In the Battle of Trenton December 26 , Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. A week later he returned to Trenton to lure British forces south, then executed a daring night march to capture Princeton on January 3. The victories reasserted American control of much of New Jersey and greatly improved the morale and unity of the colonial army and militias.
Did you know? Three years earlier, Hamilton had applied to the college but been rejected when he asked for permission to take courses at his own pace. The British then pursued the Americans across New Jersey.
In mid-December Washington led his army south across the Delaware River. They camped on the Pennsylvania side, short of food, ammunition and supplies. Washington realized that without a decisive action, the Continental Army was likely doomed, so he planned a daring assault on the Hessian garrison at Trenton. In the end, neither Cadwalader nor Ewing were able to carry out their parts of the plan.
As he approached the town, Washington divided his men, sending flanking columns under General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan. Rall attempted to rally his troops but was never able to establish a defensive perimeter, and was shot from his horse and fatally wounded.
The Hessians quickly surrendered. All told, 22 were killed, 92 wounded, captured and escaped in the Battle of Trenton.
