...brilliant victory at Trenton on the morning of the previous day. Washington's lifeguard was organized in 1776, soon after the siege of Boston, while the American army was encamped in New York, on Manhattan Island . It consisted of a major's command—180 men. Caleb Gibbs, of Rhode Island, was its first chief officer, and bore the title of captain commandant. He held that office until the close of 1779,...