midnight
`` Washington selected Christmas night as the time for his contemplated attack upon the British at Trenton . It was , as he well knew , the habit of the Germans to celebrate that day with feasting and drinking , and such being the case , he felt that he might reasonably expect to find them under the influence of intoxicating drinks , therefore unfit for a successful resistance . `` The river had been free from ice , but in the last twenty-four hours before the time appointed for the expedition the weather changed , growing very much colder , so that the water was filled with floating ice , greatly increasing the difficulty and danger of crossing ; a storm of sleet and snow set in too , and the night was dark and gloomy . `` Still the little army was undaunted ; they paraded at M'Conkey 's Ferry at dusk , expecting to reach Trenton by midnight ; but so slow and perilous was the crossing that it was nearly four o'clock when at last they mustered on the Jersey shore . `` It was now too late to attack under cover of the darkness , as had been Washington 's plan . '' `` Excuse me , mamma , but surely it would be still dark at four o'clock in the morning ? '' Walter said half inquiringly .