Battle of Trenton: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Battle of the American Revolutionary War (December 26, 1776)}}

{| style="float: right; clear: right; background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1.4em"

{{for|the battle that took place in Trenton, New Jersey, on January 2, 1777|Battle of the Assunpink Creek}}

|{{Infobox Military Conflict

{{good article}}

||conflict=Battle of Trenton

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}

||image=[[Image:Washington Crossing the Delaware.png|300px|]]

{{Infobox military conflict

||caption= ''Washington Crossing the Delaware''

| conflict = Battle of Trenton

||combatant1=[[Continental Army]]

| partof = the [[New York and New Jersey campaign]]

||combatant2=a [[Hessian|Hessian Brigade]]

| image = [[File:Battle of Trenton by Charles McBarron.jpg|border|300px]]

||place=[[Trenton]], [[New Jersey]]

| caption = ''Battle of Trenton'', a 1975 portrait of the battle by [[H. Charles McBarron Jr.]]

||result=American victory

| combatant1 = {{flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[United Colonies|United States]]

||commander1=[[George Washington]]

| combatant2 = {{flagdeco|Hesse}} [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Hesse-Kassel]]

||commander2=[[Johann Rall]]†

| date = {{Start date and age|1776|12|26}}

||strength1=2,400

| place = [[Trenton, New Jersey]]

||strength2=1,400

| coordinates = {{Coord|40|13|33|N|74|45|53|W|type:event_region:US-NJ|display=inline,title}}

||casualties1=2 dead,On the march <br> 4 wounded

| territorial changes = U.S. gains control of Trenton

||casualties2=23 dead,<br> 92 wounded,<br>913 captured

| result = American victory<ref name="Wood p.72"/>

|}}

| commander1 = {{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[George Washington]]<br />{{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[Nathanael Greene]]<br />{{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[John Sullivan (general)|John Sullivan]]

|-

| commander2 = {{Nowrap|{{Flagdeco|Hesse}} [[Johann Rall]]{{KIA}}}}

|{{campaignbox American Revolutionary War: Northern 1775}}

| strength1 = 2,400<ref name="fish391-393">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], pp. 391–393</ref>

|}

| strength2 = 1,500<ref name="fis396" >[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 396</ref>

''This article is about the Battle of Trenton which took place on [[December 26]], [[1776]]''

| casualties1 = 2 dead from exposure <br> 5 wounded<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 406</ref>

''For the Battle of Trenton which took place on [[January 2]], [[1777]], see [[Second Battle of Trenton]].''

| casualties2 = 22 killed <br> 83 wounded <br> 800–900 captured<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 254. Casualty numbers vary slightly with the Hessian forces, usually between 21–23 killed, 80–95 wounded and 890–920 captured (including the wounded), but it is generally agreed that the casualties were in this area.</ref>

| campaignbox = {{campaignbox American Revolutionary War: Northern 1775}}

|map_type=USA Midwest and Northeast#USA New Jersey

|map_relief=1

}}

The '''Battle of Trenton''' was a small but pivotal [[battleAmerican Revolutionary War]] whichbattle tookon placethe onmorning of [[December 26]], 1776, in [[1776Trenton, New Jersey]],. duringAfter theGeneral [[AmericanGeorge Revolutionary WarWashington]] after's [[George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River|Washington's crossing]] of the [[Delaware River]]. north Generalof [[GeorgeTrenton the previous night, Washington]] led the main body of the [[Continental Army]] across the river to surprise and virtually eliminate theagainst [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian]] garrisonauxiliaries garrisoned at [[Trenton, New Jersey]]. After Thisa overwhelmingbrief victorybattle, helpedalmost totwo-thirds preserveof the ContinentalHessian Armyforce andwere setcaptured, thewith stagenegligible forlosses to the [[BattleAmericans. ofThe Princeton]]battle significantly boosted the followingContinental week.Army's waning morale, and inspired re-enlistments.

The Continental Army had previously [[New York and New Jersey campaign|suffered several defeats]] in [[New York (state)|New York]] and had been forced to retreat through [[New Jersey]] to [[Pennsylvania]]. Morale in the army was low; to end the year on a positive note, George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, devised a plan to cross the [[Delaware River]] on the night of December&nbsp;25–26<ref name="birch">{{Cite book |last1=Blackbirch |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7uAwJt12r8C&q=battle+of+Trenton+%22Christmas%22 |title=The Battle of Trenton |last2=Parker |first2=Lewis K. |date=2002 |publisher=Cengage Gale |isbn=978-1-56711-620-5 |language=en}}</ref> and surround the Hessians' garrison.

