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Battle of Trenton

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For the battle that took place in Trenton, New Jersey on January 2, 1777, see Battle of the Assunpink Creek.
Battle of Trenton
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Battle of Trenton by Charles McBarron.jpg
Battle of Trenton, by H. Charles McBarron, Jr., 1975
Date Morning of December 26, 1776 (1776-12-26)
Location Trenton, New Jersey
Result Decisive American victory[1]
 United States Hesse-Kassel
Commanders and leaders
George Washington
Nathanael Greene
Johann Rall 
18 guns[2]
6 guns[2]
Casualties and losses
2 dead (of exposure during march)
5 wounded[3]
Additional non-combat casualties likely
22 killed
83 wounded
900 - 1000 captured[4]



Because the river was icy and the weather severe, the crossing proved dangerous. Two detachments were unable to cross the river, leaving Washington with only 2,400 men under his command in the assault. The army marched 9 miles (14 km) south to Trenton. The Hessians had lowered their guard, thinking they were safe from the American army, and had no long-distance outposts or patrols. Washington's forces caught them off guard and, after a short but fierce resistance, most of the Hessians surrendered. Almost two thirds of the 1,500-man garrison was captured, and only a few troops escaped across Assunpink Creek.



In early December 1776, American morale was very low. The Americans had been ousted from New York by the British and their Hessian auxiliaries, and the Continental Army was forced to retreat across New Jersey. Ninety percent of the Continental Army soldiers who had served at Long Island were gone. Men had deserted, feeling that the cause for independence was lost. Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, expressed some doubts, writing to his cousin in Virginia, "I think the game is pretty near up."[5]

At the time a small town in New Jersey, Trenton was occupied by three regiments of Hessian soldiers commanded by Colonel Johann Rall, numbering about 1,400 men. Washington's force comprised 2,400 men, with infantry divisions commanded by Major Generals Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan, and artillery under the direction of Brigadier General Henry Knox.[6]



Washington had stationed a spy named John Honeyman, posing as a Tory, in Trenton. Honeyman had served with Major General James Wolfe in Quebec at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham on September 13, 1759, and had no trouble establishing his credentials as a Tory. Honeyman was a butcher and weaver, who traded with the British and Hessians. This enabled him to gather intelligence, and also to convince the Hessians that the Continental Army was in such a low state of morale that they would not attack Trenton. Shortly before Christmas, he arranged to be captured by the Continental Army, who had orders to bring him to Washington unharmed. After being questioned by Washington, he was imprisoned in a small hut, to be tried as a Tory in the morning, but a small fire broke out nearby, enabling him to "escape."[7]

American plan[edit]

The American plan of attack under Washington

The American plan relied on launching coordinated attacks from three directions. General John Cadwalader would launch a diversionary attack against the British garrison at Bordentown, New Jersey, to block off reinforcements from the south. General James Ewing would take 700 militia across the river at Trenton Ferry, seize the bridge over the Assunpink Creek and prevent enemy troops from escaping. The main assault force of 2,400 men would cross the river 9 mi (14 km) north of Trenton and split into two groups, one under Greene and one under Sullivan, to launch a pre-dawn attack.[8] Sullivan would attack the town from the south, and Greene from the north.[9] Depending on the success of the operation, the Americans would possibly follow up with separate attacks on Princeton and New Brunswick.[10]

During the week before the battle, American advance parties began to ambush enemy cavalry patrols, capturing dispatch riders and attacking Hessian pickets. The Hessian commander, to emphasize the danger to his men, sent 100 infantry and an artillery detachment to deliver a letter to the British commander at Princeton.[10] Washington ordered Ewing and his Pennsylvania militia to try to gain information on Hessian movements and technology.[11] Ewing instead made three successful raids across the river. On December 17 and 18, 1776, they attacked an outpost of jägers and on the 21st, they set fire to several houses.[11] Washington put constant watches on all possible crossings near the Continental Army encampment on the Delaware, as he believed William Howe would launch an attack from the north on Philadelphia if the river froze over.[12]

