During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crossed the Delaware River with 5,400 soldiers, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas in their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s military that resulted in the loss of New York and other strategic points in the region.
At around 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s military began its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the frigid, icy river and reached the New Jersey side of Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, consisting of around 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the agreed time.
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At around 8 a.m. on the morning of December 26, Washington’s remaining forces, separated into two columns, reached the outskirts of Trenton and descended on the unsuspecting Hessians. Trenton’s 1,400 Hessian defenders were groggy at the previous evening’s festivities and underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British victories across New York. Washington’s men quickly overwhelmed the German defenses and at 9:30 a.m. the city was surrounded. Although several hundred Hessians escaped, nearly 1,000 were captured at the cost of just four American lives. However, because most of Washington’s army had failed to cross the Delaware, it was without artillery or adequate men and was forced to withdraw from the city.
The victory was not particularly significant from a strategic standpoint, but news of Washington’s initiative boosted morale among American settlers, who previously feared the Continental Army would be unable to achieve victory.
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