古德明《征服英语》之英语军事故事，古德明，香港英语教育作家，他开了一个《征服英语专栏》，在专栏中专门用英语写了世界近代史上的军事小故事，用英语讲述历史中那些惊心动魄的战争。
悔 之 晚 矣
soon after the outbreak of the american revolution, the british took new york city, forcing general george washington to retreat into new jersey. on the cold christmas night of 1776, washington led his troops across the delaware on a surprise attack on the british occupying trenton. the american advance was spotted by a tory, who delivered a written message to the british commander, colonel johann rall.
but rall was busy playing cards at a christmas party that night, and he placed the note in his pocket without bothering to read it. when the americans attacked, the british were completely overwhelmed, and rall was mortally wounded. as a doctor cut away his clothes to treat his wounds, the note fell from his pocket. he looked at the message and sighed, "if i had read this, i would not be here." he died after securing washington's promise that his captured men would be treated humanely.