On December 20, 1776, some 2,000 troops led by General Sullivan arrived in Washington's camp.[13] They had been under the command of Charles Lee, and had been moving slowly through northern New Jersey when Lee was captured. That same day, an additional 800 troops arrived from Fort Ticonderoga under the command of Horatio Gates.[13]

Hessian moves[edit]

The Hessian Sketch of the Battle of Trenton

On December 14, 1776, the Hessians arrived in Trenton to establish their winter quarters.[14] At the time, Trenton was a small town with about 100 houses and two main streets, King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street.[15] Carl von Donop, Rall's superior, had marched south to Mount Holly on December 22 to deal with the resistance in New Jersey, and had clashed with some New Jersey militia there on December 23.[16]

Donop, who despised Rall, was reluctant to give command of Trenton to him.[17] Rall was known to be loud and unacquainted with the English language,[17] but he was also a 36-year soldier with a great deal of battle experience. His request for reinforcements had been turned down by British commander General James Grant, who disdained the American rebels and thought them poor soldiers. Despite Rall's experience, the Hessians at Trenton did not admire their commander.[18] They believed that he was too nice, and not ruthless enough to be successful.[18] His officers complained, "His love of life was too great, a thought came to him, then another, so he could not settle on a firm decision ..."[19] Rall avoided hard work and had little concern for his troops' comfort.[19]

Trenton lacked city walls or fortifications, which was typical of American settlements.[20] Some Hessian officers advised Rall to fortify the town, and two of his engineers advised that a redoubt be constructed at the upper end of town, and fortifications be built along the river.[20] The engineers went so far as to draw up plans, but Rall disagreed with them.[20] When Rall was again urged to fortify the town, he replied, "Let them come ... We will go at them with the bayonet."[20]

As Christmas approached, Loyalists came to Trenton to report the Americans were planning action.[5] American deserters told the Hessians that rations were being prepared for an advance across the river. Rall publicly dismissed such talk as nonsense, but privately in letters to his superiors, he said he was worried about an imminent attack.[5] He wrote to Donop that he was "liable to be attacked at any moment". Rall said that Trenton was "indefensible" and asked that British troops establish a garrison in Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville). Close to Trenton, this would help defend the roads from Americans. His request was denied.[21] As the Americans disrupted Hessian supply lines, the officers started to share Rall's fears. One wrote, "We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place."[22] On December 22, 1776, a spy reported to Grant that Washington had called a council of war; Grant told Rall to "be on your guard".[23]

The main Hessian force of 1,500 men was divided into three regiments: Knyphausen, Lossberg and Rall. That night, they did not send out any patrols because of the severe weather.[24]

Crossing and march[edit]

Passage of the Delaware, painting by American Thomas Sully, 1819

Before Washington and his troops left, Benjamin Rush came to cheer up the General. While he was there, he saw a note Washington had written, saying, "Victory or Death".[22] Those words would be the password for the surprise attack.[25] Each soldier carried 60 rounds of ammunition, and three days of rations.[26] When the army arrived at the shores of the Delaware, they were already behind schedule, and clouds began to form above them.[27] It began to rain. As the air's temperature dropped, the rain changed to sleet, and then to snow.[27] The Americans began to cross the river, with John Glover in command. The men went across in Durham boats, while the horses and artillery went across on large ferries.[28] The 14th Continental Regiment of Glover manned the boats. During the crossing, several men fell overboard, including Colonel John Haslet. Haslet was quickly pulled out of the water. No one died during the crossing, and all the artillery pieces made it over in good condition.[29]

Two small detachments of infantry of about 40 men each were ordered ahead of main columns.[30] They set roadblocks ahead of the main army, and were to take prisoner whoever came into or left the town.[30] One of the groups was sent north of Trenton, and the other was sent to block River Road, which ran along the Delaware River to Trenton.[31]

Photo shows an 18th-century cannon, probably a 3-pounder, with an old stone building and the Delaware River in the background.
Cannon at Washington's Crossing Historic Park

The terrible weather conditions delayed the landings in New Jersey until 3:00 am; the plan was that they were supposed to be completed by 12:00 am. Washington realized it would be impossible to launch a pre-dawn attack. Another setback occurred for the Americans, as generals Cadwalader and Ewing were unable to join the attack due to the weather conditions.[8]

