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'{{for|the battle that took place in Trenton, New Jersey on January 2, 1777|Battle of the Assunpink Creek}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Battle of Trenton | partof = the [[American Revolutionary War]] | image = [[File:Battle of Trenton by Charles McBarron.jpg|border|300px]] | caption = ''Battle of Trenton'', by [[H. Charles McBarron, Jr.]], 1975 | combatant1 = {{flag|United States|1776|size=23px}} | combatant2 = {{Flagdeco|Hesse}} [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Hesse-Kassel]] | map_type = New Jersey | map_relief = 1 | map_size = 290 | map_caption = | date = {{Start date|1776|12|26}} | place = [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], [[New Jersey]] | territorial changes = Americans gain control of Trenton | result = American victory<ref name="Wood p.72"/> | commander1 = {{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[George Washington]]<br />{{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[Nathanael Greene]]<br />{{Flagdeco|United States|1776}} [[John Sullivan (general)|John Sullivan]] | commander2 = {{Nowrap|{{Flagdeco|Hesse}} [[Johann Rall]]{{KIA}}}} | strength1 = 2,400 plus supporting troops and artillery across the Delaware River<br/>18 guns<ref name="fish391-393">Fischer p.391-393</ref> | strength2 = 1,500 Troops<br/>6 guns<ref name="fis396" >Fischer p.396</ref> | casualties1 = 2 dead (of [[Hypothermia|exposure]] during march)<br/>5 wounded<ref>Fischer p. 406</ref><br>Additional non-combat casualties likely | casualties2 = 22 killed<br/>83 wounded<br/>800–900 captured<ref>Fischer p. 254—Casualty numbers vary slightly with the Hessian forces, usually between 21–23 killed, 80–95 wounded and 890–920 captured (including the wounded), but it is generally agreed that the casualties were in this area.</ref> | campaignbox = {{campaignbox American Revolutionary War: Northern 1775}} }} The ''Suck my big ass dick bitch''' was a small but pivotal Hookup during the [[Pornhub Rights Battle]] which took place on the morning of No Nut November, 1776, in [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], [[New Jersey]]. After General [[George Washington]]'s [[George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River|crossing of the Delaware River]] north of Trenton the previous night, Washington led the main body of the [[Continental Army]] against [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian]] [[auxiliaries]] garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, almost two-thirds of the Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans. The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired re-enlistments. The Continental Army had previously [[New York and New Jersey campaign|suffered several defeats]] in [[New York (state)|New York]] and had been forced to retreat through [[New Jersey]] to [[Pennsylvania]]. Morale in the army was low; to end the year on a positive note, George Washington—Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army—devised a plan to cross the [[Delaware River]] on the night of December&nbsp;25–26 and surround the German Hessians garrison. Because the river was icy and the weather severe, the crossing proved dangerous. Two detachments were unable to cross the river, leaving Washington with only 2,400 men under his command in the assault, 3,000 less than planned. The army marched {{convert|9|mi|km|1}} south to Trenton. The Hessians had lowered their guard, thinking they were safe from the American army, and had no long-distance outposts or patrols. Washington's forces caught them off guard and, after a short but fierce resistance, most of the Hessians surrendered and were captured, with just over a third escaping across [[Assunpink Creek]]. Despite the battle's small numbers, the American victory inspired rebels in the colonies. With the success of the revolution in doubt a week earlier, the army had seemed on the verge of collapse. The dramatic victory inspired soldiers to serve longer and attracted new recruits to the ranks. ==Background== {{main|New York and New Jersey campaign}} In early December 1776, [[United States|American]] morale was very low. The Americans had been [[Battle of Long Island|ousted from New York]] by the British and their [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian]] auxiliaries, and the Continental Army was forced to retreat across New Jersey. Ninety percent of the Continental Army soldiers who had served at Long Island were gone. Men had deserted, feeling that the cause for independence was lost. Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, expressed some doubts, writing to his cousin in Virginia, "I think the game is pretty near up."<ref name="ketch235"/> At the time a small town in New Jersey, [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], was occupied by four regiments of Hessian soldiers (numbering about 1,400 men) commanded by Colonel [[Johann Rall]]. Washington's force comprised 2,400 men, with infantry divisions commanded by Major Generals [[Nathanael Greene]] and [[John Sullivan (general)|John Sullivan]], and artillery under the direction of Brigadier General [[Henry Knox]].