Do you recognize the guy in this picture? You probably remember seeing one of these figurines sometime in your life. Possibly, you have one. Commonly known as a “lawn jockey”, there is a uniquely heartwarming but sad story behind the little statue that harkens back to the Revolutionary War and a young hero that we must never forget.
In the fall of 1776, things did not look good for General George Washington and his Continentals. The year started well with the British troops leaving Boston freeing that city, but the following actions in New York were a disaster for the Americans. The British numbers were too large forcing Washington to move his troops out of the city across the Hudson to New Jersey. Unfortunately, the British captured hundreds of American soldiers stranded on Manhattan before all of them made it out of New York. With volunteer enlistments coming to an end by December 31 and soldier desertions increasing, Washington’s army grew smaller day-by-day. Christmas would soon arrive and most of the soldiers were thinking about being home rather than being cold, unfed, and unsheltered. After all, 90% of Americans were home with their families and only 10% of the citizenry were actually fighting the war. Washington did have 4000 to 6000 soldiers with him, but 1700 of them were sick and unfit for service needing hospital care that was non-existent. In addition, during the crossing of the Hudson River, Washington lost contact with two full divisions of his army. The American situation was grim.
The British High Command placed a contingent of Hessian mercenaries to hold the Trenton, New Jersey area while they planned to winter in New York. This forced Washington to quarter his army north of the Hessians’ location rather than moving into Trenton themselves. The British were warm and snug in New York, the Hessians were warm and snug in Trenton, and the Continentals sheltered in the bitter cold wilderness having to build any lodgings they might have to stay warm. In fact, deplorable conditions forced Washington to place a standing order for his troops, with potential death penalty consequences, to stop cutting up the only tents they had to make overcoats. To make matters worse, British General Howe sent British soldiers into New Jersey only to force Washington further west increasing the American’s troubles. After retreating all the way to the Delaware River north of Trenton, Washington and his army finally crossed over the Delaware River into Pennsylvania before they could stop.
It seemed that things could not get worse, but they did. Because of the British advance across New Jersey forcing Washington’s retreat, Philadelphia was in a panic and the Continental Congress packed up and left town expecting a British invasion. Some doubted Washington’s ability to lead a successful campaign against the much more powerful British force and some of his own generals were speaking aloud about replacing Washington. Gratefully, the Congress did not heed the attempts to replace Washington and in fact told him, as they left town, he had full power to do whatever was necessary and was to direct all actions himself.
On December 19, 1776, during the darkest time for the American cause to that point, something miraculous happened. A publication titled The American Crisis appeared that boosted morale among the Patriot forces. Written by Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, the pamphlet read:
“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
These words seemed sent by God Himself just at the right time. Within a day of its publication in Philadelphia, General Washington ordered it read to all of his troops. It encouraged the soldiers and improved their tolerance of their difficult condition. The hand of God was at work.
The next day, December 20, General Lee and his troops, one of the divisions lost during the crossing of the Hudson, showed up at Washington’s camp with 2000 troops. Later that same day, General Gates showed up with 600 more soldiers and within days, Colonel John Cadwalader joined Washington with another 1000 troops. With these additions, Washington now had over 6000 able-bodied soldiers fit for battle. Moreover, on December 24, Christmas Eve, morale reached a new height when an unanticipated shipment of food and blankets arrived in camp. God always provides.
For several days, General Washington contemplated some kind of action against the British and with the influx of additional troops; he decided that his best move was against the Hessian mercenary contingent settled in for Christmas at Trenton. Preparations for the attack began on December 23. On December 24, the boats used to bring the army across the Delaware from New Jersey arrived from their hidden location at Malta Island near New Hope. A final planning meeting took place that day, with all of the General’s officers present. Washington issued final orders for Christmas Day outlining the operational plan of attack.