At 4:00 am, the soldiers began to march towards Trenton.[32] Along the way, several civilians joined as volunteers, and led as guides (see Captain John Mott) because of their knowledge of the terrain.[33] After marching 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through winding roads into the wind, they reached Bear Tavern, where they turned right.[34] The ground was slippery, but it was level, making it easier for the horses and artillery. They began to make better time.[34] They soon reached Jacobs Creek, where, with difficulty, the Americans made it across.[35] The two groups stayed together until they reached Birmingham, where they split apart.[9] Soon after, they reached the house of Benjamin Moore, where the family offered food and drink to Washington.[36] At this point, the first signs of daylight began to appear.[36] Many of the troops did not have boots, so they were forced to wear rags around their feet. Some of the men's feet bled, turning the snow to a dark red. Two men died on the trip.[37]

As they marched, Washington rode up and down the line, encouraging the men to continue.[28] General Sullivan sent a courier to tell Washington that the weather was wetting his men's gunpowder. Washington responded, "Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."[38]

About 2 miles (3 km) outside the town, the main columns reunited with the advance parties.[39] They were startled by the sudden appearance of 50 armed men, but they were American. Led by Adam Stephen, they had not known about the plan to attack Trenton, and had attacked a Hessian outpost.[40] Washington feared the Hessians would have been put on guard, and shouted at Stephen, "You sir! You Sir, may have ruined all my plans by having them put on their guard."[40] Despite this, Washington ordered the advance continue to Trenton. In the event, Rall thought the first raid was the attack which Grant had warned him about, and that there would be no further action that day.[41]


American attack[edit]

The Battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776

At 8 am, the outpost was set up by the Hessians at a cooper shop on Pennington Road about one mile north-west of Trenton. Washington led the assault, riding in front of his soldiers.[42] As the Hessian commander of the outpost, Lieutenant Andreas Wiederholdt, left the shop, an American fired at him but missed.[42] Wiederholdt shouted, "Der Feind!" (The Enemy!) and other Hessians came out.[43] The Americans fired three volleys and the Hessians returned one of their own.[42] Washington ordered Edward Hand's Pennsylvania Riflemen and a battalion of German-speaking infantry to block the road that led to Princeton. They attacked the Hessian outpost there.[43] Wiederholdt soon realized that this was more than a raiding party; seeing other Hessians retreating from the outpost, he led his men to do the same.[44] Both Hessian detachments made organized retreats, firing as they fell back.[43] On the high ground at the north end of Trenton, they were joined by a duty company from the Lossberg Regiment.[43] They engaged the Americans, retreating slowly, keeping up continuous fire and using houses for cover.[45] Once in Trenton, they gained covering fire from other Hessian guard companies on the outskirts of the town. Another guard company nearer to the Delaware River rushed east to their aid, leaving open the River Road into Trenton. Washington ordered the escape route to Princeton be cut off, sending infantry in battle formation to block it, while artillery formed at the head of King and Queen streets.[46]

Leading the southern American column, General Sullivan entered Trenton by the abandoned river road and blocked the only crossing over the Assunpink Creek to cut off the Hessian escape.[47] Sullivan briefly held up his advance to make sure Greene's division had time to drive the Hessians from their outposts in the north.[47] Soon after, they continued their advance, attacking the Hermitage, home of Philemon Dickinson, where 50 Jägers under the command of Lieutenant von Grothausen were stationed.[47] Lieutenant von Grothausen brought 12 of his Jägers into action against the advanced guard, but had only advanced a few hundred yards when he saw a column of Americans advancing to the Hermitage.[47] Pulling back to the Hessian barracks, he was joined by the rest of the Jägers. After the exchange of one volley, they turned and ran, some trying to swim across the creek, while others escaped over the bridge, which had not yet been cut off. The 20 British Dragoons also fled.[47] As Greene and Sullivan's columns pushed into the town, Washington moved to high ground north of King and Queens streets to see the action and direct his troops.[48] By this time, American artillery from the other side of the Delaware River came into action, devastating the Hessian positions.[49]