<ref>Stanhope p. 129</ref> ==Prelude== ===Intelligence === George Washington had stationed a spy named [[John Honeyman]], posing as a Tory, in Trenton. Honeyman had served with [[Major General]] [[James Wolfe]] in Quebec at the [[Battle of the Plains of Abraham]] on September 13, 1759, and had no trouble establishing his credentials as a Tory. Honeyman was a butcher and bartender, who traded with the British and Hessians. This enabled him to gather intelligence, and also to convince the Hessians that the Continental Army was in such a low state of morale that they would not attack Trenton. Shortly before Christmas, he arranged to be captured by the Continental Army, who had orders to bring him to Washington unharmed. After being questioned by Washington, he was imprisoned in a hut, to be tried as a Tory in the morning, but a small fire broke out nearby, enabling him to "escape."<ref>{{Citation | last=Van Dyke | first=John | title=An Unwritten Account of a Spy of Washington | journal=Our Home | year=1873}}</ref> ===American plan === [[File:Battle-of-Trenton.jpg|thumb|250px|The American plan of attack under Washington]] The American plan relied on launching coordinated attacks from three directions. General [[John Cadwalader (general)|John Cadwalader]] would launch a diversionary attack against the British garrison at [[Bordentown, New Jersey]], to block off reinforcements from the south. General [[James Ewing (Pennsylvania)|James Ewing]] would take 700 militia across the river at Trenton Ferry, seize the bridge over the [[Assunpink Creek]] and prevent enemy troops from escaping. The main assault force of 2,400 men would cross the river {{cvt|9|mi}} north of Trenton and split into two groups, one under Greene and one under Sullivan, to launch a pre-dawn attack.<ref name="bh56">Brooks p. 56</ref> Sullivan would attack the town from the south, and Greene from the north.<ref name="Savas84">Savas p. 84</ref> Depending on the success of the operation, the Americans would possibly follow up with separate attacks on [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]] and [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]].<ref name="bh55">Brooks p. 55</ref> During the week before the battle, American advance parties began to ambush enemy cavalry patrols, capturing dispatch riders and attacking Hessian pickets. The Hessian commander, to emphasize the danger to his men, sent 100 infantry and an artillery detachment to deliver a letter to the British commander at Princeton.<ref name="bh55"/> Washington ordered Ewing and his Pennsylvania militia to try to gain information on Hessian movements and technology.<ref name="Fischer195">Fischer p. 195</ref> Ewing instead made three successful raids across the river. On December 17 and 18, 1776, they attacked an outpost of [[jäger (military)|jäger]]s and on the 21st, they set fire to several houses.<ref name="Fischer195"/> Washington put constant watches on all possible crossings near the [[Continental Army]] encampment on the Delaware, as he believed [[William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe|William Howe]] would launch an attack from the north on Philadelphia if the river froze over.<ref>Ketchum p. 242</ref> On December 20, 1776, some 2,000 troops led by General Sullivan arrived in Washington's camp.<ref name="Savas83">Savas p. 83</ref> They had been under the command of [[Charles Lee (general)|Charles Lee]], and had been moving slowly through northern New Jersey when Lee was captured. That same day, an additional 800 troops arrived from [[Fort Ticonderoga]] under the command of [[Horatio Gates]].<ref name="Savas83"/> === Hessian moves === [[File:Battle-trenton-sketch-rochambeau.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Hessian Sketch of the Battle of Trenton]] On December 14, 1776, the Hessians arrived in Trenton to establish their winter quarters.<ref>Fischer p. 188</ref> At the time, Trenton was a small town with about 100 houses and two main streets, King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street.<ref>Ketchum p. 233</ref> [[Carl von Donop]], Rall's superior, had marched south to [[Mount Holly, New Jersey|Mount Holly]] on December 22 to deal with the resistance in New Jersey, and had [[Battle of Iron Works Hill|clashed]] with some New Jersey militia there on December 23.<ref>Rosenfeld p. 177</ref> Donop, who despised Rall, was reluctant to give command of Trenton to him.<ref name="Ketchum229">Ketchum p. 229</ref> Rall was known to be loud and unacquainted with the English language,<ref name="Ketchum229" /> but he was also a 36-year soldier with a great deal of battle experience. His request for reinforcements had been turned down by British commander General [[James Grant (British Army officer)|James Grant]], who disdained the American rebels and thought them poor soldiers. Despite Rall's experience, the Hessians at Trenton did not admire their commander.