Battle of Trenton

The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War after Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. General George Washington led the main Continental Army across the Delaware to surprise and virtually eliminate the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. This overwhelming victory helped to preserve the Continental Army and set the stage for the Battle of Princeton the following week.

Related Topics:
December 26 - 1776 - American Revolutionary War - Washington's crossing - Delaware River - George Washington - Continental Army - Across the Delaware - Trenton, New Jersey - Battle of Princeton

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Trenton was garrisoned by three regiments of the Hessian mercenaries, commanded by Colonel Johann Rall for a total of about 1,200 men. Washington's force of about 2,400 attacked in two columns: Major General Nathanael Greene's division from the north, and Major General John Sullivan's division from the west. A third division never made it across the river due to the weather, but was supposed to attack from the south.

Related Topics:
Colonel Johann Rall - Nathanael Greene - John Sullivan

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Before the patriots had arrived, Colonel Rall was playing cards with other officers. His men were celebrating Christmas, drinking whiskey and getting drunk, which was a reason the Americans won. While Rall was playing, a messenger came and handed him a letter. Rall casually put the letter in his pocket. Little did he know that that letter said that the patriots were coming down the Delaware River.

Related Topics:
Christmas - Whiskey - Pocket - Delaware River

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The troops left camp at 2:00 PM on Christmas Day. The river crossing was to be completed by midnight, but the storm which broke at 11:00 PM delayed this completion until 3:00 AM. The predawn attack was therefore delayed due to the weather and the fighting began around 8:00 AM. By 9:30 the Patriots had won.

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The American forces had only a handful of wounded (although two men froze to death on the march), while the Hessians lost 106 dead and wounded with at least 600 captured. Colonel Rall was mortally wounded and died the same day. Ironically, when Rall was warned that the patriots might attack, he replied, "Let them come. We need no trenches. We will go at them with the bayonet." The Rall and Lossburg regiments were effectively removed from the British forces. Parts of the von Knyphausen regiment escaped to the south, but Sullivan did capture some men, along with the regiments cannons and supplies.

Related Topics:
Trenches - Bayonet

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By noon, Washington's force had recrossed the Delaware back into Pennsylvania, taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them. This battle gave the Continental Congress a new confidence in that it proved American forces could defeat regulars. It also increased the re-enlistments in the Continental Army forces.

Related Topics:
Pennsylvania - Continental Congress

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An interesting note is that while only four Americans received light wounds, all of these came during the rush to capture the Hessian artillery park, preventing the guns from being used. Two of these were officers: William Washington (the General's cousin) and young Lieutenant James Monroe, the future President of the United States.

Related Topics:
William Washington - James Monroe - President of the United States

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The moments before the battle served as the inspiration for the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. The image in the painting, in which Washington stands majestic in his boat as it is crossing the river, is more symbollic than historically accurate, as the waters of the river were icy and treacherous and the flag Monroe holds was not created until six months after the battle. The crossing also occurred before dawn. Many have doubted that Washington stood, but many scholars believe they all stood, albeit in a different type of boat. Nonetheless, the image has become an icon of American history.

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