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, 3,000 fewer than planned. The army marched {{cvt|9|mi|km|1}} south to Trenton. The Hessians had lowered their guard, thinking they were safe from the Americans' 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 and were captured, with just over a third escaping across [[Assunpink Creek]].

Despite the battle's small numbers, the victory inspired [[Patriot (American Revolution)|patriots]] and sympathizers of the newly formed [[United States]]. With the success of the ongoing revolution in doubt a week earlier, the army had seemed on the verge of collapse. The dramatic victory inspired soldiers to believe the war was not a lost cause and serve longer. It also attracted new recruits to the ranks.<ref name="birch"/>

==Background==

{{main|New York and New Jersey campaign}}

In early December 1776, American morale was very low.<ref name="bh55" /> The Americans had been [[Battle of Long Island|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.<ref name="Savas84" /> 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."<ref name="ketch235"/>

Trenton was occupied by three regiments of Hessian soldiers commanded by Colonel [[Johann Rall]] for a total of about 1,400 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 because of the weather but was supposed to attack from the south.

At the time a small town in New Jersey, Trenton was occupied by four regiments of Hessian soldiers (numbering about 1,400 men) commanded by Colonel [[Johann Rall]]. Washington's force comprised 2,400 men, with infantry divisions commanded by Major Generals [[Nathanael Greene]] and [[John Sullivan (general)|John Sullivan]], and artillery under the direction of Brigadier General [[Henry Knox]].<ref>[[#stanhope1854|Stanhope, 1854]] p. 129</ref>

It is said that the Hessians were drunk from celebrating Christmas a day early, so they were not prepared for battle, but this idea is most likely not true. The American victory was aided by [[John Honeyman]], a spy enlisted by Washington, who gathered intelligence in Trenton and misled the Hessian defenders. He was responsible for estimating the strength of the Hessian defenders and for convincing them that the Americans were confused and in no condition to attack. Also, the weather made crossing of the Delaware next to impossible, further enhancing the element of surprise. The Hessians sent out a patrol every night to check for nearby enemy forces, but they were not sent out that night because of the storm. <ref>pp. 234-262.</ref>

==Prelude==

===Intelligence===

George Washington had stationed a spy named [[John Honeyman]], posing as a [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|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 bartender, who traded with the British and Hessians. This enabled him to gather intelligence and 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 hut to be tried as a Tory in the morning, but a small fire broke out nearby, enabling him to "escape".<ref>{{Citation |last=Van Dyke |first=John |title=An Unwritten Account of a Spy of Washington |journal=Our Home |year=1873}}</ref> On the evening before the battle, Hessian commander Rall was celebrating Christmas with his troops at the farm of [[Abraham Hunt]], a wealthy merchant and farmer of Trenton. Hunt played the role of a friendly [[Loyalist]] host, giving Rall a false sense of serenity while Washington and his troops were preparing for a surprise attack.<ref>[[#schuyler1929|Schuyler, 1929]], p. 132</ref>

===U.S. plan===

[[File:Battle-of-Trenton.jpg|thumb|250px|The U.S. plan of attack under Washington]]

The U.S. plan relied on launching coordinated attacks from three directions. General [[John Cadwalader (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 (Pennsylvania politician)|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 {{cvt|9|mi}} north of Trenton and split into two groups, one under Greene and one under Sullivan, to launch a pre-dawn attack.<ref name="bh56">[[#brooks1999|Brooks, 1999]], p. 56</ref> Sullivan would attack the town from the south, and Greene from the north.<ref name="Savas84">Savas p. 84</ref> Depending on the success of the operation, the Americans would possibly follow up with separate attacks on [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]] and [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]].<ref name="bh55">[[#brooks1999|Brooks, 1999]], p. 55</ref>

During the week before the battle, U.S. advance parties began to ambush enemy cavalry patrols, capturing dispatch riders and attacking Hessian [[Picket (military)|pickets]]. The Hessian commander, to emphasize the danger his men were facing, sent 100 infantry and an artillery detachment to deliver a letter to the British commander at Princeton.<ref name="bh55"/> Washington ordered Ewing and his Pennsylvania militia to try to gain information on Hessian movements and technology.<ref name="Fischer195">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 195</ref> Ewing instead made three successful raids across the river. On December 17 and 18, 1776, they attacked an outpost of ''[[jäger (infantry)|jägers]]'' and on the 21st, they set fire to several houses.<ref name="Fischer195"/> Washington put constant watches on all possible crossings near the Continental Army encampment on the Delaware, as he believed [[William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe|William Howe]] would launch an attack from the north on Philadelphia if the river froze over.<ref>[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 242</ref>

