Hessian soldiers

1. Hessian soldiers • German soldiers who were paid money to fight on the British side against the Americans • (against the Continental Army)

2. Desperate • overwhelmed with urgency and anxiety, to the point of losing hope • so drastic or reckless as to be • suitable only for a last resort Crossing the Delaware by Louise Peacock p. 12 • Dec.-There were 3 full Hessian regiments in Trenton & there many more British troops nearby. The British were well fed, rested & warm. The 2400 American soldiers still strong & healthy enough to fight were hungry & cold & tired & discouraged. What could General Washington do? • He decided to attack. • It was such a desperate thing to do.

3. Delaware River

4. George Washington Crossing the Delaware, Emmanuel Leutze 1851

5. Of course, few of the soldiers who crossed the river that horrible night to fight what was to be one of the few battles that can be said to have changed the course of the history of the entire world were as fortunate as Monroe or Madison. Major James Wilkinson, who was on his way to join Washington, found his route easy to follow: "There was a little snow on the ground, which was tinged here and there with blood from the feet of the men who wore broken shoes." Primary documents differ about Patriot casualties, but even the most pessimistic reflect that the only American dead after the battle were two soldiers who froze to death.

6. Trenton, New Jersey

7. Battles of Trenton and Princeton • George Washington caught the Hessians “sleeping off” their Christmas fun. • George Washington beat and captured most of the Hessians at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton

8. The New Continental Army • The patriots entered Valley Forge as losers • Thanks to: • Washington’s leadership • Von Steuben’s Training • The patriots left Valley Forge as a professional army. • It takes a bad winter to make a good winner!