<ref name="Lengel183">Lengel p. 183</ref> They believed that he was too nice, and not ruthless enough to be successful.<ref name="Lengel183"/> His officers complained, "His love of life was too great, a thought came to him, then another, so he could not settle on a firm decision&nbsp;..."<ref name="Lengel185">Lengel p. 185</ref> Rall avoided hard work and had little concern for his troops' comfort.<ref name="Lengel185"/> Trenton lacked city walls or fortifications, which was typical of American settlements.<ref name="fish189">Fischer p. 189</ref> Some Hessian officers advised Rall to fortify the town, and two of his engineers advised that a [[redoubt]] be constructed at the upper end of town, and fortifications be built along the river.<ref name="fish189" /> The engineers went so far as to draw up plans, but Rall disagreed with them.<ref name="fish189" /> When Rall was again urged to fortify the town, he replied, "Let them come&nbsp;... We will go at them with the bayonet."<ref name="fish189" /> As Christmas approached, [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] came to Trenton to report the Americans were planning action.<ref name="ketch235">Ketchum p. 235</ref> American deserters told the Hessians that rations were being prepared for an advance across the river. Rall publicly dismissed such talk as nonsense, but privately in letters to his superiors, he said he was worried about an imminent attack.<ref name="ketch235" /> He wrote to Donop that he was "liable to be attacked at any moment". Rall said that Trenton was "indefensible" and asked that British troops establish a garrison in [[Lawrenceville, New Jersey|Maidenhead]] (now Lawrenceville). Close to Trenton, this would help defend the roads from Americans. His request was denied.<ref>Fischer p. 197</ref> As the Americans disrupted Hessian supply lines, the officers started to share Rall's fears. One wrote, "We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place."<ref name="ketch236">Ketchum p. 236</ref> On December 22, 1776, a spy reported to Grant that Washington had called a council of war; Grant told Rall to "be on your guard".<ref>Fischer p. 203</ref> The main Hessian force of 1,500 men was divided into three regiments: Knyphausen, Lossberg and Rall. That night, they did not send out any patrols because of the severe weather.<ref>Wood p. 65</ref> === Crossing and march === {{main|Washington's crossing of the Delaware River}} [[File:1819 Passage OfThe Delaware byThomasSully MFABoston.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|''Passage of the Delaware'', painting by American [[Thomas Sully]], 1819]] Before Washington and his troops left, [[Benjamin Rush]] came to cheer up the General. While he was there, he saw a note Washington had written, saying, "[[Washington's crossing of the Delaware River|Victory or Death]]".<ref name="ketch236" /> Those words would be the password for the surprise attack.<ref>McCullough p. 273</ref> Each soldier carried 60 rounds of ammunition, and three days of rations.<ref>McCullough p. 274</ref> When the army arrived at the shores of the Delaware, they were already behind schedule, and clouds began to form above them.<ref name="fish212">Fischer p. 212</ref> It began to rain. As the air's temperature dropped, the rain changed to sleet, and then to snow.<ref name="fish212" /> The Americans began to cross the river, with [[John Glover (general)|John Glover]] in command. The men went across in [[Durham boat]]s, while the horses and artillery went across on large ferries.<ref name="Ferling p.176">Ferling p. 176</ref> The [[14th Continental Regiment]] of [[John Glover (general)|Glover]] manned the boats. During the crossing, several men fell overboard, including Colonel [[John Haslet]]. Haslet was quickly pulled out of the water. No one died during the crossing, and all the artillery pieces made it over in good condition.<ref>Fischer p. 219</ref> Two small detachments of infantry of about 40 men each were ordered ahead of main columns.<ref name="fish221">Fischer p. 221</ref> They set roadblocks ahead of the main army, and were to take prisoner whoever came into or left the town.<ref name="fish221"/> One of the groups was sent north of Trenton, and the other was sent to block River Road, which ran along the Delaware River to Trenton.<ref>Fischer p. 222</ref> [[Image:Washingtons Crossing Park Cannon.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.2|alt=Photo shows an 18th-century cannon, probably a 3-pounder, with an old stone building and the Delaware River in the background.|Cannon at Washington's Crossing Historic Park]] The terrible weather conditions delayed the landings in [[New Jersey]] until 3:00&nbsp;am; the plan was that they were supposed to be completed by 12:00&nbsp;am. Washington realized it would be impossible to launch a pre-dawn attack. Another setback occurred for the Americans, as generals Cadwalader and Ewing were unable to join the attack due to the weather conditions.<ref name="bh56" /> At 4:00&nbsp;am, the soldiers began to march towards Trenton.