Photos: Reliving Washington’s 1776 Christmas crossing the Delaware

John Godzieba, left, playing the role of Gen. George Washington, walks behind his troops onto a dock during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

A boat chugs along the Delaware River on its way from Pennsylvania to New Jersey during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J., on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

A boat containing George Washington, played by John Godzieba, approaches the riverbank on the New Jersey side after a crew of re-enactors crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

George Washington, played by John Godzieba, left, walks onto land on the New Jersey side after a crew of re-enactors crossed the Delaware River on a boat from Pennsylvania during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

A print of a painting depicting Gen. George Washington's troops crossing the Delaware River in 1776 is displayed in a boathouse as actors carry oars during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

A boat chugs along the Delaware River on its way from Pennsylvania to New Jersey during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J., on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

Spectators take photographs and video of John Godzieba, left, playing the role of Gen. George Washington, during Washington's Crossing re-enactment, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, in Washington Crossing, Pa. Actors were successful in crossing the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )

Gen. George Washington, played by John Godzieba, center, walks with his troops across a bridge after the group of re-enactors successfully crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J. During the crossing 237 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Washingtons Crossing )