On December 20, 1776, some 2,000 troops led by General Sullivan arrived in Washington's camp.<ref name="Savas83">[[#savas2006|Savas, 2006]], p. 83</ref> They had been under the command of [[Charles Lee (general)|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]].<ref name="Savas83"/>

===Hessian moves===

[[File:Battle-trenton-sketch-rochambeau.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Hessian Sketch of the Battle of Trenton]]

On December 14, 1776, the Hessians arrived in Trenton to establish their winter quarters.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 188</ref> 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.<ref>[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 233</ref> [[Carl von Donop]], Rall's superior, had marched south to [[Mount Holly, New Jersey|Mount Holly]] on December 22 to deal with the resistance in New Jersey, and had [[Battle of Iron Works Hill|clashed]] with some New Jersey militia there on December 23.<ref>[[#rosenfeld2007|Rosenfeld, 2007]] p. 177</ref>

Donop, who despised Rall, was reluctant to give command of Trenton to him.<ref name="Ketchum229">[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 229</ref> Rall was known to be loud and unacquainted with the English language,<ref name="Ketchum229" /> but he was also a 36-year veteran with a great deal of battle experience. His request for reinforcements had been turned down by British commander General [[James Grant (British Army officer)|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.<ref name="Lengel183">[[#lengel2005|Lengel, 2005]], p. 183</ref>

Trenton lacked city walls or fortifications, which was typical of U.S. settlements.<ref name="fish189">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 189</ref> 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.<ref name="fish189" /> The engineers went so far as to draw up plans, but Rall disagreed with them.<ref name="fish189" /> When Rall was again urged to fortify the town, he replied, "Let them come&nbsp;... We will go at them with the bayonet."<ref name="fish189" />

As Christmas approached, [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] came to Trenton to report the Americans were planning action.<ref name="ketch235">[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 235</ref> U.S. 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.<ref name="ketch235" /> 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, New Jersey|Lawrenceville]]). Close to Trenton, this would help defend the roads from Americans. His request was denied.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 197</ref> 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."<ref name="ketch236">[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 236</ref> 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".<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 203</ref>

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.<ref>Wood p. 65</ref>

===Crossing and march===

{{main|George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River}}

[[File:1819 Passage OfThe Delaware byThomasSully MFABoston.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|''[[The Passage of the Delaware]]'', by [[Thomas Sully]], 1819 ([[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]])]]

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".<ref name="ketch236" /> Those words would be the password for the surprise attack.<ref>[[#mcCullough2006|McCullough 2006]], p. 273</ref> Each soldier carried 60 rounds of ammunition, and three days of rations.<ref>[[#mcCullough2006|McCullough 2006]], p. 274</ref> When the army arrived at the shores of the Delaware, they were already behind schedule, and clouds began to form above them.<ref name="fish212">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 212</ref> It began to rain. As the air's temperature dropped, the rain changed to sleet, and then to snow.<ref name="fish212" /> The Americans began to cross the river, with John Glover in command. The men went across in [[Durham boat]]s, while the horses and artillery went across on large ferries.<ref name="Ferling p.176">[[#ferling2007|Ferling, 2007]], p. 176</ref> 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.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 219</ref>

Two small detachments of infantry of about 40 men each were ordered ahead of main columns.<ref name="fish221">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 221</ref> They set roadblocks ahead of the main army and were to take prisoner whoever came into or left the town.<ref name="fish221"/> 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.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 222</ref>

[[Image:Washingtons Crossing Park Cannon.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.2|alt=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&nbsp;am; the plan was that they were supposed to be completed by 12:00&nbsp;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 because of the weather conditions.<ref name="bh56" />

At 4:00&nbsp;am, the soldiers began to march towards Trenton.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 223</ref> Along the way, several civilians joined as volunteers and led as guides (such as [[John Mott (captain)|John Mott]]) because of their knowledge of the terrain.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 225</ref> After marching {{cvt|1.5|mi|km}} through winding roads into the wind, they reached Bear Tavern, where they turned south onto Bear Tavern Road .<ref name="fish26">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 226</ref> The ground was slippery, but it was level, making it easier for the horses and artillery. They began to make better time.<ref name="fish26" /> They soon reached [[Jacobs Creek (New Jersey)|Jacobs Creek]], where, with difficulty, the Americans made it across.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 227</ref> The two groups stayed together until they reached Birmingham (now West Trenton), where they split apart, with Greene's force heading east to approach Trenton by the Scotch and Pennington roads and Sullivan's heading southwest to approach via River Road.<ref name="Savas84"/> Soon after, they reached the house of Benjamin Moore, where the family offered food and drink to Washington. At this point, the first signs of daylight began to appear.<ref name="fish228">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 228</ref> 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 march.<ref>Scheer p. 215</ref>

