The battles renewed confidence in the leadership of revolutionary general george washington and restored american morale. However, washingtons intent was for his soldiers to cross the delaware on december 25th and get. The battle of trenton was an important event in the american revolutionary war because it inspired beleaguered american soldiers to reenlist and encouraged more men to join the fledgling american military. It was followed up over the next ten days by additional victories at. Washingtons will, more than anything, kept the men going. After months of defeat and retreat for the american army, this victory changed the morale of both the army and the country. 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 british viewed trenton and princeton as minor american victories, but with these victories, the americans believed that they could win the war.
This map shows george washingtons triumph at trenton, new jersey. View or download mount vernons map of the battle of trenton. Having lost new york to the british at the battle of long island in the summer, george washington was desperate to turn things around. After a long march through the snow, washington led his troops across the partially frozen delaware river on. Choose from 7 different sets of trenton battles flashcards on quizlet. On december 23, 1776 thomas paine wrote these are the times that try mens souls. George washington won the battle of trenton in 1776, jackson wanted to serve as a reminder that america was built on a foundation of faith. In the battle of new york the patriots suffered heavy losses.
The battle of trenton was a small but pivotal battle of the american revolutionary war that took place on the morning of 26 december 1776 in trenton, new jersey. The battle of trenton was an imperative success to be had for the entire success of the revolutionary war. George washingtons army was disintegrating after a series of defeats around new york city, and may of his mens enlistments were due to expire at the end of the year. Follow the battle of trenton in 1776, and its significant importance to the revolutionary war and ultimate shaping of the united states of america we know today. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. This battle was won by american general washington over german hessian mercenaries under the command of sir johann rall british. British general william howe had a very large army that was supported by the british. The battle of trenton, new jersey was one of the turning points of the american revolutionary war. The battle of trenton occurred in the second year of the american revolution, 1776, and is widely touted as one of the greatest american victories of the war. The next battle of the american revolutionary war is the battle of princeton. This information shows the prelude to the battle and the battle itself. In only one hour of fighting, the continental army captured nearly nine hundred hessian officers and soldiers as well as a large supply of. Choose from 157 different sets of battle of trenton, 1776 flashcards on quizlet. The battle pitted approximately 2,400 soldiers of the continental army, commanded by george washington, up against about 1,400 hessian soldiers commanded by colonel johann rall.
The battle of trenton was a military conflict between the kingdom of great britain and its thirteen colonies in north america during the american revolutionary war 17751783. On nearing trenton, washington split his force into the two corps to follow two different roads for a converging attack on the british outpost. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather allowed washington to lead the main body of the continental army against hessian soldiers garrisoned at trenton. Despite the large number of hessians that escaped trenton, washington still won a crucial strategic and material victory. The battle of princeton was a battle of the american revolutionary war, fought near princeton, new jersey on january 3, 1777, and ending in a small victory for the colonials. There was a detachment of german troops called hessians who were fighting for the british, in the town of trenton, new jersey.
The battle of trenton was fought during the american revolutionary war and it took place near trenton, new jersey. They won the trenton battle because george washington planned a surprise attack on december 25, 1776. The battle of trenton was fought december 26, 1776, during the american revolution 17751783. The first crossing was the famous one where the army surprised the hessians and won the battle of trenton. The revolutionary battle is commemorated by a 150foot 45metre monument topped by. The first battle nowhere in the annals of warfare, says general william s. After general george washingtons 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. Battle joined creating the united states exhibitions. Battle of trenton on 26th december 1776 in the american revolutionary war. The trenton battle monument commemorates the american victory at the first battle of trenton, nj, which occurred on december 26, 1776. Hessian soldiers are paid german soldiers hired by. Battle of trenton historica wiki fandom powered by wikia. On jan 3, 1777, washington engaged in the battle of princeton, which he also won.
The success of these two battles pretty much recovered new jersey for the colonists. Essay the battle of trenton was an imperative success. As at trenton, the americans took prisoners, arms and supplies but quickly withdrew after winning the battle of princeton. The battle of trenton was won by the american forces. Learn trenton battles with free interactive flashcards. It was here, at the intersection of north broad street, warren street and brunswick, pennington and princeton avenue, that the american artillery. Washington had wanted to advance to new brunswick, but was fortuitously. On april 19, 1775, great britains bloody butchery at concord and lexington opened an eightyear war for political independence and representative republican government in america. Battle of trenton, december 26, 1776 at trenton, new jersey. It has become a central part of george washingtons legacy. After crossing the icy delaware river late on christmas day 1776, washingtons forces struck the hessian garrison in trenton on the morning of december 26. The battle of trenton was a great validation for the colonists that the continental army could really defeat the british and hessians. He chose that date because the hessians would be having fun with their families and would not. Hessian soldiers are paid german soldiers hired by the british government.
The victory at the first battle of trenton turned around the face of the war. In the august before the battle of trenton the americans had suffered a huge defeat at the battle of long island in new york. Stryker, can be found a counterpart of the winter campaign of washington and his army in 177677 that army which left the vicinity of new york a ragged, starved, defeated, demoralized band, which passed through the jerseys and over the river. The revolutionary war battle of trenton took place on the morning of december 26, 1776, in trenton, new jersey. General george washington commanded 2,400 men against a garrison of about 1,500 hessian mercenaries under the command of colonel johann rall.
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. The battle of charleston took place in charleston, south carolina, south of myrtle beach. Many men were killed or wounded and a lot of equipment was destroyed. After this battle the americans felt deflated and were starting to believe that they could potentially not beat the. It is located in an area of the city known as five points. The american revolution for kids and teachers battle of. The year and date that the battle of trenton took place on thursday, december 26, 1776. American historians often consider the battle of princeton a great victory, on par with the battle of trenton, because of the subsequent loss of control of most of new jersey by the crown forces. 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. Danielle, cristee, jared, and brittney slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. General lord cornwallis had left 1,400 british troops under the command of lieutenant colonel charles mawhood in princeton. Despite facing europes greatest military power, americans found, in the words of george washington, that perseverance and spirit could work wonders on the battlefield and in the diplomatic theater. It followed several months of calamity for the patriot cause, after an overwhelming force of british soldiers routed the continental army under general george washington from new york and through new jersey into pennsylvania.
The battle of trenton was a bold attack by the us army on the british. Answer the continental armythe americanspartiots won the battle of trenton. General george washington led 2,400 continental army troops across the delaware river to ambush johann ralls 1,500 hessians at. Njdepparks and forestscentennial of nj state historic site. But simply by creating this inventory of trenton resources may be, in fact, how trenton won. The winter encampment at valley forge, 17771778 emerging revolutionary war series by phillip s. Battles of trenton and princeton 177677, in the american revolution, engagements won by the continental army against hessian and british forces in new jersey. The only thing saving his army was winter and the delaware river. A brief video summarizing the the battle of trenton during the winter of 1776 for an ap united states history course. The battle of trenton took place on december 26, 1776, during the american revolutionary war after general george washingtons crossing of the delaware river north of trenton, new jersey. This battle was not a battle against british troops, but germans, allied with the british. The battle of trenton is remembered as one of the major conflicts of the revolutionary war. The british retired to winter quarters in the hopes that either winter, or. Most of washingtons troops were going to leave soon.
Most of the hessian force was captured, with little loss to the americans. The previous battle of the american revolutionary war is the battle of fort washington. After a brief battle, washington defeated a formidable garrison of hessian mercenaries. Learn battle of trenton, 1776 with free interactive flashcards. David jackson was among the thousands of people who joined franklin graham in trenton, new jersey, on sept.