ipl-logo

Battle Of Trenton Essay

1799 Words8 Pages

25 December 1776, a cold and dark night. Rows of ragged men with torn clothing, no shoes, and rusty rifles begin to form. At the head of the Soldiers is General George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army. In opposition to the British Rule, the newly formed Continental Army was desperate for a victory to keep the Army intact. After losing to the British in New York, NY, the morale was at an all time low within the Army. Soldiers were rendering absent without leave by the day. Others were nearing the end of their enlistments. General Washington had two options, he could move the Army to quarters for the winter and attempt to rebuild or attempt a massive attack with his remaining forces. While it was customary during this time …show more content…

An attempt at an attack would be extremely risky. Embarking in another attack so soon after the detrimental loss in New York had two possible outcomes; a win, resulting in increased morale and support for the Continental Army, or another loss, most likely resulting in a consummation of any support remaining for the Continental Army. He chose option two and assembled his men that cold December night to prepare for a stealthy attack on the town of Trenton, NJ. Washington was successful in his endeavor, regaining the trust of the Colonists and eventually rebuilding the Army. If not for the tactical expertise and a slew of unprecedented events leading up to the Battle of Trenton the Continental Army would not have proclaimed success in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, causing the Army to dissolve, awarding victory to the British, balking the formation of the United …show more content…

As Washington and his men moved toward Trenton, they approached a Hessian outpost. Hessian Commander, Lieutenant Andreas Wiederholdt stepped outside, quickly spotting the Continental Soldiers. “The Enemy!” (Pavao, Pavao, and Pavao 2010) exclaimed the commander causing his Soldiers to run toward the fight but they quickly realized they were outnumbered. The Hessian Lieutenant ordered his men to retreat. As Soldiers from the outpost fell back into Trenton, the Hessian Soldiers utilized houses for cover and attempted to assemble with other Hessian forces. However, Continental Soldiers surrounded them. The Continental Soldiers successfully out gunned the Hessians and mortally shot Colonel Rall, the Colonel’s Soldiers surrendered shortly after. Continental Forces, disallowing their escape, covered each route the Hessians attempted to take in retreat. The Continental Army captured approximately 1000 Hessian Soldiers and neutralized all four Hessian Colonels stationed in Trenton. The battle concluded by 0900 hours on 26 December

Show More
Related
135 Words | 1 Pages

On the twelfth month,, Washington marched his exhausted, beaten, starving and sick army to valley forge, a place about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, which was occupied by the british. From Valley Forge, Washington could look over General Howe's British army staying in Philadelphia. At Valley Forge, there were shortages of supplies. This was everything from food to clothing to medication. Washington's soldiers were sick from disease, hunger, and exposure.

Read More
1042 Words | 5 Pages

As dawn approached, he and his army would attack Trenton with all the force that they had at the time. The author stated that Washington had thought the battle was already lost because they would lose the element of surprise as the weather slowed them down which was pushing them into the daylight. According to Fischer, Washington and his army arrived to Trenton at around seven-thirty in the morning. They succeeded in using the element of surprise and the weather helped the colonial army and they took Trenton.

Read More
853 Words | 4 Pages

In all, Washington and his army went back to the winter headquarters so they could survive the winter and be safe from all of the potential british attacks that your never know could happen. Trenton once again was known as a Trick play because the british never knew this attack would ever happen as well as losing the war which made the British feel very

Read More
1248 Words | 5 Pages

The troops helped build barriers and fences around the town and reinforced them on the north and south borders. They also staged four guard posts north of Trenton, one for each side of the two roads. They also set up pathways through the woods so that runners could easily get from the guard posts to the town, to inform them of any intruders on their way. As a result General Washington met much resistance as he and his Soldiers tried to advance on Trenton. His men that tried to cross the river at Trenton Ferry never made it, so if the Hessians had to retreat, they had a route to travel.

