 Ben began enlisting in droves, swelling up the ranks of the army. And the world was watching what was happening in North America, and they were just as stunned. Frederick the Great, one of the most hardened and accomplished military figures of the day, declared, and I quote, the achievements of Washington and his little band of compatriots between the 25th of December and the 4th of January, a space of 10 days, were the most brilliant of any recorded in the annals of military achievements.