As they marched, Washington rode up and down the line, encouraging the men to continue.<ref name="Ferling p.176" /> General Sullivan sent a courier to tell Washington that the weather was wetting his men's gunpowder. Washington replied, "Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/crossingatdtrenton.html |title=The Crossing And Battle At Trenton – 1776 |access-date=August 14, 2008 |publisher=Bergen County Historical Society |author=Kevin Wright |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517014120/http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/crossingatdtrenton.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

About {{cvt|2|mi|km|0}} outside the town, the main columns reunited with the advance parties.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p.231</ref> 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.<ref name="fish32">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 232</ref> 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."<ref name="fish32" /> 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.<ref>[[#mcCullough2006|McCullough 2006]], p. 279</ref>

==Battle==

{{see also|Order of battle of the Battle of Trenton}}

===U.S. attack===

[[File:Battle of Trenton.Dean.USMA.edu.history.gif|thumb|right|300px|The Battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776]]

[[File:Henry-revolutionary-war.jpg|thumb|The engraving ''George Washington at the Battle of Trenton'' by the Illman Brothers in 1870]]

At 8 am on the morning of December 26, the Hessians established an outpost at a [[Cooper (profession)|cooper]] shop on Pennington Road about one mile northwest of Trenton.<ref>[[#stryker1898|Stryker, 1898]], pp. 145–147</ref> Washington then led the assault on it, riding in front of his soldiers.<ref name="fish235">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 235</ref> As the Hessian commander of the outpost, Lieutenant Andreas Wiederholdt, left the shop, an American fired at him but missed.<ref name="fish235" /> Wiederholdt immediately shouted, ''"Der Feind!"'' (The Enemy!) and other Hessians came out.<ref name="fish237">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 237</ref> The Americans fired three volleys, and the Hessians returned one of their own.<ref name="fish235" /> 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.<ref name="fish237" /> 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.<ref>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</ref> Both Hessian detachments made organized retreats, firing as they fell back.<ref name="fish237" /> On the high ground at the north end of Trenton, they were joined by a duty company from the Lossberg Regiment.<ref name="fish237" /> They engaged the Americans, retreating slowly, keeping up continuous fire and using houses for cover.<ref>[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 255</ref> 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.<ref>[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 256</ref>

Delayed by a snowstorm which began at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Day, the American troops were unable to reach the east bank of the Delaware until 3:00 a.m. on [[December 26]]. With the storm still raging, fighting began around 8:00 a.m. and was over by 9 a.m.

Leading the southern U.S. 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.<ref name="wood68">Wood p. 68</ref> Sullivan briefly held up his advance to make sure Greene's division had time to drive the Hessians from their outposts in the north.<ref name="wood68" /> 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.<ref name="wood68" /> 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.<ref name="wood68" /> 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 [[dragoon]]s also fled.<ref name="wood68" /> 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.<ref>[[#mcCullough2006|McCullough 2006]], p. 280</ref> By this time, U.S. artillery from the other side of the Delaware River had come into action, devastating the Hessian positions.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 239</ref>

Trenton had two main streets, King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street. Rall had been ordered to build a [[redoubt]] at the head of these two streets (where the battle monument stands today) by his superior, Count [[Carl von Donop]], whose own brigade was stationed in Bordentown. Von Donop was not in Bordentown. He had marched south to Mount Holly on the 22nd to deal with the South Jersey Rising, and clashed with the New Jersey militia there on the 23rd. An officer of the Hessian engineers, Captain Pauli, was sent to Trenton with those orders but was sent back by Rall, without building the redoubt. 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]]."

With the sounding of the alarm, the three Hessian regiments began to prepare for battle.<ref name="fish240">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 240</ref> 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.<ref name="fish240" /> 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.<ref name="wood68" />

A small guard post was set up by the [[Hessian]]s in Pennington about nine miles north of Trenton, along Washington's route to the city. When the squad guarding this post saw the large American force on the march, Lieutenant Wiederhold, in command of this Pennington picket, made an organized retreat. Once in Trenton the picket began to receive support 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. General John Sullivan, leading the southern American column entered Trenton by this route and made it hard for the only crossing over the Assunpink Creek, which was the only way out of Trenton to the south, in hopes of cutting off the Hessian escape.

