Battle of Trenton, After the loss of the
Washington and Lee forts guarding the Hudson river. General George Washington
decided to abandone New York in November 1776. His force crossed the
delaware into Pennsylvania on December 11th. He postioned his army
along the Delaware to protect the Capital of Philadelphia, while the Congress
moved to Baltimore. Washington's arm,y had been followed by
the British lead by General Lord Cornwallis across new Jersey but when
Washington had crossed the Delaware. the British Commander General Sir
Willaim Howe ordered his troops back to quarters for the winter.
Washington seized the upper hand by
ordering a counter attack. On the Night of the 25th December Washington
lead a force of 2,400 men back across the Delaware which was now covered
with broken Ice. and landed near Trenton. the following morning attacked
the Garrison manned by 1400 Hessian troops. During Street fighting
the German Commander Colonel Johann Rall was mortally wounded and another
29 Hessian troops were killed. with 918 taken prisoner. The American
losses were very light with only 5 casualties. Washington occupied
Trenton.
