173 Battle Of Trenton Facts To Learn About The American War

The Battle of Trenton was a small battle near the Delaware River fought by the continental army in New Jersey.Though it was small, it was very much a revolutionary battle. It significantly impacted the American Continental Army in a series of revolutionary wars.It was fought on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton is the capital state of New Jersey. The Hessian army had control over the area. Under the command of the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, the army fought the Hessians. The army was 2,400 soldiers, 3,000 less than originally planned. But, due to the intelligent tactics of George Washington, they were able to defeat the enemies.If you like this article, be sure to check out some of our other facts articles: 1st Battle Of The Revolutionary War and Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill?Fun Facts About The Battle Of TrentonThe Battle of Trenton was fought in 1776.Two-thirds of the Hessian forces were captured in New Jersey by the Continental Army. Though the enemy Hessian forces were large in number, the American forces experienced negligible losses. The troops marched on the night of December 25 through the southern bank at Trenton through the Delaware River, New Jersey. There was a second battle of Trenton in 1776. Defeating the British troops which were under the British Commander, Lord Charles Cornwallis, the American forces, under George Washington, repulsed the British Army posted in New Jersey. The forces were divided into two groups. One was commanded by Major General Nathaniel Greene and another by Major General John Sullivan. These two columns, which were split by George Washington, attacked in different directions. Major General John Sullivan attacked from the west, and Major General Nathaniel Green attacked from the north. This forced the army back to the south. The British Colonel Johann Rall is taken by surprise, as the American army outnumbered the British garrison. Many Hessians are captured after the battle. Only a few Hessian army people managed to escape. The British Colonel Johann Rall was very badly wounded. He died in the Battle of Trenton. Before dying, he formally surrendered to George Washington.There are many paintings depicting this historical event. Three of them are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Artist Emanuel Leutze, who is a German-American, painted the second of three paintings of the Battle of Trenton. His painting depicted George Washington crossing the Delaware River with his troops. He painted it in the year 1851. It caused a sensation in the United States and Europe when it was first exhibited. The ‘New York Mirror’ appreciated the painting when it was shipped from Germany to New York City. It was said to be the most effective, grandest and most majestic painting ever to be exhibited in America. At the Metropolitan, it is still one of the most recognizable paintings; in the American wing, it is the central piece of the collection.Many British troops refused to participate in the American war. They thought it was a war between the underprivileged British and the rich British people. They had a lot of sympathy towards American colonists. Hence during the American Revolutionary War, there were only a few troops which were of British descent. To describe the troops they used from Germany, men from Hesse-Kassel were called Hessians. They borrowed the German troops and fought the American Revolutionary War. The German troops were well behaved and well-disciplined, more so than the British troops. They helped a great deal in acquiring America from under British rule. Once the American war ended, the Hessian Germans settled in America.Historical Facts About The Battle Of TrentonThe American Revolutionary War was essentially fought to capture land from British forces and other European forces.The American Revolution started in the 17th century. The American forces were starting to lose hope. The troops experienced losses in New York and Pennsylvania. Many people were beginning to feel hesitant in joining the American Army. There was endless fighting with other foreign troops. The American troops lost at Forts Washington and Lee in November, and Battle of the White Plains a month before in October. The army force was retreated by the British, and the army crossed New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The troops were in a very bad state. Many had no clothes and no shoes. The army enlistments were about to get expired. The troops had to take refuge at the banks of river Delaware. The winter weather was extremely harsh, and possibly the only thing that kept the British forces away from the troops. On the night of Christmas, a daring step was taken by the Commander. His army crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessian garrison station at Trenton. General George Washington, after battling a monstrous storm, fought Hessian mercenaries stationed at Trenton. This American victory paved the path to future victories.The Battle of Trenton was fought in the middle of the Battle of the Fort, Washington, and the Battle of Princeton. The American troops outweighed that of the Hessian and British forces. There were 1,400 Hessians with their 6 light guns against 2,400 Americans with 18 light guns. During the fight, the 16th light dragoons, British troops, left the war midway. Red coats and leather crested helmets were worn by 16th and 17th light dragoons of the British regiment. The Prussian-style grenadier miter cap with brass front plate and blue coats were worn by the Hessian forces. The American forces did not have any decent clothing to wear. They wore rough clothes in the middle of winter. Canon, muskets, and bayonets were the choices of weapons for both sides. Long, small caliber, rifled weapons were used by the regiments of Pennsylvania.Facts About The