Trenton

Step back in time to one of the most pivotal moments of the American Revolution in this riveting episode of Dave Does History.

Join us as we relive the daring Christmas night of 1776, when General George Washington led his ragtag Continental Army across the icy Delaware River for a surprise attack that changed the course of history. With vivid storytelling, sharp analysis, and a touch of humor, we uncover the challenges, strategies, and triumphs of the Battle of Trenton.

From the icy march to the fiery clash in the streets of Trenton, this episode celebrates a moment that turned despair into hope for a fledgling nation.

Perfect for history buffs and casual listeners alike—don’t miss this tale of resilience, risk, and revolution!

The American Revolution, by the winter of 1776, was teetering on the brink of disaster. After a string of defeats, including the humiliating loss of New York City and a desperate retreat across New Jersey, the Continental Army found itself camped on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, cold, hungry, and demoralized. General George Washington’s army, now reduced to fewer than 3,000 men fit for duty, had seen desertions mount and enlistments expire. Even Washington himself had moments of despair, confiding in a letter that he feared “the game is pretty near up.”

Across the river in Trenton, New Jersey, the British had stationed a garrison of Hessian soldiers under Colonel Johann Rall. These highly trained German mercenaries were known for their discipline and effectiveness in battle. Yet, after months of chasing the Americans and preparing for winter quarters, they felt secure in their position. Rall dismissed warnings of a potential attack, believing the battered American forces incapable of mounting a serious threat. This underestimation of Washington would soon become his undoing.

Washington, however, was anything but beaten. Determined to strike a decisive blow that would revive the morale of his troops and the revolution, he devised a bold plan. On Christmas night, he would lead his men across the icy Delaware River, march south through treacherous winter conditions, and launch a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison in Trenton at dawn. Timing and coordination were critical. Supporting forces under General James Ewing and Colonel John Cadwalader were tasked with blocking Hessian reinforcements from nearby positions. But fate would intervene, and the weather would make their crossings impossible, leaving Washington to carry out the mission alone.

The crossing of the Delaware that night has become one of the most iconic moments in American history. It was bitterly cold, with a nor’easter whipping snow and sleet into the faces of the soldiers. The river was choked with ice, making the journey perilous. John Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, skilled sailors from Massachusetts, manned the boats, ferrying men, artillery, and horses across the frigid waters. Soldiers wrapped their feet in rags to protect them from the cold; many left bloody footprints in the snow as they marched. Despite these hardships, Washington rode along the lines, urging his men forward with an unyielding determination. His words were simple but resolute: “Victory or death.”

By the time the Continental Army reached the outskirts of Trenton in the early hours of December 26, the storm had delayed their progress by several hours, and the element of surprise was at risk. Washington divided his force into two columns. General Nathanael Greene’s men approached the town from the north, while General John Sullivan’s column moved in from the south, cutting off the Hessians’ escape across the Assunpink Creek. As dawn broke, the Americans launched their attack.

The Hessians were caught completely off guard. Colonel Rall, who had spent the previous evening celebrating Christmas, scrambled to organize his men. Drums sounded the alarm as Hessian troops poured into the streets, but it was too late. American artillery, directed by Colonel Henry Knox, pounded their positions, sending cannonballs crashing through the town’s narrow streets. Rall tried to mount a counterattack but was mortally wounded as he led his men in a desperate charge. Without their commander, the Hessian ranks faltered. Many fled to an orchard on the edge of town, only to be surrounded and forced to surrender.

In less than two hours, the battle was over. Of the 1,400 Hessians stationed in Trenton, 22 were killed, 83 wounded, and nearly 900 captured. The Americans suffered no combat deaths, though several men died from exposure during the march. The victory was stunning. Washington’s army not only seized valuable supplies, including muskets, bayonets, and artillery, but also shattered the myth of Hessian invincibility. Just as important, the victory electrified the patriot cause. Soldiers whose enlistments were set to expire agreed to stay on, inspired by the success. New recruits began to swell the ranks of the Continental Army.

The Battle of Trenton was far more than a tactical win; it was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Just weeks earlier, many had written off the revolution as a lost cause. Now, Washington had shown that the Continental Army could defeat a formidable enemy. The psychological impact on both sides was profound. For the Americans, it was proof that the war was winnable. For the British, it was a sharp reminder that their foe, though often ragged and under-equipped, possessed both resolve and cunning.

The victory at Trenton also solidified Washington’s place as a leader of unparalleled courage and vision. His willingness to take risks, his ability to inspire his men, and his tactical brilliance became the stuff of legend. The crossing of the Delaware and the triumph that followed became a symbol of American resilience and determination, celebrated in works of art and history.

In the days after the battle, Washington would build on this momentum, leading his forces to another victory at Princeton. Together, the twin victories at Trenton and Princeton revitalized the revolution and forced the British to rethink their strategy in the colonies. For Washington and his army, the freezing Christmas night of 1776 was not just a moment of survival—it was the beginning of a resurrection. Against all odds, they had proven that liberty was worth fighting for and that this scrappy band of revolutionaries could indeed stand toe-to-toe with the might of an empire. It was, as the history books would later write, the day the tide began to turn.