Chapter Summary Of The Chapter 'The Darkest Hour'

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Chapter 7 begins shortly after the Patriots evacuated New York City with McCullough describing Washington and his troops completing one of the most dreadful, intolerable and draining retreats the Continental Army undergoed which ended up with Washington's troops crossing through New Jersey. Then, in complete despair Washington practically begged General Lee, by writing letters, to have him join Washington and his troops, but Lee declined his offer several times mostly due to Joseph Reed’s critical letters about Washington's ability to defeat the British. Washington then attempted to strengthen his military by asking the governors to send him militias but his offer was refused. Meanwhile, General Howe and General Clinton continuously debated …show more content…
Additionally, this chapter could have got its name from the most intense and darkest battles of the War, including Washington's retreat across the Delaware which in fact occurred at the Darkest hour of the night, midnight. McCollough states that during Washington's retreat through New Jersey, “ Washington's men had no tents, no baggage, no entrenching tools”(page 248), which describes only a miniscule of the struggle Washington's men went through. Additionally, Washington’s men described their experience during the events that occurred in this chapter by saying, “ The sufferings we endured are beyond description--no tent to cover us at night--exposed to the cold and rains day and night”(page 150). Mccollough proves the title of the chapter even further when he explains on page 277 that two men froze to death on the night of Christmas Eve during their journey across the Delaware. Lastly, McCollough wraps up the chapter by saying, “The war was a longer, fare more arduous, and more painful struggle then later generation would understand or sufficiently appreciate”(page 294). Overall, I believe McCullough gave this chapter the title, ‘The Darkest Hour’ due to it being the most dark, horrifying and atrocious conditions, events and circumstances of the

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