 By 2 : 00 AM the entire army was in motion roughly along Quaker Bridge Road through what is now Hamilton Township . The men were ordered to march with absolute silence . Along the way , a rumor was spread that they were surrounded and some frightened militiamen fled for Philadelphia . The march was difficult , as some of the route ran through thick woods and it was icy , causing horses to slip , and men to break through ice on ponds . 