When the 35 Hessian [[Jäger (military)|Jägers]] under the command of Lieutenant Grothausen who were stationed at the barracks on the northern edge of the town saw the vanguard of Sullivan's forced charging into Trenton, they ran over the Assunpink bridge and left Trenton. Slowly, various companies of the three defending regiments formed and entered battle. Lieutenant Biel, Rall's brigade adjutant, finally awoke his commander, who found that the rebels had taken the "V" of the major streets of the town where earlier that month Pauli would have constructed the redoubt. The northern American column quickly took this position, and with their cannons denied the Hessians a chance to form in the streets, while the remaining men in the column, and the other column near the river, moved to surround the Hessians.

The U.S. 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.<ref name="wood70">Wood p. 70</ref> The Hessians formed ranks and began to advance up the street, but their formations were quickly broken by the U.S. guns and fire from Mercer's men who had taken houses on the left side of the street.<ref name="wood70" /> Breaking ranks, the Hessians fled. Rall ordered two three-pound cannons into action. After getting off six rounds each, within just a few minutes, half of the Hessians manning their guns were killed by the U.S. cannon.<ref name="wood70" /> After the men fled to cover behind houses and fences, their cannons were taken by the Americans.<ref name="wood71">Wood p. 71</ref> Following capture of the cannons, men under the command of [[George Weedon]] advanced down King Street.<ref name="wood68" />

Rall led his men and the men of the Lossberg regiment, under Lt Col. Scheffer, out of the town and attempted to reorganize and retake the town. The Americans, by this time, occupied the majority of the buildings and, from cover, fired into the ranks of the Rall regiment. The regiment broke and routed back through the ranks of the Lossberg regiment, causing more chaos. The two regiments were surrounded in an orchard south of the town, and from the smoke came the drums and standards playing the parley. Rall could be seen slumped over in his saddle; he was mortally wounded.

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.<ref name="wood68" /> The Knyphausen regiment became separated from the Lossberg and the Rall regiments. The Lossberg and the Rall regiments fell back to a field outside of 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.<ref name="wood71" />

At the Assunpink Creek, the Knyphausen regiment, under Lt Col. von Dechow, became cut off from the bridge and was surrounded. The regiment surrendered just minutes before the rest of the brigade. The American forces had suffered only a handful of wounded, although two men died of [[hypothermia]] on the march and more the next night, while the Hessians suffered 114 casualties with at least 23 dead, as well as 913 captured. Rall was mortally wounded and died the same day. 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 men along with the regiment's cannons and supplies.

===Hessian resistance collapses===

The Hessians in the field attempted to reorganize and make one last attempt to retake the town so they could make a breakout.<ref name="Wood p.72">Wood p. 72</ref> Rall decided to attack the U.S. flank on the heights north of the town.<ref name="fish246">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 246</ref> 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.<ref name="fish246" /><ref>[[#ketchum1999|Ketchum, 1999]], p. 262</ref>

Washington, still on high ground, saw the Hessians approaching the U.S. flank. He moved his troops to assume battle formation against the enemy.<ref name="fish246" /> The two Hessian regiments began marching toward King Street but were caught in U.S. fire that came at them from three directions.<ref name="fish246" /> Some Americans had taken up defensive positions inside houses, reducing their exposure. Some civilians joined the fight against the Hessians.<ref name="fish249">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 249</ref> Despite this, they continued to push, recapturing their cannons. At the head of King Street, Knox saw the Hessians had retaken the cannons and ordered his troops to take them. Six men ran and, after a brief struggle, seized the cannons, turning them on the Hessians.<ref name="fish247">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 247</ref> With most of the Hessians unable to fire their guns, the attack stalled. The Hessians' formations broke, and they began to scatter.<ref name="fish249" /> Rall was mortally wounded.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 248</ref> Washington led his troops down from high ground while yelling, "March on, my brave fellows, after me!"<ref name="fish249" /> Most of the Hessians retreated into an orchard, with the Americans in close pursuit. Quickly surrounded,<ref name="fish251">[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 251</ref> 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.<ref name="fish251" /> 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.<ref name="wood74">Wood p. 74</ref>

===Casualties and capture===

[[File:James Monroe (1758-1831).jpg|thumb|right|upright|The future president [[James Monroe]] fought in the Battle of Trenton alongside [[George Washington]]]]

The Hessian forces lost 22 killed in action, including their commander Colonel Johann Rall, 83 wounded, and 896 captured{{ndash}}including the wounded.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 254</ref> The Americans suffered only two deaths during the march and five wounded from battle, including a near-fatal shoulder wound to future president [[James Monroe]]. Other losses incurred by the patriots from exhaustion, exposure, and illness in the following days may have raised their fatalities above those of the Hessians.<ref name=Fischer255>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 255</ref>

The captured Hessians were sent to [[Philadelphia]] and later [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]. In 1777 they were moved to Virginia.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 379</ref> Rall was mortally wounded and died later that night at his headquarters.<ref name=Fischer255/> 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.<ref>[[#mitchell2003|Mitchell, 2003]], p. 43</ref> The Americans also captured their entire store of provisions—tons of flour, dried and salted meats, ale and other liquors, as well as shoes, boots, clothing and bedding—things that were as much needed by the ragtag Continental forces as weapons and horses.