With the sounding alarm, the three Hessian regiments began to prepare for battle.[50] The Rall regiment formed on lower King Street along with the Lossberg Regiment, while the Knyphausen Regiment formed at the lower end of Queen Street.[50] Lieutenant Piel, Rall's brigade adjutant, woke his commander, who found that the rebels had taken the "V" of the main streets of the town. This is where the engineers had recommended building a redoubt. Rall ordered his regiment to form up at the lower end of King Street, the Lossberg regiment to prepare for an advance up Queen Street, and the Knyphausen regiment to stand by as a reserve for Rall's advance up King Street.[47]

The American cannon stationed at the head of the two main streets soon came into action. In reply, Rall directed his regiment, supported by a few companies of the Lossberg regiment, to clear the guns.[51] The Hessians formed ranks and began to advance up the street, but their formations were quickly broken by the American guns and fire from Mercer's men who had taken houses on the left side of the street.[51] Breaking ranks, the Hessians fled. Rall ordered two three-pound cannon into action. After getting off six rounds each, within just a few minutes, half of the Hessians manning their guns were killed by the American cannon.[51] After the men fled to cover behind houses and fences, their cannon were taken by the Americans.[52] Following capture of the cannon, men under the command of George Weedon advanced down King Street.[47]

On Queen Street, all Hessian attempts to advance up the street were repulsed by guns under the command of Thomas Forrest. After firing four rounds each, two more Hessian guns were silenced. One of Forrest's Howitzers was put out of action with a broken axle.[47] The Knyphausen Regiment became separated from the Lossberg and the Rall regiments. The Lossberg and the Rall fell back to a field outside town, taking heavy losses from grapeshot and musket fire. In the southern part of the town, Americans under command of Sullivan began to overwhelm the Hessians. John Stark led a bayonet charge at the Knyphausen regiment, whose resistance broke because their weapons would not fire. Sullivan led a column of men to block off escape of troops across the creek.[52]

Hessian resistance collapses[edit]

The Hessians in the field attempted to reorganize, and make one last attempt to retake the town so they could make a breakout.[53] Rall decided to attack the American flank on the heights north of the town.[54] Rall yelled "Forward! Advance! Advance!", and the Hessians began to move, with the brigade's band playing fifes, bugles and drums to help the Hessians' spirit.[54][55]

Washington, still on high ground, saw the Hessians approaching the American flank. He moved his troops to assume battle formation against the enemy.[54] The two Hessian Regiments began marching toward King Street, but were caught in American fire that came at them from three directions.[54] Some Americans had taken up defensive positions inside houses, reducing their exposure. Some civilians joined the fight against the Hessians.[56] Despite this, they continued to push, recapturing their cannon. At the head of King Street, Knox saw the Hessians had retaken the cannon and ordered his troops to take them. Six men ran and, after a brief struggle, seized the cannon, turning them on the Hessians.[57] With most of the Hessians unable to fire their guns, the attack stalled. The Hessians' formations broke, and they began to scatter.[56] Rall was mortally wounded.[58] Washington led his troops down from high ground while yelling, "March on, my brave fellows, after me!"[56] Most of the Hessians retreated into an orchard, with the Americans in close pursuit. Quickly surrounded,[59] the Hessians were offered terms of surrender, to which they agreed.

Although ordered to join Rall, the remains of the Knyphausen Regiment mistakenly marched in the opposite direction.[59] They tried to escape across the bridge, but found it had been taken. The Americans quickly swept in, defeating a Hessian attempt to break through their lines. Surrounded by Sullivan's men, the regiment surrendered, just minutes after the rest of the brigade.[60]

Casualties and Capture[edit]

George Washington at the Battle of Trenton engraving by the Illman Brothers in 1870

The Hessian forces lost 22 killed in action, 83 wounded, and 896 captured. The Americans suffered only two deaths from bare feet causing frostbite and five wounded from battle, including a near-fatal wound to future president James Monroe. Other losses incurred by the Patriots due to exhaustion, exposure, and illness in the following days may have raised their losses above those of the Hessians.[61]

