An august david mccullough carries audience back in time. Yesterday christmas day 1776 washington led you and 2,400 troops in a blinding snowstorm across the icechoked delaware river to launch a surprise attack early this morning against 1,500 hessian mercenaries at trenton, n. This volume focuses on the battle of trenton that took place on december 26, 1776 as a result of washingtons famous delaware river crossing on christmas night. On december 25, 1776, george washington made the decision to cross over the icy delaware river at night, in small boats, to launch a surprise attack. Sep, 2008 the battle of trenton dec 25 1776 old barracks museum, trenton, nj the battle of trenton. In a surprise attack, the continental army led by george washington attacked the winter quarters of a brigade composed primarily of german troops from hessekassel in trenton, new jersey.
The trenton battle monument, erected to commemorate the battle fought in the streets of trenton, new jersey, december 26, 1776 kindle edition by hardpress. General george washington commanded 2,400 men against a garrison of about 1,500 hessian mercenaries under the command of colonel johann rall. Battle of trenton essays on the brilliant surprise attack by the continental army, led by george washington, which resulted in a stunning and psychologically boosting american victory. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Surrender of the hessian troops to general washington. What followed was less of a battle and more of a large skirmish. While not a tideturning engagement militarily, it was along with the engagement at princeton on january 3 a crucial event in the public perception of the revolutionary war. The second battle of trenton and maneuver warfare the american revolutionary war an examination of george washington s employment of the pennsylvania militia at the battles of trenton and princeton revolutionary war.
Map of the battle of valcour island october 11, 1776. Washingtons army, reinforced by militia, crossed the river a second time just. You are private james macfarlane, an infantryman in general george washingtons continental army. George washington, resplendent in uniform, resolute in countenance, gazing steadfastly ahead, the stars and stripes partly unfurled behind him, the boatmen pushing ice cakes away from the rowboat in which he is standing. The battle of trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the american revolutionary war, which took place on the morning of december 26, 1776, in trenton, new. Trenton and princeton 17761777 is an osprey campaign series book and a good one.
So, for the second time in two years, battle was joined outside trenton. While the mere victors may appal or stun the servile and the vain, such names will be a watchword. Battles remembered the first pennsylvania regiment of. Battle of trenton, december 26, 1776 at trenton, new jersey. See complete battle movements during the battle of brandywine and the battle. A decisive victory for the continental army, trenton boosted morale and spurred enlistment throughout the colonies. This christmas, with america at its most divided, its time to. The first battle nowhere in the annals of warfare, says general william s.
The battles of trenton and princeton, december 25, 1776. The battle of trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the american revolutionary war which took place on the morning of december 26, 1776, in trenton. The town of trenton sat at one side of the table the southern end, while to the north was a low wooded hill where the hessians and british were formed up. Washingtons vision for victory unfolds, covers the victories from late december 1776 to early january 1777 at the battles of trenton and princeton. George washingtons army reached the new jersey shore at 3. In a daring surprise attack, washington crossed the delaware river on christmas, and surprised german mercenaries garrisoning trenton. Aug 15, 2005 an august david mccullough carries audience back in time. Battle of second trenton home preservation maps map. Battle of trenton essays on the surprise attack by the. Sketch of the engagement at trenton, given on the 26th of december 1776 betwixt the american. The historic sites in trenton nj include the trenton battle monument, st marys church. The battles of trenton and princeton are among my favourites of the revolutionary war and i have read most books on the subject, including a recent one published just last year and a book on the battle of princeton written in the 1960s. At about eight oclock on the morning of december 26, 1776, american troops surprised a hessian picket guard, stationed in houses along the pennington road about a half mile outside trenton.
Alexander hamilton at the battle of trenton, december 26. The hessian brigade was under the command of colonel johann rall. Explore free books, like the victory garden, and more browse now. Not so leonidas and washington, their every battlefield is holy ground which breathes of nations saved, not worlds undone. Jan 12, 2016 on the 25th of december, 1776, they passed the delaware in front of the army, in the dusk of the evening, at mckonkeys ferry, 10 miles above trenton, and hastened to a point, about one and onehalf miles from it, at which the road by which they descended intersected that which led from trenton to princeton, for the purpose, in obedience of. George washingtons famous crossing of the delaware river was the first of a series of surprise attacks which brought the continental army to victory at trenton. In a daring surprise attack, washington crossed the delaware river on christmas, and surprised german mercenaries garrisoning trenton, new jersey in support of the british.