Among those captured by the Patriots was [[Christian Strenge]], later to become a schoolmaster and [[fraktur (folk art)|fraktur]] artist in Pennsylvania.<ref name="selftaughtgenius">{{Cite web |url=http://selftaughtgenius.org/reads/johann-christian-strenge |title=Johann Christian Strenge – Self-Taught Genius |last=Brooklyn United |website=selftaughtgenius.org |access-date=Apr 6, 2019 |archive-date=September 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907193049/http://selftaughtgenius.org/reads/johann-christian-strenge |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Hessian drinking===

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 tomorrow morning."<ref>[[#stryker1898|Stryker, 1898]], p. 361</ref> 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."<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 426</ref> 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."<ref>[[#lengel2005|Lengel, 2005]], p. 186</ref>

==Aftermath==

After the Hessians' surrender, Washington is reported to have shaken the hand of a young officer and said, "This is a glorious day for our country."<ref>[[#ferling2007|Ferling, 2007]], p. 178</ref> On December 28, General Washington interviewed Lieutenant (later Colonel) Andreas Wiederhold, who detailed the failures of Rall's preparation.<ref>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</ref> 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.<ref name="wood75">Wood p. 75</ref> Without their 2,400 men, Washington realized he did not have the forces to attack Princeton and New Brunswick.<ref name="wood75" />

By noon, Washington's force had moved to recross the Delaware back into [[Pennsylvania]], taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them. This battle gave the [[Continental Congress]] a new confidence because it proved American forces could defeat regulars. It also increased the re-enlistments in the Continental Army forces. The Americans had now proved themselves against a disciplined European army and the fear the Hessians inspired earlier that year in New York was broken. As Captain Johann Ewald [of the Jägers], who was with von Donop in Mt Holly at the time of the attack, said of the Americans later, "We must now give them the honor of fortifications".

By noon, Washington's force had moved across the Delaware back into Pennsylvania, taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them.<ref name="wood75" /> Washington would follow up his success a week later in the [[Battle of the Assunpink Creek]] and the [[Battle of Princeton]] solidifying Patriot gains.

While only two Americans were wounded, both of the injuries occurred during the Americans' rush to capture Hessian artillery, to prevent the guns from being used. These wounded were officers: Captain [[William Washington]] (the General's cousin), who was badly wounded in both hands, and young 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, keeping him from bleeding to death.<ref>Fischer, p. 247.</ref>

==Legacy==

The hours 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 Delaware River, is more symbolic than historically accurate, since 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.

[[File: The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton December 26 1776.jpeg|thumb|The painting ''[[The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776]]'' by [[John Trumbull]]]]

This small but decisive battle, as with the later [[Battle of Cowpens]], had an effect disproportionate to its size. The Patriot victory gave the [[Continental Congress]] new confidence, as it proved colonial forces could defeat the British in the future. It also increased re-enlistments in the Continental Army forces. By defeating a European army, the colonials reduced the fear that the Hessians had caused earlier that year after the fighting in New York.<ref name="Wood p.72"/> Howe was stunned that the Patriots so easily surprised and overwhelmed the Hessian garrison.<ref name="wood74" /> Colonial support for the rebellion was further buoyed significantly at this time by writings of [[Thomas Paine]] and additional successful actions by the New Jersey Militia.<ref>[[#fischer2006|Fischer, 2006]], p. 143</ref>

== References ==

<references/>

*[[David Hackett Fisher|Fisher, David Hackett]]. ''[[Washington's Crossing]].'' Oxford University Press USA, 2004, 576 pages. ISBN 0195170342

*Ketchum, Richard. ''The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton''. Owl Books, 1999, 448 pages. ISBN 0805060987

Two notable U.S. officers were wounded while leading the charge down King Street: [[William Washington]], cousin of General Washington, 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.<ref name="fish247"/>

