25 December 1776 A.D. CHRISTMAS DAY AT TRENTON, NJ: GEN Washington & 5400 Troops Cross
Delaware River
1776 – During the American
Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with
5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their
winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came
after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had
resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.
At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the
half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington
successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side
of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some
3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the
appointed time. At approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of December 26,
Washington’s remaining force, separated into two columns, reached the outskirts
of Trenton and descended on the unsuspecting Hessians. Trenton’s 1,400 Hessian
defenders were groggy from the previous evening’s festivities and
underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British victories
throughout New York. Washington’s men quickly overwhelmed the Germans’
defenses, and by 9:30 a.m. the town was surrounded. Although several hundred
Hessians escaped, nearly 1,000 were captured at the cost of only four American
lives. However, because most of Washington’s army had failed to cross the
Delaware, he was without adequate artillery or men and was forced to withdraw
from the town. The victory was not particularly significant from a strategic
point of view, but news of Washington’s initiative raised the spirits of the
American colonists, who previously feared that the Continental Army was
incapable of victory.
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