<ref>Fischer p. 223</ref> Along the way, several civilians joined as volunteers, and led as guides (see Captain [[John Mott (captain)|John Mott]]) because of their knowledge of the terrain.<ref>Fischer p. 225</ref> After marching {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} through winding roads into the wind, they reached Bear Tavern, where they turned right.<ref name="fish26">Fischer p. 226</ref> The ground was slippery, but it was level, making it easier for the horses and artillery. They began to make better time.<ref name="fish26" /> They soon reached [[Jacobs Creek (New Jersey)|Jacobs Creek]], where, with difficulty, the Americans made it across.<ref>Fischer p. 227</ref> The two groups stayed together until they reached Birmingham, where they split apart.<ref name="Savas84"/> Soon after, they reached the house of Benjamin Moore, where the family offered food and drink to Washington.<ref name="fish28">Fischer p. 228</ref> At this point, the first signs of daylight began to appear.<ref name="fish28" /> Many of the troops did not have boots, so they were forced to wear rags around their feet. Some of the men's feet bled, turning the snow to a dark red. Two men died on the trip.<ref>Scheer p. 215</ref> As they marched, Washington rode up and down the line, encouraging the men to continue.<ref name="Ferling p.176" /> General Sullivan sent a courier to tell Washington that the weather was wetting his men's gunpowder. Washington responded, "Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/crossingatdtrenton.html|title=The Crossing And Battle At Trenton – 1776 |accessdate=August 14, 2008 |publisher=Bergen County Historical Society |author=Kevin Wright}}</ref> About {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} outside the town, the main columns reunited with the advance parties.<ref>Fischer p.231</ref> They were startled by the sudden appearance of 50 armed men, but they were American. Led by [[Adam Stephen]], they had not known about the plan to attack Trenton, and had attacked a Hessian outpost.<ref name="fish32">Fischer p. 232</ref> Washington feared the Hessians would have been put on guard, and shouted at Stephen, "You sir! You Sir, may have ruined all my plans by having them put on their guard."<ref name="fish32" /> Despite this, Washington ordered the advance continue to Trenton. In the event, Rall thought the first raid was the attack which Grant had warned him about, and that there would be no further action that day.<ref>McCullough p. 279</ref> == Battle == {{see also|Order of battle of the Battle of Trenton}} ===American attack=== [[File:Battle of Trenton.Dean.USMA.edu.history.gif|thumb|right|300px|The Battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776]] At 8 am, the outpost was set up by the Hessians at a cooper shop on Pennington Road about one mile north-west of Trenton. Washington led the assault, riding in front of his soldiers.<ref name="fish235">Fischer p. 235</ref> As the Hessian commander of the outpost, Lieutenant Andreas Wiederholdt, left the shop, an American fired at him but missed.<ref name="fish235" /> Wiederholdt immediately shouted, ''"Der Feind!"'' (The Enemy!) and other Hessians came out.<ref name="fish237">Fischer p. 237</ref> The Americans fired three volleys and the Hessians returned one of their own.<ref name="fish235" /> Washington ordered [[Edward Hand]]'s Pennsylvania Riflemen and a battalion of German-speaking infantry to block the road that led to Princeton. They attacked the Hessian outpost there.<ref name="fish237" /> Wiederholdt soon realized that this was more than a raiding party; seeing other Hessians retreating from the outpost, he led his men to do the same.<ref>Andreas Wiederholdt (edited by M.D. Learned and C. Grosse): ''Tagebuch des Capt. Wiederholdt Vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780''; The MacMillan Co, New York, ~1862; reprinted by the University of Michigan Library, 17 August 2015</ref> Both Hessian detachments made organized retreats, firing as they fell back.<ref name="fish237" /> On the high ground at the north end of Trenton, they were joined by a duty company from the Lossberg Regiment.<ref name="fish237" /> They engaged the Americans, retreating slowly, keeping up continuous fire and using houses for cover.<ref>Ketchum p. 255</ref> Once in Trenton, they gained covering fire from other Hessian guard companies on the outskirts of the town. Another guard company nearer to the [[Delaware River]] rushed east to their aid, leaving open the River Road into Trenton. Washington ordered the escape route to Princeton be cut off, sending infantry in battle formation to block it, while artillery formed at the head of King and Queen streets.<ref>Ketchum p. 256</ref> Leading the southern American column, General Sullivan entered Trenton by the abandoned river road and blocked the only crossing over the Assunpink Creek to cut off the Hessian escape.<ref name="wood68">Wood p. 68</ref> Sullivan briefly held up his advance to make sure Greene's division had time to drive the Hessians from their outposts in the north.