F16.3B

F16.3B Washington Leads A Surprise Attack On Trenton
Janurary 3, 1777

On Christmas night, General Washington started leading his march over the Delaware River, towards Trenton, New Jersey. He arrived at the city at eight am. One American summed up the battle by saying, "Hessian population at eight am- 1408 men and 39 officers. Hessian population at nine am- 0." They came early in the morning and General Rall and his army never had a chance to get ready. Patriots and Loyalists alike, were glad Washington won the battle and to be rid of the German troops.

The parties that participated in this battle were The Continental Army which were made up of 2,400 troops led by General George Washington, 100 British soldiers in a light horseman unit, and 1,520 German Hessian (pronounced "hesh-in"), who were hired by the British to fight. The commander of the Hessian troops, was Johann Rall. Few of the British troops, hired or otherwise, escaped without a wound. Some had escaped through the Assunpink creek in the rear of the city. Most were captured; about two thirds. However, there were five casualties in the Continental Army, all of which were caused by exposure to the subzero temperatures and the freezing waters of the Delaware.

The Battle of Trenton was General George Washington's attack on the city of Trenton, NJ in 1776. To launch this attack, he first marched the dwindling Continental Army across nine miles of snow and ice in subzero temperatures, and then crossed the Delaware River. Upon arrival at the town, which was occupied by 1,520 British-hired mercenaries, Washington led his cannon up the main road, while another group of troops cut off the exit roads. The assault began, and the panicked Germans (many of which were intoxicated due to a Christmas celebration) ran in the streets without order. Their general, Johann Rall, was eventually killed while trying to rally his troops. The city was taken, and although it wasn't a very strategic point, it had the effect Washington had wanted. The morale of the Patriots was reignited in the face of victory, and there were many new enlistments and re-enlistments to the Continental Army. Soldiers were even starting to stay in service longer because of a new respect they held for their military. The French decided to ally with the Colonies, and fight the British on land and in the water. The colonies were once again excited in their fight against Britain.

The Continental Army crossed the icy and fataly dangerous Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. The next day, they attacked at eight in the morning and the city had been taken over by General George Washington by nine in the morning. Fighting had carried on for only ninety minutes. Later, we found out that they started out for Trenton at four in the morning, and due to the conditions when marching and stealthily moving across the river, some men died of exposure. These were the only American Patriot deaths in the battle.

After their defeat in New York, The Continental Army decided to flee south from New York into New Jersey. They devised a plan to attack and take the city of Trenton, New Jersey. It isn't a very large city, but Washington wanted to end the year with a victory. They captured most of the Hessian troops. Some are believed to have escaped early in the battle through the Assunpink creek, which is behind the city walls. Now, they are starting to march towards Princeton to prevent the capture of it by more British troops.

Previously in New York, Washington had been overwhelmed by the British. After, they were defeated in many small battles. They needed to flee, and the most logical way was south. The army needed a morale boost that the capturing of Trenton provided. More and more men are now signing up and staying longer in the army. They were very low on supplies. Some didn't even have shoes. They were low on ammunition, which is why capturing a city full of trained German mercinaries was an incredible uplift. Trenton held more supplies and could rally Americans for the cause of independence. America is now begining to be more hopeful that they can outlast a grand army.

General Washington's army is now very inspired to fight. They have less of a fear of European military because they know they that it is possible to beat them. Hessian numbers have decreased significantly in the colonies. The British have lost an important general; Johann Rall. Americans loyal to the crown did not like Hessians for the most part. They treated all Americans the same, and attacked them whether they fought back or not.

Reported by: Jesse Bergoine, Sabrina Palmer, Jake Hauman