The Battles of Trenton
~ A very brief Overview ~

December 1776 ~ Washington and his troops cross the Delaware River from Trenton to Bucks County, taking with them anything that might help the British in their pursuit.  Following the manner in which war was fought at the time, each army went into winter quarters, the Americans in Pennsylvania and the British in New York and New Jersey.  The British presence in Trenton is led by Colonel Johann Rall.

December 25, 1776 ~ Washington begins to cross the Delaware in the early afternoon.  Ice in the river makes passage nearly impossible.  It is not until midnight that all of the army, including artillery, horses, and supplies, have crossed.  In two groups--one along the Pennington Road and one along the river--the rebel forces march south.

December 26, 1776 ~ Weary from a night spent responding to volleys from across the river in Morrisville, the Hessians soldiers sleep as General Washington sets his artillery at the northern entrance to Trenton.  From this vantage cannons can be fired down both King and Queen (today's Warren and Broad) Streets.  General Sullivan and his men fill the orchard behind the town's barracks.  As Sullivan begins shooting into the barracks building, Washington directs the cannon to open fire on King Street.

Within three hours the battle is over.  Confusion reigns amongst the Hessian men.  So total is Washington's surprise attack that the Hessian leaders cannot organize their men into cohesive action.  Attempts are made to rally to the northeast and to the south.  Over 900 Hessian soldiers are captured; another 150 die from their wounds, including the commander, Colonel Rall.  Washington and his men, along with their prisoners, return to their Pennsylvania quarters.


January 2, 1776 ~ Returning to Trenton on his way to capture a British supply of gold in New Brunswick, Washington sends an advance party northward.  These men soon find themselves in front of 10,000 British troops headed for Trenton.  Led by General Lord Cornwallis, the British are determined to teach Washington a lesson.

Throughout the better part of the day the scouts are able to delay Cornwallis's entry into Trenton.  The Americans are forced over the Assunpink Creek.  Once again they have a strategic advantage--this time higher ground allows them to prevent the British from following over the creek.  Three times Cornwallis orders his men to take the bridge before them.   Three times they are shot down and must retreat.  As darkness falls, the two armies set up camp.  Washington and his advisors meet at the home of Alexander Douglass.   Cornwallis leaves his men along the bank of Assunpink while he personally moves to the rear of the British camp, some two or more miles from the creek.

What to do?  Come the morning Washington is faced with 10,000 British in front of him or the Delaware River at his back.   Sheer numbers are against him.  Almost certainly, this is the end of the American attempt to establish their own sovereignty.  Trentonian Philemon Dickinson suggests escape via the Sandtown Road.  No longer used, the road will take the rebels around the British and allow them to continue north.  Washington orders that the bulk of the army prepare for departure--wrapping wagon wheels and horses hooves in rags to muffle noise--while a small group tends campfires, dig trenches, and generally make as much noise and activity as the larger group.

The "Sly Fox"and his soldiers slip away.  At dawn, the remaining men follow.   Imagine the sight that greeted the British Army--nothing. 

To learn the whole story, come join the Celebration!

Home     Schedule      Overview     Map      18th c. Sites     Amenities      Re-enactors      Directions