<ref name="wood68" /> Soon after, they continued their advance, attacking the Hermitage, home of [[Philemon Dickinson]], where 50 [[Jäger (military)|Jägers]] under the command of Lieutenant von Grothausen were stationed.<ref name="wood68" /> Lieutenant von Grothausen brought 12 of his Jägers into action against the advanced guard, but had only advanced a few hundred yards when he saw a column of Americans advancing to the Hermitage.<ref name="wood68" /> Pulling back to the Hessian barracks, he was joined by the rest of the Jägers. After the exchange of one volley, they turned and ran, some trying to swim across the creek, while others escaped over the bridge, which had not yet been cut off. The 20 British Dragoons also fled.<ref name="wood68" /> As Greene and Sullivan's columns pushed into the town, Washington moved to high ground north of King and Queens streets to see the action and direct his troops.<ref>McCullough p. 280</ref> By this time, American artillery from the other side of the Delaware River had come into action, devastating the Hessian positions.<ref>Fischer p. 239</ref> With the sounding of the alarm, the three Hessian regiments began to prepare for battle.<ref name="fish240">Fischer p. 240</ref> The Rall regiment formed on lower King Street along with the Lossberg Regiment, while the [[Wilhelm von Knyphausen|Knyphausen Regiment]] formed at the lower end of Queen Street.<ref name="fish240" /> Lieutenant Piel, Rall's brigade adjutant, woke his commander, who found that the rebels had taken the "V" of the main streets of the town. This is where the engineers had recommended building a redoubt. Rall ordered his regiment to form up at the lower end of King Street, the Lossberg regiment to prepare for an advance up Queen Street, and the Knyphausen regiment to stand by as a reserve for Rall's advance up King Street.<ref name="wood68" /> The American cannon stationed at the head of the two main streets soon came into action. In reply, Rall directed his regiment, supported by a few companies of the Lossberg regiment, to clear the guns.<ref name="wood70">Wood p. 70</ref> The Hessians formed ranks and began to advance up the street, but their formations were quickly broken by the American guns and fire from Mercer's men who had taken houses on the left side of the street.<ref name="wood70" /> Breaking ranks, the Hessians fled. Rall ordered two three-pound cannon into action. After getting off six rounds each, within just a few minutes, half of the Hessians manning their guns were killed by the American cannon.<ref name="wood70" /> After the men fled to cover behind houses and fences, their cannons were taken by the Americans.<ref name="wood71">Wood p. 71</ref> Following capture of the cannon, men under the command of [[George Weedon]] advanced down King Street.<ref name="wood68" /> On Queen Street, all Hessian attempts to advance up the street were repulsed by guns under the command of Thomas Forrest. After firing four rounds each, two more Hessian guns were silenced. One of Forrest's Howitzers was put out of action with a broken axle.<ref name="wood68" /> The Knyphausen Regiment became separated from the Lossberg and the Rall regiments. The Lossberg and the Rall fell back to a field outside town, taking heavy losses from [[grapeshot]] and musket fire. In the southern part of the town, Americans under command of Sullivan began to overwhelm the Hessians. [[John Stark]] led a bayonet charge at the Knyphausen regiment, whose resistance broke because their weapons would not fire. Sullivan led a column of men to block off escape of troops across the creek.<ref name="wood71" /> ===Hessian resistance collapses=== The Hessians in the field attempted to reorganize, and make one last attempt to retake the town so they could make a breakout.<ref name="Wood p.72">Wood p. 72</ref> Rall decided to attack the American flank on the heights north of the town.<ref name="fish246">Fischer p. 246</ref> Rall yelled "Forward! Advance! Advance!", and the Hessians began to move, with the brigade's band playing fifes, bugles and drums to help the Hessians' spirit.<ref name="fish246" /><ref>Ketchum p. 262</ref> Washington, still on high ground, saw the Hessians approaching the American flank. He moved his troops to assume battle formation against the enemy.<ref name="fish246" /> The two Hessian regiments began marching toward King Street, but were caught in American fire that came at them from three directions.<ref name="fish246" /> Some Americans had taken up defensive positions inside houses, reducing their exposure. Some civilians joined the fight against the Hessians.<ref name="fish249">Fischer p. 249</ref> Despite this, they continued to push, recapturing their cannon. At the head of King Street, Knox saw the Hessians had retaken the cannon and ordered his troops to take them. Six men ran and, after a brief struggle, seized the cannon, turning them on the Hessians.<ref name="fish247">Fischer p. 247</ref> With most of the Hessians unable to fire their guns, the attack stalled. The Hessians' formations broke, and they began to scatter.