The captured Hessians were sent to Philadelphia and later Lancaster. In 1777 they were moved to Virginia.[62] Rall was mortally wounded and died later that day at his headquarters. All four Hessian colonels in Trenton were killed in the battle. The Lossberg regiment was effectively removed from the British forces. Parts of the Knyphausen regiment escaped to the south, but Sullivan captured some 200 additional men, along with the regiment's cannon and supplies. They also captured approximately 1,000 arms and much-needed ammunition.[63] Last, but not least, was the capture from the Hessians their entire store of provisions—tons of flour, dried and salted meats, ale and other liquors, but also shoes, boots, clothing and bedding—things that were as much needed by the ragtag Continental forces as weapons and horses.

Hessians drinking[edit]

An officer in Washington's staff wrote before the battle, "They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to-night. They will be sleepy to-morrow morning."[64] Popular history commonly portrays the Hessians as drunk from Christmas celebrations. However, historian David Hackett Fischer quotes Patriot John Greenwood, who fought in the battle and supervised Hessians afterward, who wrote, "I am certain not a drop of liquor was drunk during the whole night, nor, as I could see, even a piece of bread eaten."[65] Military historian Edward G. Lengel wrote, "The Germans were dazed and tired but there is no truth to the legend claiming that they were helplessly drunk."[66]

After effect[edit]

After the Hessians' surrender, Washington is reported to have shook the hand of a young officer and said, "This is a glorious day for our country."[67] On December 28. General Washington interviewed Lieutenant (later Colonel) Andreas Wiederhold, who detailed the failures of Ralle's preparation.[68] Washington soon learned however that Cadwalader and Ewing had been unable to complete their crossing, leaving his worn-out army of 2,400 men isolated.[69] Without their 2,600 men, Washington realized he did not have the forces to attack Princeton and New Brunswick.[69]

This small but decisive battle, as with the later Battle of Cowpens, had an effect disproportionate to its size. The colonial effort was galvanized, and the Americans overturned the psychological dominance achieved by the British Government troops in the previous months. Howe was stunned that the Patriots so easily surprised and overwhelmed the Hessian garrison.[60] On the contrary, Fischer argues that the changing attitudes were buoyed more by writings of Thomas Paine and additional successful actions by the New Jersey Militia than they were by the Battle of Trenton.[70]

Aftermath and legacy[edit]

Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, by John Trumbull

By noon, Washington's force had moved across the Delaware back into Pennsylvania, taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them.[69] This battle gave the Continental Congress a new confidence, as it proved colonial forces could defeat regulars. It also increased re-enlistments in the Continental Army forces. By defeating a European army, the colonials reduced the fear which the Hessians had caused earlier that year after the fighting in New York.[53]

Two notable American officers were wounded: William Washington, cousin of the General, and Lieutenant James Monroe, the future President of the United States. Monroe was carried from the field bleeding badly after he was struck in the left shoulder by a musket ball, which severed an artery. Doctor John Riker clamped the artery, preventing him from bleeding to death.[57]

The hours before the battle served as the inspiration for the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by German American artist Emanuel Leutze. The image in the painting, in which Washington stands majestic in his boat as it crosses the Delaware River, is generally believed to be more symbolic than historically accurate. The waters of the river were icy and treacherous, and the flag Monroe holds was not created until six months after the battle.[71] In addition, contrary to the painting, the crossing occurred before dawn.[71] On the other hand, Fischer argues that because the crossing took place in a storm, people may have stood to avoid sitting in icy water in the boats.[72] Because of its emotional content, the painting has become an icon of American history.[71]

The Trenton Battle Monument, erected at "Five Points" in Trenton, stands as a tribute to this American victory.[73] The crossing of the Delaware and battle are reenacted by local enthusiasts every year (unless the weather is too severe on the river).[71]