Revolutionary war battle map washingtons victory at the. A new historic manual concerning the three battles at trenton and princeton, new jersey, during the war for american independence, in 1776 and 1777 by haven, c. December 26th commander colonel johann rall and his hessian garrison of 1,500 men, arrived in trenton, nj. Alexander hamilton at the battle of trenton, december 26, 1776 december 26, 2017 most american college students today spend the day after christmas doing not much of anything. Commemorating the first battle of trenton december 26, 1776. Often cited as the turning point in the american revolution, the battles of trenton and princeton were foremost the first victories by george washingtons demoralized. Shortly after eight oclock on the morning of december 26, 1776, the continental army started. If an image is displaying, you can download it yourself.
It was a battle between future president general george washington and colonel rall. There was a detachment of german troops called hessians who were fighting for the british, in the town of trenton, new jersey. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. For such an important event, theres little in new jersey that honors the battle. The forgotten battle that saved washingtons winter campaign of 1776. Battle of trenton, 26 december 1776 one of the most significant battles during the american war of independence. The battle of trenton the history carperthe history carper. Map of the battle of harlem heights september 16, 1776.
An officer left, hardly better dressed than his men, tries to keep order, while the wounded german commander, gottlieb rall is t. If the monument is open today, please be sure to take a trip to the platform on top for a great view of the city of trenton. Washingtons delaware crossing history of the battle of trenton. The second battle of trenton, 1776 orkney wargames. The second battle of trenton and maneuver warfare the american revolutionary war the battle of trenton the atlas of famous battles of the american revolution only 1 left in stock order soon.
Battle of second trenton after the stunning victory over the hessians on december 26, 1776, gen. There was a detachment of german troops called hessians who were fighting for the british, in the town of trenton. Map of the battles of trenton and princeton 1776 7. Near trenton, new jersey christmas week, 1776 george washington and his beleaguered continental army are spending a grim holiday season on the road. The subject of this paper is going to be the battle of trenton and the affect it had on the american revolution.
The text closely mirrors the original book, but omits or summarizes some parts deemed too long. This battle monument is useful in that it will show you where the battle happened. Washingtons vision for victory unfolds, covers the victories from late december 1776 to early january. On december 27, 1776, general george washington ordered colonel mark bir 17391812 to take charge of the captured hessian forces taken at the battle of trenton. Learn more about washingtons victory at the battle of trenton. A new historic manual concerning the three battles at trenton. Surrender of the hessian troops to general washington, after the battle of trenton. The battle of trenton dec 25 1776 old barracks museum. The book on the pivotal moment in the war of independence far better than 1776 or washingtons crossing at showing how the revolution hung by a thread before trenton. Martin mcphillips presents the events in the revolutionary war leading up to the battle of trenton and describes that clash and its aftermath.
The crossing and battle at trenton 1776 by kevin wright. Battle of trenton, 26 december 1776 the history reader a. The battles for trenton and princeton 1st owl books ed. Outside the house though, general washington and 2,400 rebels were on the march through the snow, and heading for trenton. The battles of trenton and princeton, december 25, 1776 january 3, 1777 emerging revolutionary war series 97816112812. I have also read the famed washingtons crossing by david fischer. Mar 10, 2020 the battle of trenton was was fought on christmas 1776.