<ref name="fish249" /> Rall was mortally wounded.<ref>Fischer p. 248</ref> Washington led his troops down from high ground while yelling, "March on, my brave fellows, after me!"<ref name="fish249" /> Most of the Hessians retreated into an orchard, with the Americans in close pursuit. Quickly surrounded,<ref name="fish251">Fischer p. 251</ref> the Hessians were offered terms of surrender, to which they agreed. Although ordered to join Rall, the remains of the Knyphausen Regiment mistakenly marched in the opposite direction.<ref name="fish251" /> They tried to escape across the bridge, but found it had been taken. The Americans quickly swept in, defeating a Hessian attempt to break through their lines. Surrounded by Sullivan's men, the regiment surrendered, just minutes after the rest of the brigade.<ref name="wood74">Wood p. 74</ref> ===Casualties and capture=== [[File:Henry-revolutionary-war.jpg|thumb|250px|''George Washington at the Battle of Trenton'' engraving by the Illman Brothers in 1870]] The Hessian forces lost 22 killed in action, 83 wounded, and 896 captured{{ndash}}including the wounded.<ref>Fischer p. 254</ref> The Americans suffered only two deaths from bare feet causing frostbite and five wounded from battle, including a near-fatal shoulder wound to future president [[James Monroe]]. Other losses incurred by the Patriots due to exhaustion, exposure, and illness in the following days may have raised their losses above those of the Hessians.<ref name=Fischer255>Fischer p. 255</ref> The captured Hessians were sent to [[Philadelphia]] and later [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]. In 1777 they were moved to Virginia.<ref>Fischer p. 379</ref> Rall was mortally wounded and died later that night at his headquarters.<ref name=Fischer255/> All four Hessian colonels in Trenton were killed in the battle. The Lossberg regiment was effectively removed from the British forces. Parts of the Knyphausen regiment escaped to the south, but Sullivan captured some 200 additional men, along with the regiment's cannon and supplies. They also captured approximately 1,000 arms and much-needed ammunition.<ref>Mitchell p. 43</ref> Last, but not least, was the capture from the Hessians of their entire store of provisions—tons of flour, dried and salted meats, ale and other liquors, but also shoes, boots, clothing and bedding—things that were as much needed by the ragtag Continental forces as weapons and horses. Among those captured by the Patriots was [[Christian Strenge]], later to become a schoolmaster and [[fraktur (folk art)|fraktur]] artist in Pennsylvania.<ref name="selftaughtgenius">{{Cite web|url=http://selftaughtgenius.org/reads/johann-christian-strenge|title=Johann Christian Strenge - Self-Taught Genius|first=|last=Brooklyn United|website=selftaughtgenius.org|accessdate=Apr 6, 2019}}</ref> ===Hessians drinking=== An officer in Washington's staff wrote before the battle, "They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to-night. They will be sleepy to-morrow morning."<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/cu31924086860784/cu31924086860784_djvu.txt Stryker p. 361]</ref> Popular history commonly portrays the Hessians as drunk from Christmas celebrations. However, historian [[David Hackett Fischer]] quotes Patriot John Greenwood, who fought in the battle and supervised Hessians afterward, who wrote, "I am certain not a drop of liquor was drunk during the whole night, nor, as I could see, even a piece of bread eaten."<ref>Fischer p. 426</ref> Military historian [[Edward G. Lengel]] wrote, "The Germans were dazed and tired but there is no truth to the legend claiming that they were helplessly drunk."<ref>Lengel p. 186</ref> ===After effect=== After the Hessians' surrender, Washington is reported to have shaken the hand of a young officer and said, "This is a glorious day for our country."<ref>Ferling p. 178</ref> On December 28. General Washington interviewed Lieutenant (later Colonel) Andreas Wiederhold, who detailed the failures of Rall's preparation.<ref>Andreas Wiederholdt (edited by M.D. Learned and C. Grosse: ''Tagebuch des Capt. Widerholdt Vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780''; The MacMillan Co, New York, ~1862;reprinted by the University of Michigan Library, 17 August 2015</ref> Washington soon learned however that Cadwalader and Ewing had been unable to complete their crossing, leaving his worn-out army of 2,400 men isolated.<ref name="wood75">Wood p. 75</ref> Without their 2,600 men, Washington realized he did not have the forces to attack Princeton and New Brunswick.<ref name="wood75" /> This small but decisive battle, as with the later [[Battle of Cowpens]], had an effect disproportionate to its size. The colonial effort was galvanized, and the Americans overturned the psychological dominance achieved by the British Government troops in the previous months. Howe was stunned that the Patriots so easily surprised and overwhelmed the Hessian garrison.