On Christmas morning, Washington ordered his army to prepare three days’ food and issued orders that every soldier receive fresh flints for their muskets. Marching eight abreast in close formations and ordered to be as quiet as possible, the soldiers left the camp headed for McConkey’s Ferry, which was the established river crossing point. Washington’s plan required the crossing to begin as soon as it was dark enough on the 25th to conceal their movements on the river, but most of the troops did not reach the crossing point until about 6 PM, about ninety minutes after sunset. The weather got progressively worse, turning from drizzle to rain to sleet and snow. Some soldiers reported it was like marching in a hurricane.
It is at this point of the story that we meet a young man named Jocko Graves. Jocko’s father, Tom Graves, a black patriot, answered the call for local patriots to join the fight alongside General Washington. When Mr. Graves arrived at camp, he brought his 12-year-old son with him. Jocko was ready to fight the enemy and when Washington heard of his determination, he was astonished at Jocko’s bravery. The General, however, deemed Jocko too young to get involved in actual battle, but he did give Jocko an important job. He asked Jocko to tend the officers’ horses and to hold a lantern so that when they returned from battle they would know the way back to camp. We will revisit Jocko’s situation in a moment.
General Washington was among the first of the troops to cross the Delaware. The amount of ice on the river prevented the artillery from finishing the crossing until 3 AM on December 26. The troops were finally ready to start their march to Trenton around 4 AM. After successfully crossing and gathering, the Americans marched on to Trenton and caught the Hessians by complete surprise. The cold was so intense and the lack of proper clothing was so widespread among the American troops that two men actually froze to death during the march that morning. Tragically, we do not know the names of those two men, but every American truly owes a debt of gratitude to these two unknown soldiers. The fighting in the village would last no more than hour, but it still proved to be some tough, bitter, close quarters combat. Washington gambled everything in this move and made the password for this operation: “Victory or Death” because that was exactly their situation. The conduct of his troops fighting against the feared and well-equipped Hessian soldiers would determine if America was to remain under British rule or be free.
When the fighting ended on December 26, the outcome for America was total victory. The Hessians suffered 22 men killed, 84 wounded, and 868 captured as prisoners. The Continental Army lost the two men who froze to death on the march to Trenton plus four men wounded in the course of the battle. One of the wounded was a future President of the United States, James Monroe, who became America’s fifth President. In addition to the nearly nine hundred prisoners, the Continentals secured blankets, muskets, cannon, powder, food, and the musical instruments of the Hessian band. The victory at Trenton and the subsequent victory at Princeton the following day, which did require a second treacherous crossing of the frozen Delaware River, put American independence hopes back on track and restored the country’s confidence in George Washington.
However, we cannot forget Jocko, the 12-year-old boy assigned to watch over the officers’ horses. After the victory at Trenton and as the Continentals returned to their camp, Washington and his officers found Jocko on duty right where they left him. He did not waiver in his assigned duties. Unfortunately, though, Jocko did not survive the cold of the night. The officers found their horses exactly where they left them and there, beside them, stood Jocko on duty, still holding the lantern given to him by General Washington, frozen to death.
Throughout America’s rich history stand many heroes who gave their all in order for you and me to have liberty and freedom. Jocko, at 12 years old, was one of our finest. If you are an American, God gave you a great gift, but it was not free. First, comes duty and then comes freedom. Jocko shouldered his duty to the point of death and we enjoy freedom because of warriors like him. He is much more than a lawn ornament. He is a true American who pledged his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor. As we remember America’s birth and celebrate our independence on July 4th, we must ask ourselves if there is any reason why we should do less.
Ketchum, Richard (1999). The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton. Owl Books. ISBN 0-8050-6098-7.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs155/1108762609255/archive/1116081305884.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_crossing_of_the_Delaware_River
What a story, I had no idea. What a precious & ultimately committed young patriot for the cause of liberty. Everyone should know the significance of that statue. Just wow. I’m deeply touched & inspired by this young soul.
This was a fascinating story and a part of history that I had never heard of before. Thank you for your insight!!