Washington had a job to do. He knew he didn’t have the manpower, resources, etc. to engage them through any other means, so a surprise assault was the best way to go about it. And even still, it was kind of in the Christmas spirit; not a shot was fired, so it’s about the most peaceful surprise assault that could’ve been managed.
This made me think of 3 parts of Hamilton the musical:
.
From the song Right Hand Man:
"We are outgunned (what?)
Outmanned (what?)
Outnumbered
Outplanned"
.
From the song Stay Alive:
"Congress writes, George, attack the British forces
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses
...
Alex, listen, there's only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage
Outright
That's right
Don't engage, strike by night
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
Outrun
Outrun
Outlast
Outlast
Hit 'em quick, get out fast"
.
From the song Yorktown (the world turned upside down):
"Take the bullets out your gun! (What?)
The bullets out your gun! (What?)
We move undercover and we move as one
Through the night, we have one shot to live
Another day
We cannot let a stray gunshot give us away"
British: "Rebels they may be, they are not savages. Even their leader was trained as a proper gentleman."
Washington: *Sharpens knife, stares at river with intent* "Get fucked, Santa."
.
From the song Right Hand Man:
"We are outgunned (what?)
Outmanned (what?)
Outnumbered
Outplanned"
.
From the song Stay Alive:
"Congress writes, George, attack the British forces
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses
...
Alex, listen, there's only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage
Outright
That's right
Don't engage, strike by night
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
Outrun
Outrun
Outlast
Outlast
Hit 'em quick, get out fast"
.
From the song Yorktown (the world turned upside down):
"Take the bullets out your gun! (What?)
The bullets out your gun! (What?)
We move undercover and we move as one
Through the night, we have one shot to live
Another day
We cannot let a stray gunshot give us away"
Washington: *Sharpens knife, stares at river with intent* "Get fucked, Santa."