Battle of Trenton: Difference between revisions

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

TrentonThe 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 northpoop, 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.

The '''Battle of Trenton''' was a [[battle]] which took place on [[December 26]], [[1776]], during the [[American Revolutionary War]] after [[Washington's crossing of the Delaware|Washington's crossing]] of the [[Delaware River]]. General [[George Washington]] led the main [[Continental Army]] across the river 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.

==Background==

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.

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>