The [[Trenton Battle Monument]], erected at "Five Points" in Trenton, stands as a tribute to this U.S. victory.<ref>[[#burt2001|Burt, 2001]], p. 439</ref> The crossing of the Delaware River and battle are reenacted by local enthusiasts every year (unless the weather is too severe on the river).<ref>{{cite web |title=Cross With Us |date=November 11, 2014 |url=https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/cross-with-us/ |publisher=[[Washington Crossing Historic Park]] |access-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303140301/https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/cross-with-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Eight current Army National Guard units (101st Eng Bn,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 101st Engineer Battalion</ref> 103rd Eng Bn,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 103rd Engineer Battalion.</ref> A/1-104th Cav,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, Troop A/1st Squadron/104th Cavalry.</ref> 111th Inf,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 111th Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981. pp. 217–219.</ref> 125th QM Co,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 125th Quartermaster Company. {{cite web |url=http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/News/Pages/125th%20Quartermaster%20Company%20honored%20for%20storied%20lineage%20and%20service%20at%20Lexington%20and%20Concord.aspx |title=125th Quartermaster Company honored for storied lineage, service at Lexington and Concord |access-date=2012-02-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218191827/http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/News/Pages/125th%20Quartermaster%20Company%20honored%20for%20storied%20lineage%20and%20service%20at%20Lexington%20and%20Concord.aspx |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[175th Infantry Regiment (United States)|175th Inf]],<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 175th Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1982, pp. 343–345.</ref> 181st Inf<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 181st Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981, pp. 354–355.</ref> and 198th Sig Bn<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 198th Signal Battalion.</ref>) and one currently-active Regular Army Artillery battalion (1–5th FA)<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. [http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/fa/0005fa01bn.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418113310/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/fa/0005fa01bn.htm|date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> are derived from U.S. units that participated in the Battle of Trenton. [[Army National Guard and Active Regular Army Units with Colonial Roots|There are thirty current units of the U.S. Army with colonial roots]].

===Painting===

[[File:Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851.jpg|thumb|''Washington Crossing the Delaware'' (1851), by [[Emanuel Leutze]]]]

In 1851, [[German Americans|German-American]] artist [[Emanuel Leutze]] painted the second of three paintings depicting [[Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851 painting)|Washington crossing the Delaware]]. It is in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]. At the time of its first exhibition it caused a sensation, in Europe and the United States. Leutze hoped it would stir revolutionary sentiments in Germany. After six months in Germany it was shipped to New York City where the ''[[New-York Mirror]]'' newspaper lauded it as "the grandest, most majestic, and most effective painting ever exhibited in America".<ref name="MountVernonOrg">{{cite web |title=10 Facts about Washington's Crossing of the Delaware River |url=https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/washingtons-revolutionary-war-battles/the-trenton-princeton-campaign/10-facts-about-washingtons-crossing-of-the-delaware-river/ |website=George Washington's Mount Vernon |language=en |access-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111212846/https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/washingtons-revolutionary-war-battles/the-trenton-princeton-campaign/10-facts-about-washingtons-crossing-of-the-delaware-river/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The painting is the center-piece of the collections in the American Wing. It is still one of the most recognizable paintings at the Metropolitan. It is central to the canon of American historical art images, its monumental popularity undimmed in the years since it was first exhibited.<ref name="MetRestoration">{{cite book |last1=Barratt |first1=Carrie |last2=Mayer |first2=Lance |last3=Myers |first3=Guy |last4=Wilner |first4=Eli |last5=Smeaton |first5=Suzanne |title=Washington crossing the Delaware : restoring an American masterpiece |date=2012 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |___location=New York |isbn=978-1-58839-439-2 |page=3}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[American Revolutionary War#British New York counter-offensive|American Revolutionary War British New York counter-offensive]]. The 'Battle of Trenton' placed in overall sequence and strategic context.

* [[Battle of Bennington]]

* [[Battle of Iron Works Hill]]

* [[Battle of Princeton]] – fought the day after the Battle of the Assunpink Creek

* [[Battle of the Assunpink Creek]] – also known as the Second Battle of Trenton, fought one week later

* [[Battles of Saratoga]]

* [[Siege of Yorktown (1781)|Battle of Yorktown]]

* [[Siege of Fort Vincennes]] – the Trenton of the [[Western theater of the American Revolutionary War]]

* [[List of American Revolutionary War battles]]

* [[New Jersey in the American Revolution]]

==Footnotes==

{{reflist|25em}}

==Bibliography==

* {{cite book |last=Brooks |first=Victor |title=How America Fought Its Wars |___location=New York |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=1999 |isbn=1-58097-002-8 |ref=brooks1999}}

* {{cite book |last=Burt |first=Daniel S. |title=The Biography Book |___location=New York |publisher=Oryx Press |year=2001 |isbn=1-57356-256-4 |ref=burt2001}}

<!-- * {{cite book |last=Elson |first=William Henry |title=History of the United States of America |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Bn0QAAAAYAAJ |publisher=Macmillan |year=1908 |ref=elson1908}} -->

