Battle of Trenton

1. Battle of Trenton It was common in the 18th century to stop wars in the winter and General Howe settled in New York City. General Cornwallis’s troops were ordered to winter in New Jersey and some Hessian troops settled in Trenton, right across the Delaware River from Washington’s troops. The winter of 1776 was bitterly cold and Washington’s army was down to 6,000 men. The soldiers had no tents and very little clothing. Most of the men’s enlistment would be up on December 31st and so Washington knew he would have almost no army . Washington knew that he needed a victory to prove to the Continental Congress and to the colonists that the cause wasn’t lost. On December 25th Washington and his soldiers rowed across the Delaware River on boats and canoes. Henry Knox (remember Fort Ticonderoga?) was in charge of the 18 cannons and historians say that Washington said, “ Henry, sit down or you will swamp the boat.” (Knox was a large man).

2. The Hessians were warm in their barracks in Trenton celebrating Christmas and the German commander, Johann Rallwas playing cards when he was given a note telling him that Washington’s troops had crossed the Delaware. He put the note in his pocket without reading it and went on playing cards! By the 26th of December all of Washington’s troops had crossed the river. Washington wrote “ the snowy road to Trenton was marked with the blood of my soldier’s feet.” Washington’s Troops attacked the sleeping Hessian army and surrounded them. More than 900 officers and soldiers surrendered to Washington and over a hundred were killed. There are reports that there were no American casualties. Congress was so happy that Washington had won a battle, they actually gave Washington the powers that would make him a dictator. They told him that he had the power to arrest anybody that disloyal to the “American Cause.” Washington refused. He also refused to force loyalists or people that were neutral to take Continental money when they were afraid it was worth nothing.

3. Battle of Princeton Deeply concerned by Washington's victory over the British at Trenton on December 26, 1776, General Cornwallis of Great Britain arrived with his troops in Trenton on the evening of January 2 prepared to overwhelm Washington's 5,000 exhausted Continental Army. Washington knew better than to engage such a force and Cornwallis knew Washington would try to escape overnight, but he was left to guess at what course Washington would take. Cornwallis sent troops to guard the Delaware River, expecting Washington to reverse the route he took for the midnight crossing on December 25. Instead, Washington left his campfires burning, muffled the wheels of his army's wagons and snuck around the side of the British camp. On the morning of January 2, the Americans moved to Princeton and teamed up with reinforcements. Washington's army spotted a British regiment marching toward Cornwallis and engaged in battle. The surprised redcoats fled throughout the city. Most of the men were taken prisoner while some ran and hid in Princeton University. The men surrendered after Captain Alexander Hamilton fired into the building.

4. After hearing of the battle, Cornwallis hurried to protect New Brunswick, the main supply camp. Because of this setback, he was unable to take Philadelphia. Fooling Cornwallis again, Washington captured Hackensack and Elizabethtown. All of New Jersey, except for New Brunswick and Amboy, was now under American control.

5. Battle of Trenton ________________________________and General Howe settled in New York City. General Cornwallis’s troops were ordered to winter in New Jersey and ______________________________________________________________________. The winter of 1776 was bitterly cold and Washington’s army was down to 6,000 men. The soldiers had no tents and very little clothing. Most of the men’s enlistment would be up on December 31st and so Washington knew he would have almost no army . Washington knew that he needed a victory to prove to the Continental Congress and to the colonists that the cause wasn’t lost. _________________________________________________. Henry Knox (remember Fort Ticonderoga?) was in charge of the 18 cannons and historians say that Washington said, “ Henry, sit down or you will swamp the boat.” (Knox was a large man).

6. The Hessians were warm in their barracks in Trenton celebrating Christmas and _________________________________________ was playing cards when he was given a note telling him that Washington’s troops had crossed the Delaware. He put the note in his pocket without reading it and went on playing cards! By the 26th of December all of Washington’s troops had crossed the river. __________________________________________________________________________. Washington’s Troops attacked the sleeping Hessian army and surrounded them. __________________________________________________________________________________________. Congress was so happy that Washington had won a battle, _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

7. Battle of Princeton Deeply concerned by Washington's victory over the British at Trenton on December 26, 1776, _____________________________________________________________prepared to overwhelm Washington's 5,000 exhausted Continental Army. Washington knew better than to engage such a force and Cornwallis knew Washington would try to escape overnight, but he was left to guess at what course Washington would take. Cornwallis sent troops to guard the Delaware River, expecting Washington to reverse the route he took for the midnight crossing on December 25. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________.Washington's army spotted a British regiment marching toward Cornwallis and engaged in battle. The surprised redcoats fled throughout the city. Most of the men were taken prisoner while some ran and hid in Princeton University. The men surrendered after Captain Alexander Hamilton fired into the building.

8. After hearing of the battle, ______________________________________________________________________. Fooling Cornwallis again, Washington captured Hackensack and Elizabethtown. All of New Jersey, except for New Brunswick and Amboy, was now under American control.