Battle of Princeton

A detailed Summary of Battle of Princeton

The Battles of Trenton and Princeton

In the fall of 1776, Washington and his men were camping out in New York City after the defeat they suffered in Long Island. The soldiers shivered around the campfires night after night without shoes, blankets, or winter uniforms. Washington knew that being surrounded by water left him and his 19,000 troops extremely vulnerable to the British with their naval mobility and larger forces.

On November 21, 1776 Washington moved his troops south joining the troops from Fort Lee. He then continued the journey into Newark, New Jersey and waited there for a militia to rally, but few showed up. The next leg of this journey would take them to New Brunswick, leaving on the 28th, just as the British were arriving in Newark. Then on December 1st, the British forces moved to New Brunswick and Washington repositioned his men to Princeton. On their way to Princeton, Washington had his men destroy all bridges and cut down trees behind them to delay the British who were in pursuit of the American army.

Once they had reached Princeton, the Americans fell back to Trenton along the Delaware River, which is the border with Pennsylvania. Then on December 2nd, two thousand Pennsylvania militiamen joi

Still everything was not going in favor for the British. The New Jersey men, decided not to join Washington on his quest did not appreciate the British and Hessians troops destroying their land. This angered many of the American colonists. Ambushes of British patrols had become regular event. The people of Morris County decided to not let this slide and instead formed several militia units with some Continental troops, and more troops that were around Paramus in the Northeast.

The situation was beginning to feel desperate at the American camp. On December 22nd, 1776, Washington had 4,707 men ready to battle. Washington had a staff meeting and decided to attack. The plan he proposed was very involved and needed to be have executed perfectly. He was aware that the Hessians in Trenton were in a vulnerable position because it was known that they would be up all night celebrating Christmas on the night of December 25th. Washington decided on a predawn attack on the 26th, while the troops and officers were tired and sluggish.

Washington and his men ferried across the river at 3 A.M. Two of the other ferries that departed never made it across due to the harsh winter storm, leaving Washington with only 2400 men, their horses and 18 cannon across the icy river. Washington's troops did not get across until 4 am, well behind schedule for a predawn attack. They marched nine miles south to Trenton in two columns, one column lead by General John Sullivan and the other lead by General Nathanael Greene with Washington in control.

Then on January 3, 1777 Washington approached and destroyed General Charles Cornwallis' rear guard. Washington then leads them towards the British and positions them about 30 yards from the British lines when he orders his me to fire. Both sides fire at each other. Washington ordered his men to charge and the British troops retreated.

Aside from the physical benefits, such as supplies, what these battles did for the American people could not have been bought or purchased. Only with hard work and determination were American people able to say that they were proud and confident. Without this remarkable turnaround the American army might never survived. With these

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Approximate Word count = 1493
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History