The soldier's time of service would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading, and everyone was ready to lay down their weapons and surrender to the Great Grand Brittany. However, George Washington was not content to do his best. It kept alive the little glimmer of hope that still remained. The Continental Congress also did not see much hope in the war and gave responsibility for the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress that read: “Full power to direct all things relating… to war operations.” (Dupuy 63-64). Although Washington did not consider it a great honor, he did what he could with his newfound power. Within ten days his army would no longer have to serve and could return home to their families, the war would be over. Despite constant reminders that the Patriots would lose, Washington refused to believe it and took the lead in formulating a plan. Washington decided to make the courageous decision to attack the British at least one last time (Dupuy 63-64). Washington immediately began raising an army. He ordered Major General Charles Lee to bring his troops from New York to help, and General James Ewing also brought his troops. On December 11, Washington crossed the Delaware River to gather his army and prepare for the upcoming fight. On December 13, General Lee was captured by the British, but fortunately General Sullivan successfully crossed the river with his troops. By December 20, Washington had enlisted approximately six thousand men (Murphy). Washington received reports that General Howe had sent most of his forces back to New York and left the Hessians in several areas of New Jersey…half of the paper…the Americans won this war. Without his leadership, courage and great instincts the Patriots could not have won. He's the reason a new spark of hope was born when no one else believed we could win, he's the reason we attacked Hesse at Christmas, he's the reason we attacked and won at Princeton, he's the reason what his army did during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, he is the reason men reenlisted, and he is the reason America is a free country today. There are not enough words to describe how much George Washington contributed to the world. Works Cited Dupuy, Trevor Nevitt. New York: Franklin Watts, 1969. PrintMurphy, Justin D. "Battle of Trenton." Facts on File: American History Online. Encyclopedia of American Military History, n.d. Web. 9 January 2014. "WASHINGTON, George." (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Network. January 6. 2014.