Eight current Army National Guard units (101st Eng Bn,[74] 103rd Eng Bn,[75] A/1-104th Cav,[76] 111th Inf,[77] 125th QM Co,[78] 175th Inf,[79] 181st Inf[80] and 198th Sig Bn[81]) and one currently-active Regular Army Artillery battalion (1–5th FA[82] ) are derived from American units that participated in the Battle of Trenton. There are only thirty current units of the U.S. Army with colonial roots.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Fischer p.254
  2. ^ a b Fischer p.404
  3. ^ Fischer p.406
  4. ^ Fischer p.254—Casualty numbers vary slightly with the Hessian forces, usually between 21–23 killed, 80–95 wounded and 890–920 captured, but it is generally agreed that the casualties were in this area.
  5. ^ a b c Ketchum p.235
  6. ^ Stanhope p.129
  8. ^ a b Brooks p.56
  9. ^ a b Savas p.84
  10. ^ a b Brooks p.55
  11. ^ a b Fischer p.195
  12. ^ Ketchum p.242
  13. ^ a b Savas p.83
  14. ^ Fischer p.188
  15. ^ Ketchum p.233
  16. ^ Rosenfeld p. 177
  17. ^ a b Ketchum p. 229
  18. ^ a b Lengel p.183
  19. ^ a b Lengel p.185
  20. ^ a b c d Fischer p.189
  21. ^ Fischer p.197
  22. ^ a b Ketchum p.236
  23. ^ Fischer p.203
  24. ^ Wood p.65
  25. ^ McCullough p.273
  26. ^ McCullough p.274
  27. ^ a b Fischer p.212
  28. ^ a b Ferling p.176
  29. ^ Fischer p.219
  30. ^ a b Fischer p.221
  31. ^ Fischer p.222
  32. ^ Fischer p.223
  33. ^ Fischer p.225
  34. ^ a b Fischer p.226
  35. ^ Fischer p. 227
  36. ^ a b Fischer p.228
  37. ^ Scheer p.215
  38. ^ Kevin Wright. "The Crossing And Battle At Trenton – 1776". Bergen County Historical Society. Retrieved August 14, 2008. 
  39. ^ Fischer p.231
  40. ^ a b Fischer p.232
  41. ^ McCullough p.279
  42. ^ a b c Fischer p.235
  43. ^ a b c d Fischer p.237
  44. ^ Andreas Wiederholdt (edited by M.D. Learned and C. Grosse): Tagebuch des Capt. Wiederholdt Vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780; The MacMillan Co, New York, ~1862; reprinted by the University of Michigan Library, 17 August 2015
  45. ^ Ketchum p.255
  46. ^ Ketchum p.256
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h Wood p.68
  48. ^ McCullough p.280
  49. ^ Fischer p.239
  50. ^ a b Fischer p.240
  51. ^ a b c Wood p.70
  52. ^ a b Wood p.71
  53. ^ a b Wood p.72
  54. ^ a b c d Fischer p.246
  55. ^ Ketchum p.262
  56. ^ a b c Fischer p.249
  57. ^ a b Fischer p.247
  58. ^ Fischer p.248
  59. ^ a b Fischer p.251
  60. ^ a b Wood p.74
  61. ^ Fischer p.255
  62. ^ Fischer p.379
  63. ^ Mitchell p.43
  64. ^ Stryker p.361
  65. ^ Fischer p.426
  66. ^ Lengel p.186
  67. ^ Ferling p.178
  68. ^ Andreas Wiederholdt (edited by M.D. Learned and C. Grosse: Tagebuch des Capt. Widerholdt Vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780; The MacMillan Co, New York, ~1862;reprinted by the University of Michigan Library, 17 August 2015
  69. ^ a b c Wood p.75
  70. ^ Fischer p.143
  71. ^ a b c d "What's wrong with this painting?". Washington Crossing Historic Park. Retrieved August 14, 2008. 
  72. ^ Fischer p.216
  73. ^ Burt p.439
  74. ^ Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 101st Engineer Battalion
  75. ^ Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 103rd Engineer Battalion.
  78. ^ Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 125th Quartermaster Company. [1]
  81. ^ Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 198th Signal Battalion.
  82. ^ Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. [2].


External links[edit]

Coordinates: 40°13′05″N 74°45′18″W﻿ / ﻿40.218°N 74.755°W﻿ / 40.218; -74.755