During the second half of 1776, the British had driven Washington's armies from their stro

ngholds in and near New York City. Washington retreated, moving southeast across New Jersey.

Before his army reached the shores of the Delaware, he sent soldiers ahead to bring together all the boats they could find. When the British arrived at the east bank early in December, the Colonials were safely across. And the British could find only two small boats on a pond.

For the time being, the British gave up the chase. They set up camp at Trenton and at other strongholds along the Delaware.

Washington had the boats on the Pennsylvania side, but that was about all he had. Food was short, and many soldiers were too iii to march. And any day now, the river might freeze, making it possible for the British force to cross into Pennsylvania.

If the struggle for freedom was to continue, Washington had to have a victory. Finally he decided to re-cross the Delaware at Mckonkey's Ferry. That was nine miles up river from Trenton. Washington's plan was to cross under cover of darkness on Christmas night and attack the 2,000 to 3,000 British soldiers in Trenton. The general expected that the enemy force would still be celebrating the holiday. On the evening of December 25, Washington gave the orders to cross. It was sleeting snowing, and the river was filled with floating ice. Finally, his force of more than 2,000 men was on the Jersey side. It was after 2 a.m.. In a battle that lasted less than two hours, they defeated the enemy force. Washington had the victory he needed.

This story is about______.

A．the battle for human rights and progress

B．the battle of Delaware River

C．the American Civil War

D．the American War of Independence