Battle+of+Trenton

** Battle of Trenton ** The battle of Trenton, located in New Jersey, was a short and swift conflict. George Washington led an army of over 2,500 soldiers ag  ainst the Hessian army, originally from St. Hesse Cassel. The Hessian army had 1,000 German mercenary soldiers. The American army wanted to surprise them, so they attacked ea r ly December 26. They attacked on that date to get the Hessians when their defenses were down since Washington’s army assumed the Hessian army would be drunk and hopefully have hangovers. The American army crossed the Delaware River and surrounded Trenton to not allow any hessians to escape.

The Hessian Army was at a disadvantage because their main weapons were muskets and they wouldn’t work in the rain. They also were outnumbered so they surrendered quickly, almost 1000 surrendered; only 20 were killed and 100 were left wounded. As for the American troops, only two of their men were killed and four were wounded.

The American army wore either red or blue uniform coats. The Ligh Dragoons wore red coats and leather helmets. The German infantry wore blue coats with brass front plates for protection. Some of the continental army also wore blue uniform coats, but most dressed in normal clothing.

This battle greatly impacted the revolutionary war. Before the war the American troops were depressed because they felt worthless. When they won at Trenton it boosted there self-esteem. The American army went on to win most battles and eventually the revolutionary war. "Battle of Trenton." //BritishBattles.com// N.p., 2007. Web. 3 Dec. 2009. //Leader//. Web. Web. 8 Dec. 2009. //Map of Trenton//. Web. Web. 8 Dec. 2009. Pendrick, William E. Web. Web. 8 Dec. 2009

//The Battle of Trenton// Logan, Joseph. N.p., 2001. Web. 7 Dec. 2009.

//The Revolutionary War Spirit of 1776,// Arnold, James, and Roberta Wiener. Connectitcut: Shermen Turnpick, 2002. Print.