Battle of Trenton

The Bataille of Trenton was held the December 26th 1776, at the time of the Guerre of independence of the United States of America after the famous crossing of the Delaware by Washington. The general George Washington led the continental Armée through the river to surprise and eliminate the German garrison mercenary from the British with Trenton (New Jersey). This crushing victory made it possible to spare the continental army and to put it in good posture for the Bataille of Princeton which took place the following week.

Context

Trenton was occupied by three regiments of 1400 soldiers hessiens, ordered by colonel Johann Rall. The army of George Washington, who counted approximately 2400 men, attacked on two columns: that of the general major Nathanael Greene coming from north and that of general major John Sullivan coming from the west. The third division was to attack by the south, but because of time, she never managed to cross the river.

It was often said that Hessiens which had just celebrated Christmas were too drunk to be suitably prepared with the battle, but this idea is false. If the Americans gained the battle of Trenton, it is thanks to a spy named John Honeyman who succeeds in collecting information and to mislead the unfavourable forces on the state of the American troops. The crossing of Delaware took place at the time of a storm and surprised Hessiens.

Battle

The crossing of Delaware was delayed by a snowstorm the Christmas Day: finally, the American troops were other side on December 26th at 3 o'clock in the morning and the confrontations began at 8 a.m. The battle lasted only one hour. Hessiens lost 23 men and 913 were captured; the American losses were as for them very reduced: two officers were wounded, the cousin of George Washington and James Monroe, the future President of the United States. The four colonels hessiens all were killed in the battle.

Consequences

About midday, the American troops had again crossed Delaware and were turned over to Pennsylvania with the prisoners. This success gave again confidence with the continental Congress because it showed that the Americans were able to demolish regular troops. Following this battle, many men engaged in the army. The defeat of Staten Island seemed unobtrusive.

John Trumbull immortalisa the crossing of Delaware in a famous table. However, this fabric raises more of the symbol historical truth: the river is not cold and dangerous; the flag which James Monroe holds was created only six months after the events. The crossing took place before the paddle.

Second battle of Trenton

However, after the American victory, George Washington expected a counter-offensive of the British armies. It decided to take the initiative, recrossed Delaware the December 30th 1776 in order to meet the enemies with Trenton again. The battle took place the January 2nd 1777 against the armies of the general Cornwallis. The army of Washington succeeds in making move back the British; the confrontation was to continue with the Bataille of Princeton.

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