Providential Deliverance
Read: Isaiah 51:12-15
“We are expecting the final attack at any moment. Our men are surrounded and outnumbered almost four to one.” Just returning from headquarters to the trenches, Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge spoke softly to his fellow officers so as not to be overheard by the soldiers around him. “We are low on powder—as always—and the British fleet is even now preparing to sail up the East River to cut off any chance of retreat.”
It was August 27, 1776, only six weeks after the Continental Congress had voted to accept the Declaration of Independence, and things were not looking good for the Continental Army. To fight would mean defeat. And surrender was out of the question.
“What are we going to do, then?” a lieutenant asked.
“Firmly rely on the protection of divine Providence,” was Gen. George Washington’s reply. “God has not brought us this far to desert us.” Little did the officers know they were about to see the most amazing episode of divine intervention in the Revolutionary War.
[The statement of faith of General Washington brings to mind many stories of God’s deliverance in scripture: Gideon as he faced the Philistines in battle with three hundred men. (Judges 7:1-17); David, as he ran from Saul (1 Samuel 23:24-28) and Elisha as he faced the army of the Arameans (2 Kings 6:8-23)].
Washington and his army would soon experience God’s deliverance first hand.
The Americans waited all afternoon—and no attack came. The night passed quickly. They waited all the next day as well. Why had the British not attacked? They clearly outnumbered the Americans. Perhaps they were waiting for the winds to change so their warships could join in the battle.
While General Washington waited, he was inspired with a daring plan. By night, they would secretly evacuate the entire army—eight thousand men—across the East River. It was a desperate move. The East River was a mile wide. Wouldn’t the British see them in the moonlight or hear the splashing of the oars—not to mention the sounds that 8,000 men would make—no matter how quiet they tried to be?
Was it a coincidence that just the day before a regiment of Massachusetts fishermen had come over to reinforce Washington’s army? They were joined by equally skilled mariners from Salem. Together, they would gather the necessary rowboats. Then, all night long, they would make the dangerous two-mile roundtrip, rowing expertly and soundlessly back and forth, their boats loaded with men, supplies, cannons, carts, cattle, and horses.
But as the next day dawned, the retreat was far from complete. At least three more hours were needed. Maj. Tallmadge’s unit was among those who remained. They watched—silent but anxious—knowing that without the cover of night they would be exposed to certain discovery and fierce attack.
Maj. Tallmadge described the scene: “At this time, a very dense fog began to rise out of the ground and off the river, and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I recollect this providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very dense was the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at six-yards distance… We tarried until the sun had risen, but the fall remained as dense as ever.”
Against all odds, the fog remained until the last boat, with General Washington in it, had left the shore. As the fog lifted, the British were shocked to find the American trenches empty. They ran to the shore and started firing on the last four boats, which were now out of range of their guns. By the time the British were able to move their cannons into position, the Americans had completely escaped.
What deliverance do you seek from the hand of the Lord?
As you pray today, ask for the faith to trust in Him. He will not disappoint you.