Late in December, 1776,
Washington's army, by much exertion, had increased to nearly 6,000 men.
Lee's division, under
Sullivan, and some regiments from
Ticonderoga under
Gates, joined him on the 21st.
Contrary to
Washington's expectations, the
British, content with having overrun the Jerseys, made no attempt to pass the
Delaware, but established themselves in a line of cantonments at
Trenton,
Pennington,
Bordentown, and
Burlington.
Other corps were quartered in the rear, at
Princeton, New Brunswick, and
Elizabethtown; and so sure was
Howe that the back of the “rebellion” was broken that he gave Cornwallis leave to return to
England, and he was preparing to sail when an unexpected event detained him.
Washington knew that about 1,500 of the enemy, chiefly Hessians (Germans), were stationed at
Trenton under
Colonel Rall, who, in his consciousness of security and contempt for the
Americans, had said, “What need of intrenchments?
Let the rebels come; we will at them with the bayonet.”
He had made the fatal mistake of not planting a single cannon.
Washington felt
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strong enough to attack this force, and at twilight on Christmas night he had about 2,000 men on the shore of the
Delaware at
McConkey's Ferry (afterwards
Taylorsville), a few miles above
Trenton, preparing to cross the river.
He rightly believed that the Germans, after the usual carouse of the Christmas festival, would be peculiarly exposed to a surprise, and he prepared to fall upon them before daylight on the morning of the 26th.
With him were
Generals Stirling,
Greene,
Sullivan,
Mercer,
Stephen, and
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Map of the battle of Trenton. |
Knox, commanding the artillery.
Arrangements were made for a similar movement against the cantonments below
Trenton, the command of which was assigned to
General Gates; but that officer, jealous of
Washington, and in imitation of
General Lee, with wilful disobedience refused the duty, and turning his back on
Washington, rode on towards
Baltimore to intrigue among Congressmen against
Gen. Philip Schuyler (q. v.). Ice was forming in the
Delaware, and its surface was covered with floating pieces.
The current was swift, the night was dark, and towards midnight a storm of snow and sleet set in. It was 4 A. M. before the troops in marching order stood on the
New Jersey shore, boats having been hurriedly provided for their passage.
The army moved in two columns—one, led by
Sullivan, along a road nearest the river; the other, led by
Washington and accompanied by the other generals, along a road a little distance to the left.
It was broad daylight when they reached
Trenton, but they were
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undiscovered until they reached the picket-line on the outskirts of the village.
The firing that ensued awakened
Rall and his fellowofficers (who had scarcely recovered from the night's debauch) from their deep slumbers.
The colonel was soon at the head of his men in battle order.
A sharp conflict ensued in the village, lasting only thirty-five minutes. The
Germans were defeated and dispersed, and
Colonel Rall was mortally wounded, and taken to his quarters, where he died.
The main body, attempting to escape by the
Princeton road, were intercepted by
Colonel Hand and made prisoners.
Some British lighthorse and infantry at
Trenton escaped to
Bordentown.
The victory was complete.
The spoils were about 1,000 prisoners, 1,200 small-arms, six brass field-pieces, and all the German standards.
The triumphant army recrossed the
Delaware with their prisoners (who were sent to
Philadelphia), and went back to their
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Rall's headquarters. |
encampment.
This bold stroke puzzled and annoyed the
British.
Cornwallis did not sail for
England, but was sent back into
New Jersey.
The Tories were alarmed, and the dread of the mercenary
Germans was dissipated.
The faltering militia soon began to flock to the standard of
Washington, and many of the soldiers who were about to leave the
American army re-enlisted.
