The Battle of Trenton

1. The Battle of Trenton And the Victory at Princeton

2. The Declaration of Independence • The Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted on July 4th, 1776 • This represented an official declaration of war against the British Government

3. Early Battles • Most early battles involved few troops • Bunker Hill • 2,200 British • 1,200 Americans • The British had not won a decisive battle over the Patriots • Summer of 1776 • British sent 32,000 troops to New York • General Howe hoped that the huge army would convince the Patriots to give up

4. Fighting in New York • Long Island • Washington had fewer than 20,000 troops • But they were determined to fight • Continental Army was outnumbered • They suffered heavy losses • Americans ran short on supplies • Casualties • British – 400 • American - 1500 • Washington retreats to Manhattan then to New Jersey and on to Pennsylvania

6. Nathan Hale • Hero at Long Island • Teacher from Connecticut • Disquised as a Dutch Schoolteacher • Wanted to spy on British • Hale was discovered and hanged • “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” • Nathan Hale

7. A Low Point • Winter of 1776 – 1777 • Continental Army dwindles • Soldiers went home or deserted • Washington wrote his brother • If new soldiers were not recruited soon, “I think the game is pretty near up.” • Washington could not believe that the fight for liberty would truly fail.

8. African Americans Join the Fight • Continental Army needed soldiers • Estimated 5,000 African-American joined the Patriots • Enslaved Africans who had run away • Fought to earn their freedom • By wars end, all colonies except South Carolina had enlisted African Americans

9. The Winter of 1776-1777 • General Howe took his troops to New York for the Winter • He left New Jersey in the hands of the Hessians • Howe’s delay allowed Washington to gather reinforcements • Thomas Paine said, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” • He urged Patriots to remain loyal to their cause

10. The Battle of Trenton • Washington plans a surprise attack on the Hessians • December 25, 1776 • Washington and his men cross the Delaware River into Trenton • 2,500 Men • Lasted less than 1 hour • Patriots captured more than 900 Hessians • Only 5 American Cassualties • The victory boosted American Spirits

13. On to Princeton • Washington was not satisfied • Patriots march toward Princeton • January 2, 1777 • Patriots keep campfires burning • Left camp under the cover of night • The encircled the British Troops • Princeton was another victory for the Patriots • “It is a fine fox chase, my boys!” • George Washington