Trapped between a river and a relentless British army, George Washington and his ragtag Continental forces faced what seemed like certain defeat on a freezing January night in 1777.
In this episode of Dave Does History, we take you to the banks of Assunpink Creek in Trenton, New Jersey, where the second battle of Trenton played out in a fiery clash of strategy, grit, and sheer determination. Discover how Washington’s cunning maneuvers and his soldiers’ bravery turned a desperate situation into a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. It’s a story of resilience, deception, and a daring midnight escape that set the stage for America’s fight for freedom.
Tune in as we unravel the battle that proved the Revolution was far from over!
The American Revolution was at a breaking point as 1777 began. The Continental Army, battered by defeats and demoralized by desertions, faced the grim prospect of collapse. Many soldiers’ enlistments were set to expire at the end of December 1776, and supplies were running dangerously low. In this bleak winter landscape, General George Washington made a bold decision to take the offensive and restore hope. His daring victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776, where his troops surprised and defeated a Hessian garrison, was a glimmer of light. However, Washington knew that British forces would respond swiftly and decisively.
Washington recrossed the Delaware River into New Jersey on December 30, taking a defensive position along the Assunpink Creek in Trenton. This small waterway offered a natural barrier, and Washington’s men hastily fortified the southern bank. Knowing the British would likely advance along the main highway from Princeton, Washington positioned a delaying force midway between the two towns. This force, initially commanded by General Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy, soon came under the leadership of Colonel Edward Hand after de Fermoy abandoned his post in a drunken stupor. Hand, a skilled rifleman, was ready to slow the British advance.
On January 2, 1777, General Charles Cornwallis set out from Princeton with approximately 5,000 British and Hessian troops. Confident in their superior numbers, professional training, and firepower, Cornwallis’s men anticipated little resistance. What they encountered was a masterclass in guerrilla warfare. Hand’s riflemen, using the terrain to their advantage, staged ambushes and sniped at British forces from behind trees, rocks, and ravines. Each time the British regrouped and prepared to advance, the Americans fell back to another defensive position, forcing Cornwallis to waste precious daylight deploying his troops repeatedly.
By mid-afternoon, the British reached the outskirts of Trenton, where the main battle would unfold. As Cornwallis’s army approached the Assunpink Creek, the Americans were ready. Washington had fortified the stone bridge that crossed the creek, positioning artillery and infantry to create a deadly kill zone. The creek itself, swollen with icy water, presented a natural obstacle, and Washington’s men were determined to hold the line.
Cornwallis, despite the exhaustion of his troops, ordered an assault on the bridge. The first wave, led by Hessian grenadiers, charged directly into a barrage of musket fire and artillery. The Americans, aiming low to target the legs of their attackers, inflicted devastating casualties. The Hessians, unable to withstand the withering fire, retreated in disarray. Undeterred, Cornwallis sent two more waves of British soldiers into the fray, only to meet the same fate. The final assault was met with canister shot from American artillery, shredding the British lines. One soldier later described the scene as horrifying: “The bridge looked red as blood, with their killed and wounded and red coats.”
Cornwallis, frustrated but undeterred, called off the attack as night fell. He was confident that Washington was trapped, hemmed in by the creek on one side and the Delaware River on the other. “We’ve got the old fox safe now,” Cornwallis reportedly said, planning to resume the assault at dawn. But Washington had no intention of being caught. That night, in one of the most brilliant tactical maneuvers of the war, he ordered his men to maintain blazing campfires and loud activity to deceive the British into thinking they were digging in for a fight. Meanwhile, the entire Continental Army quietly slipped away, marching north toward Princeton on a little-used back road.
By the time Cornwallis realized what had happened, Washington was miles away. The following morning, cannon fire in the distance alerted the British to a new crisis: Washington’s forces were engaging the garrison at Princeton. Caught off guard, Cornwallis had no choice but to abandon his pursuit and retreat toward New York. Washington’s victory at Princeton further destabilized British control in New Jersey and forced them to pull back to defensive positions, effectively ending their winter campaign.
The Battle of Assunpink Creek was a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. While not a decisive tactical victory, it demonstrated the ingenuity, resilience, and resourcefulness of the Continental Army. Washington’s ability to outthink and outmaneuver a superior force was on full display, preserving his army and setting the stage for further successes. For the British, the battle was a harsh reminder that the American insurgency would not be easily crushed. Cornwallis’s failure to destroy Washington’s army not only emboldened the Patriots but also exposed vulnerabilities in British strategy.
The psychological impact of the battle cannot be overstated. The Americans’ ability to hold their ground against the might of the British Empire reinvigorated the Patriot cause and inspired fresh enlistments. News of the victories at Trenton and Assunpink Creek spread rapidly, bolstering morale among the troops and civilians alike. These “Ten Crucial Days,” which included Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton, marked a turning point in the war. They proved to the world—and to the Americans themselves—that the Continental Army could stand toe-to-toe with the British under the right conditions.
Washington’s leadership during this campaign became legendary. His calm demeanor under fire, his strategic foresight, and his ability to inspire his men solidified his reputation as the indispensable man of the Revolution. The memory of Assunpink Creek endures as a symbol of resilience and determination. In 1789, as Washington journeyed to his first inauguration, the citizens of Trenton erected a triumphal arch at the Assunpink Creek bridge to honor the moment when the Revolution turned in favor of liberty.
The Battle of Assunpink Creek was more than just a clash of arms; it was a demonstration of the indomitable spirit of a people fighting for their freedom. Against all odds, Washington and his men showed that courage, ingenuity, and unity could overcome even the most formidable obstacles. The lessons of that frigid January night remain etched in the fabric of American history, a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring pursuit of liberty.
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