<ref name="wood74" /> Colonial support for the rebellion was also buoyed significantly at this time by writings of [[Thomas Paine]] and additional successful actions by the New Jersey Militia.<ref>Fischer p. 143</ref> ==Aftermath and legacy== [[File:The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton December 26 1776.jpeg|300px|thumb|left|''[[The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776]]'' by [[John Trumbull]]]] By noon, Washington's force had moved across the Delaware back into [[Pennsylvania]], taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them.<ref name="wood75" /> This battle gave the [[Continental Congress]] a new confidence, as it proved colonial forces could defeat regulars. It also increased re-enlistments in the Continental Army forces. By defeating a European army, the colonials reduced the fear which the Hessians had caused earlier that year after the fighting in New York.<ref name="Wood p.72"/> Two notable American officers were wounded: [[William Washington]], cousin of the General, and Lieutenant [[James Monroe]], the future [[President of the United States]]. Monroe was carried from the field bleeding badly after he was struck in the left shoulder by a [[musket]] ball, which severed an artery. Doctor John Riker clamped the artery, preventing him from bleeding to death.<ref name="fish247"/> The hours before the battle served as the inspiration for the painting ''[[Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851 painting)|Washington Crossing the Delaware]]'' by [[German American]] artist [[Emanuel Leutze]]. The image in the painting, in which Washington stands majestic in his boat as it crosses the Delaware River, is generally believed to be more symbolic than historically accurate. The waters of the river were icy and treacherous, and the flag Monroe holds was not created until six months after the battle.<ref name="Crossing">{{cite web |url=http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/history/whatswrong.htm|title=What's wrong with this painting?|accessdate=August 14, 2008 |publisher=Washington Crossing Historic Park }}</ref> In addition, contrary to the painting, the crossing occurred before dawn.<ref name="Crossing" /> On the other hand, Fischer argues that because the crossing took place in a storm, people may have stood to avoid sitting in icy water in the boats.<ref>Fischer p. 216</ref> Because of its emotional content, the painting has become an icon of American history.<ref name="Crossing"/> The [[Trenton Battle Monument]], erected at "Five Points" in Trenton, stands as a tribute to this American victory.<ref>Burt p. 439</ref> The crossing of the Delaware and battle are reenacted by local enthusiasts every year (unless the weather is too severe on the river).<ref name="Crossing"/> Eight current Army National Guard units (101st Eng Bn,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 101st Engineer Battalion</ref> 103rd Eng Bn,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 103rd Engineer Battalion.</ref> A/1-104th Cav,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, Troop A/1st Squadron/104th Cavalry.</ref> 111th Inf,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 111th Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981. pp. 217–219.</ref> 125th QM Co,<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 125th Quartermaster Company. {{cite web |url=http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/News/Pages/125th%20Quartermaster%20Company%20honored%20for%20storied%20lineage%20and%20service%20at%20Lexington%20and%20Concord.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218191827/http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/News/Pages/125th%20Quartermaster%20Company%20honored%20for%20storied%20lineage%20and%20service%20at%20Lexington%20and%20Concord.aspx |archivedate=December 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[175th Infantry Regiment (United States)|175th Inf]],<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 175th Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1982, pp. 343–345.</ref> 181st Inf<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 181st Infantry. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981, pp. 354–355.</ref> and 198th Sig Bn<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 198th Signal Battalion.</ref>) and one currently-active Regular Army Artillery battalion (1–5th FA<ref>Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. [http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/fa/0005fa01bn.htm].</ref> ) are derived from American units that participated in the Battle of Trenton. [[Army National Guard and Active Regular Army Units with Colonial Roots|There are thirty current units of the U.S. Army with colonial roots]]. ==See also== {{Portal|American Revolutionary War}} *[[List of American Revolutionary War battles]] *[[New Jersey during the American Revolution]] *[[Battle of the Assunpink Creek]] - also known as the Second Battle of Trenton, fought one week later *[[Battle of Princeton]] - fought the day after the Battle of the Assunpink Creek *[[Siege of Yorktown|Battle of Yorktown]] *[[Battle of Saratoga]] *[[Battle of Bennington]] ==Footnotes== {{reflist|25em}} ==References== *{{cite book|last=Brooks|first=Victor|title=How America Fought Its Wars |location=New York|publisher=De Capo Press|year=1999|isbn=1-58097-002-8}} *{{cite book|last=Burt|first=Daniel S.