutionary march that changed the course of history forever.
This Lawrence Township tradition was established 53 years ago by former township historian Robert Immordino, and focuses on the delaying tactics employed by Colonel Edward Hand and his Pennsylvania riflemen on Jan. 2, 1777.
Lawrence resident Bill Agress has been leading the revolutionary march as Col. Hand for the past 30 years, beginning with musket firing in front of the municipal building, and traveling as far as Shabakunk Creek nearby Notre Dame High School. There, the group will fire a replica of the cannon that was fired by the Coryell’s Ferry militia, led by Captain Robert Gerenser. Depending upon weather conditions, the reenactment either continue on to Trenton or return to the municipal building for Revolutionary War era refreshments, including fresh apple cider, donated by Terhune Orchards, cherry tricorns, and pumpkin cookies.
The reenactment will begin with a welcome from Mayor Cathleen Lewis, and there will be a program on flags of the American Revolution, put together by Roger Williams.
Agress said that the reenactment celebrates the latter part of the 10 crucial days that changed the history of the world forever. On the evening of Dec. 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the Delaware River with 2,400 men. On the 26th, the First Battle of Trenton took place, and Washington’s troops defeated the Hessians in a surprise victory. Anticipating a strong retaliation by the British forces, which greatly outnumbered Washington’s own, Washington dispatched Col. Hand to delay British troops. Hand and his men were successful, and the British did not reach Trenton until twilight on Jan. 2, 1777. After initiating three attacks on American soldiers and being driven back each time, British troops decided to wait until the next day to continue the battle, giving American troops enough time to circumvent them. Washington’s army attacked the British at Princeton the next day, prompting their retreat.
“In the course of 10 days, following many defeats, the U.S. was suddenly winning the war. These events changed everything,” Agress said. “Living in Lawrence Township is very important in these portrayals because it all happened right here, on today’s Route 206, which was then called the King’s Highway.”
In addition to Agress’s reenactment of the delaying tactics employed by Col. Hand, Agress will also portray Washington during the reenactment of the crossing this year on the 25th, and in various other historical commemorations. He first got involved at the suggestion of Immordino, who recognized that Agress’s interests in theater and history made him well suited to the role. For more information, visit his website at patriotgenius.com.
“The joke is that I have been Colonel Hand longer than Colonel Hand has,” said Agress, whose son will also be involved in the reenactment.
Andrew Agress is a Sophomore at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, majoring in History and Theater. He will cross the Delaware this year as a Pennsylvania rifleman.
–Jessica Oates