* {{cite book |last=Ferling |first=John|author-link=John Ferling |title=Almost a Miracle |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-19-518121-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/almostmiracleam00ferl |ref=ferling2007}}

* {{cite book |last=Fischer |first=David Hackett|author-link=David Hackett Fischer |title=[[Washington's Crossing (book)|Washington's Crossing]] |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-19-517034-2 |ref=fischer2006}}

* {{cite book |last=Ketchum |first=Richard |title=The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton |publisher=Holt Paperbacks |edition=1st Owl books |year=1999 |isbn=0-8050-6098-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/wintersoldiersba0000ketc_q0o5 |ref=ketchum1999}}

* {{cite book |last=Lengel |first=Edward |title=General George Washington, a Military Life |___location=New York |publisher=Random House Paperbacks |year=2005 |isbn=0-8129-6950-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/generalgeorgewas00leng |url-access=registration |ref=lengel2005}}

* {{cite book |last=McCullough |first=David |author-link=David McCullough |title=1776 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780743226721 |url-access=registration |quote=1776 David. |___location=New York |publisher=Simon and Schuster Paperback |year=2006 |isbn=0-7432-2672-0 |ref=mcCullough2006}}

* {{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Craig |title=George Washington's New Jersey |publisher=Middle Atlantic Press |year=2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7VgXM1w0e80C&q=George+Washington%27s+New+Jersey |isbn=0-9705804-1-X |ref=mitchell2003}}

* {{cite book |last=Rosenfeld |first=Lucy |title=History Walks in New Jersey |publisher=Rutgers |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8135-3969-0 |ref=rosenfeld2007}}

* {{cite book |last=Savas |first=Theodore |title=Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution |publisher=Savas Beatie |year=2006 |isbn=1-932714-12-X |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wj0OAQAAMAAJ|author6=Theodore P. Savas |ref=savas2006 }}

* {{cite book |title=Infantry Regiments of the US Army |first=James A. |last=Sawicki |publisher=Wyvern Publications |___location=[[Dumfries, VA]] |year=1981 |isbn=978-0-9602404-3-2 |ref=Sawicki}}

* {{cite book |last=Scheer |first=George |title=Rebels and Redcoats |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=1987 |isbn=0-306-80307-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJIqTB0B_7kC |author6=George F. Scheer }}

* {{cite book |last=Schuyler |first=Hamilton |title=A history of Trenton, 1679-1929 |volume=|authorlink=|publisher=Princeton : Princeton University Press: The Trenton Historical Society |year=1929 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyoftrenton00unse/page/n9/mode/2up |ref=schuyler1929}}

* {{cite book |last=Stanhope |first=Phillip Henry |title=History of England: From the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles |publisher=GB, Murray |year=1854 |ref=stanhope1854}}

* {{cite book |last1=Stryker |first1=William S. |title=The Battles of Trenton and Princeton |year=1898 |url=https://archive.org/details/battlesoftrenton00stry |___location=Boston |publisher=[[Houghton, Mifflin and Company]] |oclc=49835662 |ref=stryker1898}}

* Tucker, Philip Thomas (2014), ''George Washington's Surprise Attack: A New Look at the Battle That Decided the Fate of America'', [[Skyhorse Publishing]], {{ISBN|978-1628736526}}

* {{cite book |last=Wiederholdt |first=Andreas |title=Tagebuch des Capt. Wiederholdt vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780 |editor=M.D. Learned |editor2=C. Grosse |publisher=The MacMillan Co, New York |orig-year=1862 |___location=The University of Michigan Library |year=2015}}

* {{cite book |last=Wood |first=W.J. Henry |title=Battles of the Revolutionary War |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2003 |isbn=0-306-81329-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yef9XDwpFeIC }}

==Further reading==

* Maloy, Mark. ''Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, December 25, 1776 – January 3, 1777''. Emerging Revolutionary War Series. El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie, 2018. {{ISBN|978-1-61121-381-2}}.

==External links==

{{Commons category|Battle of Trenton}}

{{EB1911 poster|Trenton and Princeton, Battles of|Battles of Trenton and Princeton}}

* {{cite web |title=The Two Battles of Trenton |url=http://www.trentonhistory.org/His/battles.html |publisher=The Trenton Historical Society}}

* {{cite web |author1=Cody Las |title=Battle of Trenton |url=https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/battle-of-trenton |publisher=George Washington's Mount Vernon}}

{{Trenton, New Jersey|state=collapsed}}

{{New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War}}

{{George Washington}}

{{James Monroe}}

{{American Revolutionary War|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

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