two in the morning
General Washington on his approach retired from the town and , crossing a rivulet at the back of it , took post on some high ground there , with the apparent intention of defending himself against an attack . It was late in the afternoon , and a heavy cannonade was kept up till night-time . Lord Cornwallis determined to attack next morning . At two in the morning Washington retired suddenly , leaving his fires burning . Quitting the main road he made a long circuit through Allentown and marched with all speed toward Princeton , which place he intended to surprise . When Lord Cornwallis advanced he had left the Seventeenth , Fortieth , and Fifty-fifth regiments there . On arriving at Trenton he had sent word back for the Seventeenth and Fifty-fifth to advance to Maidenhead , a village halfway between Princeton and Trenton .