A Historian’s View of the Ten Crucial Days
Notes from Washington Crossing State Park historian, Clay Craighead.
The Christmas Night Crossing
In desperate need of a victory, Washington decided to cross the Delaware River on Christmas Night to launch a surprise attack on Trenton.
The Battle of Trenton
By 4 AM the crossing of the Delaware River had been accomplished, but now the army was faced with an arduous nine mile march to Trenton with the weather continuing to be severe.
Were the Hessians Drunk at Trenton?
This is probably one of the biggest myths in American history.
Johann Gottlieb Rall
At the time of the Battle of Trenton, Johann Gottlieb Rall had been serving in the Hessian military for over 26 years and was the Colonel of his own regiment.
The Second Battle of Trenton
After resting and recovering from the ordeal of the crossings, Washington decided to cross back into New Jersey.
The Battle of Princeton
The night march to Princeton was a slow treacherous 13 mile route over a back road with some occasional tree stumps obstructing the way.