The battle of trenton took place on december 26, 1776, after british forces captured new york city and george washingtons patriot army retreated to pennsylvania. George washington recrossed the delaware and took up a strong defensive position along the assunpink creek next to the town of trenton, new jersey. The capture of the hessians at trenton, december 26, 1776. The battle of trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the american revolutionary war, which took place on the morning of december 26, 1776, in trenton, new jersey. Dec 23, 2016 in this video, we rundown george washingtons crossing of the delaware during the american revolution and the battle of trenton. Apr 15, 2018 the battle of trenton was fought december 26, 1776, during the american revolution 17751783. The captured hessians were marched to philadelphia and paraded through the streets of philadelphia to raise american morale. Author david bonk provides an exciting narrative of washingtons daring crossing of the delaware for a christmas night attack on a hessian garrison at trenton. Lc maps of north america, 17501789, 1267 available also through the library of congress web site as a raster. The capture of the hessians at trenton, december 26, 1776 is the title of an oil painting by the american artist john trumbull depicting the capture of the hessian soldiers at the battle of trenton on the morning of thursday, december 26, 1776. In the real attack the 1,500 strong hessian garrison in trenton was largely caught by surprise, having celebrated heavily on christmas day. Washingtons crossing of the delaware river battle of trenton.
Battle of second trenton george washingtons mount vernon. On december 23, 1776 thomas paine wrote these are the times that try mens souls. The revolutionary war battle of trenton took place on the morning of december 26, 1776, in trenton, new jersey. During the american revolution 1, following general george washington 2s evacuation of new jersey 3, the british general william howe established two unsupported cantonments of 1,500 hessians each, at bordentown and trenton. Battle of trenton, dec 1776 the battle of trenton took place on the morning of during the finding the strength to go on. This battle proved to be significant for many reasons.
The battle was fought between the americans against the hessians and british troops after the americans lost the battle in new york and were forced to retreat through new jersey. The battle of trenton was fought on december 26, 1776, during the american revolutionary war campaign for new jersey. After general george washington s crossing of the delaware river north of trenton the previous night, washington led the main body of the continental army against hessian auxiliaries garrisoned at trenton. George washington had effectively retreated across the delaware river and deployed his tiny army of 4,300 men from coryells ferry in the north to the ferry near bordentown, nj in the center, and down to the area near bristol, pa in the south. Elliss american history washingtons advance upon trenton polychromatic 1899 see more. Trenton new jersey revolutionary war sites trenton historic sites. The battle of trenton was a bold attack by the us army on the british. Map of the original plan for the british invasion of new york june. Recrossing the delaware on christmas night, 1776, washingtons army surprised the hessian garrison at trenton and managed to kill, wound or capture 1,000.
After a brief battle, washington defeated a formidable garrison of hessian mercenaries. Since august 1776, british forces under general william howe had been driving the continental army south out of new york. In this picture you can see the ragged troops in only a semblance of military order, advancing down what is probably queen street broad. American forces surprised german mercenary forces known as hessians because they originated in the german state of hesse and after defeating them, captured almost everyone with very few losses. Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through library of congress duplication services. Trenton december 26, 1776 american battlefield trust. The illustrated edition comes with its own protective slipcase, decorated with. In order to preserve the plaques, the originals have been removed to the new jersey sate museum and reproductions have been put in their place. Most of the hessian force was captured, with little. In the trenton historical society book, a history of trenton, 16791929. Image is taken from the book american battles and campaigns. After general george washington s crossing of the delaware river north of trenton the previous night, washington led the main body of the continental army against hessian. For political and social developments, including the origin and aftermath of the war, see ameri. After the battle of harlem heights, it was december 7 1776.
After being driven out of new york by the british and forced to retreat to the west bank of the delaware during the late summer of 1776, the american cause was at a low ebb. Battle of trenton timeline by garrett urhammer on prezi. Presents the events in the revolutionary war leading up to the battle of trenton and describes that clash and its aftermath. Order of battle of the battle of trenton wikipedia. I was a hessian grenadier at the battle of trenton. Some images display only as thumbnails outside the library of congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on site. Shop trenton battle of trenton n j 1776 books at alibris. General george washingtons army crossed the icy delaware on christmas day 1776 and, over the course of the next 10 days, won two crucial. First battle of trenton trenton historical society.
892 511 143 541 1265 917 1401 1632 238 1573 1182 730 272 716 1028 1261 453 134 1111 1110 1642 1085 1659 285 3 804 1140 269 788 125 1556 380 1127 788 720 821 848 1121 479 880 74 326 837 213 662 1070