Question

what do you think would make a patriou soldier keep even under terrible conditions like the ones they faced crossing the delaware

Answer 1

It was their loyalty to General George Washington.  Though many deserted after several defeats, there were those who still believed that they can win and more importantly they believed that Washington will be able to do it.  Even though it was cold and there was ice in the river the men still obeyed Washington where they successfully crossed the Delaware and took Trenton from the Hessians.