Battle of Trenton

A December 1776 American victory in which George Washington’s Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and captured Trenton, New Jersey, from Hessian troops.

Delaware River crossing: The Continental Army’s nighttime crossing of the Delaware River on December 25–26, 1776, during a winter storm. The crossing concealed Washington’s approach and made the attack on Trenton possible.
New York and New Jersey campaign: The 1776–1777 campaign in which British forces captured New York and pursued the Continental Army across New Jersey. British advances drove Washington’s army westward toward the Delaware before Trenton.
Battle of the Assunpink Creek: A January 1777 engagement in Trenton in which American forces repelled a British attack at Assunpink Creek. Washington’s withdrawal after this follow-up battle preserved the gains made at Trenton.
The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton: A 1776 painting by John Trumbull depicting the surrender of Hessian troops at Trenton. Trumbull’s composition shaped later visual memory of the American victory.
George Washington: The commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and the first U.S. president. Washington planned the crossing and led the force that attacked Trenton.
Battle of Long Island: An August 1776 British victory that forced the Continental Army to evacuate Long Island. The defeat began the retreat that culminated in Washington’s withdrawal across New Jersey.
Battle of Princeton: A January 1777 American victory over British forces near Princeton, New Jersey. Washington followed Trenton with another victory that helped drive British troops from much of New Jersey.
Washington Crossing the Delaware: An 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze depicting Washington leading the Delaware River crossing before Trenton. The painting made the crossing more famous than the battle’s tactical details.
John Cadwalader: A Pennsylvania militia general who commanded forces in the American Revolutionary War. His planned diversion near Bristol was intended to support Washington’s crossing.
Battle of Fort Washington: A November 1776 British victory that captured an American fort in Manhattan and thousands of Continental soldiers. Its loss further weakened Washington’s army before the Trenton operation.

Linked from 6 pages