|title=The Biography Book|location=New York|publisher=Oryx Press|year=2001|isbn=1-57356-256-4}} *{{cite book|last=Elson|first=William Henry|title=History of the United States of America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bn0QAAAAYAAJ|publisher=Macmillan|year=1908|isbn=}} *{{cite book|last=Ferling|first=John|authorlink=John Ferling|title=Almost a Miracle|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2007|isbn=0-19-518121-2|url=https://archive.org/details/almostmiracleam00ferl}} *{{cite book|last=Fischer|first=David Hackett|authorlink=David Hackett Fischer|title=[[Washington's Crossing (book)|Washington's Crossing]] |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2006|isbn=0-19-517034-2}} *{{cite book|last=Ketchum|first=Richard|title=The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton|publisher=Holt Paperbacks|edition=1st Owl books |year=1999 |isbn=0-8050-6098-7}} *{{cite book |last=Lengel |first=Edward |title=General George Washington |location=New York |publisher=Random House Paperbacks |year=2005 |isbn=0-8129-6950-2 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yHTGAAAACAAJ&dq=General+George+Washington+Lengel}} *{{cite book |last=McCullough |first=David |authorlink=David McCullough |title=1776 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=R1Jk-A4R5AYC&dq=1776+David |location=New York |publisher=Simon and Schuster Paperback |year=2006|isbn=0-7432-2672-0}} *{{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Craig |title=George Washington's New Jersey |publisher=Middle Atlantic Press |year=2003 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7VgXM1w0e80C&dq=George+Washington%27s+New+Jersey |isbn= 0-9705804-1-X}} *{{cite book|last=Rosenfeld|first=Lucy|title=George Washington's New Jersey|publisher=Rutgers|year=2007|isbn=0-8135-3969-2 }} *{{cite book |last=Savas |first=Theodore |title=Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution |publisher=Savas Beatie |year=2003 |isbn=1-932714-12-X |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=bv1YAAAACAAJ&dq=Guide+to+the+Battles+of+the+American+Revolution |author6=Theodore P. Savas}} *{{cite book |title=Infantry Regiments of the US Army |first=James A. |last=Sawicki |publisher=Wyvern Publications |location=[[Dumfries, VA]] |year=1981 |isbn=978-0-9602404-3-2|ref=Sawicki}} *{{cite book |last=Scheer |first=George |title=Rebels and Redcoats |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=1987 |isbn=0-306-80307-0 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ROz4g9_bspAC&dq=Rebels+and+Redcoats|author6=George F. Scheer}} *{{cite book |last=Stanhope |first=Phillip Henry |title=History of England: From the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles |publisher=GB, Murray |year=1854}} *{{cite book |last=Wiederholdt |first=Andreas |title=Tagebuch des Capt. Wiederholdt vom 7 Oktober bis 7 December 1780 |editor= M.D. Learned |editor2= C. Grosse |publisher=The MacMillan Co, New York |origyear=1862 |location=The University of Michigan Library |year=2015 }} *{{cite book |last=Wood |first=W.J. Henry |title=Battles of the Revolutionary War |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2003|isbn=0-306-81329-7 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WnJr_IpqunoC&dq=Battles+Of+The+Revolutionary+War+henry+wood}} *Tucker, Philip Thomas (2014), ''George Washington's Surprise Attack: A New Look at the Battle That Decided the Fate of America'', Skyhorse Publishing ({{ISBN|978-1628736526}}) ==Further reading== * Maloy, Mark. ''Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, December 25, 1776–January 3, 1777''. Emerging Revolutionary War Series. El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie, 2018. {{ISBN|978-1-61121-381-2}}. ==External links== {{Commons category|Battle of Trenton}} *{{cite web|title=The Two Battles of Trenton|url=http://www.trentonhistory.org/His/battles.html|publisher=The Trenton Historical Society}} *{{cite web|title=The Winter Patriots: The Trenton-Princeton Campaign of 1776–1777|url=http://www.mountvernon.org/winterpatriots|publisher=George Washington's Mount Vernon}} {{New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War}} {{George Washington}} {{American Revolutionary War|state=collapsed}} {{Coord|40.217|-74.758|display=title}} {{good article}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Trenton, Battle Of}} [[Category:1776 in the United States]] [[Category:Conflicts in 1776]] [[Category:Battles of the American Revolutionary War]] [[Category:Battles involving Hesse-Kassel]] [[Category:New Jersey in the American Revolution|Battle of Trenton]] [[Category:History of Trenton, New Jersey|Battle of Trenton]] [[Category:1776 in New Jersey]]'