Read More
657 Words | 3 Pages

Despite the large number of Hessians that escaped Trenton, Washington still won a crucial strategic and material victory. In only one hour of fighting, the Continental Army captured nearly nine hundred Hessian officers and soldiers as well as a large supply of muskets, bayonets, swords, and cannons. When the Continental Army returned to camp on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, soldiers were exhausted. They had marched and fought for two straight days through rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Washington knew that his army had far exceeded expectations at Trenton and that they faced many more challenges going

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

In the winter, Washington took his troops to Valley Forge, which was 18 miles from Philadelphia. At this time, Valley Forge was a difficult place to live for the Patriots. It was a struggle but if I were a Patriot in Valley Forge fighting for Washington’s Army, I wouldn’t quit. I won’t quit for three big reasons; yes I know there were a lot of sick soldiers but not as much as dying soldiers, another thing is the conditions were horrible, but there were many brave soldiers who stuck with it, and stayed with Washington, lastly I do not want to be a “summer soldier” because freedom is valuable so it is worth fighting for.

Read More
346 Words | 2 Pages

The battle of Trenton and Princeton General George Washington's army went crossed the icy Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 and,over the course of the next 10 days,won two important battles of the American Revolution. In the battle of Trenton (December 26),Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessians mercenaries before withdrawing. One week later he returned to Trenton to lure British forces south ,then executed a daring night march to capture Princeton on January. The victories reasserted American control of much of New Jersey and greatly improve the morale and unity of the colonial army and militias.

Read More
811 Words | 4 Pages

But, on Christmas day, Washington decides to go out with his troops crossing the Delaware River, sneaking into Trenton, New Jersey. Finally, his troops successfully overpower the British and gain them another victory after launching a surprise attack outside of Princeton, New

Read More
621 Words | 3 Pages

The great victory of The Battle of Trenton strengthened the public's hope. Kennedy Hickman also said Howe was shocked by the American victory, so he commanded Cornwallis to move forward to Washington. This time with 8,000 soldiers. Once again Washington crossed the Delaware river on December 30,1776. George Washington united his command and prepared to face the British.

Read More
1247 Words | 5 Pages

Cornwallis, on the other hand, had all his artillery grouped in the center of his line with his extremely aggressive and experienced cavalry in reserve. When the British attacked, they struck with their right flank against the Colonial left. The militiamen on that side, seeing a well-disciplined, aggressive force coming toward them, threw down their arms and retreated without firing a shot. Seeing this, the panic spread to the Virginian militia and then to the North Carolina militia.

Read More
792 Words | 4 Pages

This battle took place after a demoralizing defeat at Long island. George Washington was forced to retreat all the way across New Jersey back in Pennsylvania. Due to the cold and harsh winter and the defeats in the previous wars, the Continental Army was one the verge of abandoning the rebellion act. Therefore George Washington needed to find something to build up the spirit in his troops. As such he then decides to cross back over the Delaware River and attack the Hessians (German hired troops) at Trenton, New Jersey.

Read More
960 Words | 4 Pages

George Washington had plans to attack the British in Incipient York, but the British were able to maintain it as their base until

Read More
831 Words | 4 Pages

There were farms and small stores in the area, but there was not enough food to feed all of the soldiers and many became desperate and attempted to steal food from the farmers and food stores. Washington ended up writing to Congress, saying subsistence in the best manner they can ... “I am now convinced, beyond a doubt that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place… this army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain …” After letting Congress know this, General Washington received a message saying a large British group of troops was nearby (Allen 27).

Read More
291 Words | 2 Pages

After a brief battle,nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, a number of losses due to the Americans. The battle pitted approximately 2,400 soldiers of the Continental Army,commanded by my authority, up against about 1,400 Hessian soldiers commanded by Colonel Johann Rall.

Read More
483 Words | 2 Pages

The soldiers were inadequately trained and lacked ammunition, food, and other provisions. They sometimes even went without clothing and went barefoot in the winter. However, General Washington was able to give them direction and encourage them to persevere. The common soldier would prove important.

Read More

More about Battle Of Trenton Essay

Related Topics

Open Document