Battle Of Trenton’s OutcomeThe outcome of the battle was a surprising one. A true turning point.The Commander in Chief planned a surprise attack on the German forces occupying New Jersey. They had their base in Trenton, a city near the Delaware River. The troops were hesitant to cross the river, as it was very cold. Only a few troops could make it, 2,400 people. These numbers were very less when compared to the Hessian auxiliaries garrisoned at Trenton. They were commanded by Colonel Johann Rall. He sent a spy named John Honeyman to the Germans. The victory by the American army in Trenton was followed by the victory at the Battle of Princeton. The Battle of Princeton was a week after the Battle of Trenton. This American victory at Trenton is said to be the most important turning point in American history. This was the attack where the American troops strategized more, boosting their morale.Washington crosses the river Delaware for a second time after he won the Battle of Trenton. He did this a week later and emerged as a victor at the Battle of Princeton. This was also a small battle but showed that the different American troops could be merged together to form a unified American front. On January 3, 1777, Washington closed further on Delaware near Princeton. The British army had placed 1,500 people there. They were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood. General Lord Cornwallis had placed the command to Mawhood. Before winter surged, the American troops attacked the British forces from the back and pushed them away from their stations. The British army under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood was taken by surprise and had retreated back. The news went to General Lord Cornwallis, and he was coming with reinforcements. The American army backed before the reinforcements came, hence sustaining no major losses. These two clever and surprise attacks shored up people’s belief in the American army, and when winter had ended and spring resumed, there were many army enlistments.The Continental Army’s brigadier General John Cadwalader led the battle of Princeton. The army then moved to Morristown after Princeton, then the British were forced to evacuate New Jersey. After seizing the area of Princeton from the British troops, the American army began to loot all the guns and supplies that the British army left. The captured Hessians, after the Battle of Trenton, were paraded in Philadelphia streets. Lieutenant General William Howe of the British forces, was amazed at the outcome of the battle. The tired and weak American troops had managed to defeat a strong German army, this was no small feat.Facts About The Battle Of Trenton’s SignificanceThe significance of the Battle of Trenton was that it was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War.The American troops were losing battles against British forces and Irish forces set across America. About 90 percent of the troops that served in the Battle in Long Island repeated. Men felt that they could never gain the independence they were hoping for. George Washington also started showing some disbelief in his cause. He thought and wrote in a letter ‘I think the game is pretty near up’. But the strategic win at the Battle of Trenton changed the course of the American army in history.The British consider the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton as minor battles. But the historians agree to differ. According to them, when the Continental Army was declining rapidly and people had lost hope in the dream of an independent America, these battles were the driving forces for them. The victory at these battles implied that there was a chance to defeat the British Crown forces. When the American army rested for their winter encampment, people all across America were filled with hope. The spring enlistments were proof that there’s no turning point for the Continental Army. Among the Hessian forces, 896 were wounded and captured, 83 were wounded and 22 people were killed. Commander Johann Rall was also killed during the Battle of Trenton. In the Battle of Trenton, all four Hessian Colonels were killed. The British forces were removed from the Mossberg regiment. Meat, liquor, shoes, bedding, flours, boots, and clothing were captured by the American army. About 1,000 arms and ammunition were also captured by the American army.Some legends say that the Hessians were drunk and tired the morning after Christmas. They say the Germans traditionally celebrated Christmas with a great celebration, and lots of liquor was consumed the night before the battle. But, some historians argue this and say that this is a baseless rumor. This fact has no truth to it, and not even one drop of liquor was drunk by any of the Hessian armies. The Hessians were a powerful force in New York. This European force had created terror in the hearts of American nationals and proved themselves invincible. Writings by Thomas Paine were also effective in boosting the morale of American citizens. Thomas Paine wrote patriotic books. While charging down King street, two important persons were wounded. They were Lieutenant James Monroe, the future president of the United States, and William Washington, the cousin of George Washington.In Trenton, at five points, there is a monument constructed in memory of the Battle of Trenton. This is called the Trenton Battle Monument. This is a tribute to the US victory in Trenton. Locals at Trenton reenact the scene of fighting and winning every year to commemorate the battle, even if the weather is too severe, since the battle happened in December when the winters are unforgivably harsh.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 173 Battle Of Trenton Facts To Learn About The American War then why not take a look at the Battle of Bastogne facts?

The Battle of Trenton was a small battle near the Delaware River fought by the continental army in New Jersey.