Second Battle of Trenton
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| New York and New Jersey, 1776–1777 |
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| Long Island – Kip's Bay – Harlem Heights – Pell's Point – White Plains – Fort Washington – 1st Trenton – 2nd Trenton – Princeton – Forage War – Bound Brook |
The Second Battle of Trenton took place on January 2, 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. After George Washington crossed his troops back across the Delaware River, he decided to hold Trenton against the approaching superior force of Cornwallis. Washington set up defences behind Assunpink Creek outside of Trenton, and fought several successful delaying actions, forcing Cornwallis to arrive late in the evening. The initial assault across the creek, including several bloody charges across the bridge by Hessian Grenadiers, was unsuccessful before nightfall.
Washington and his staff decided to sneak away in the night, marching around the British forces and attacking their rear in Princeton. The Americans left a token force to build fortifications as though they were planning to defend at the creek, and to disguise the sound of their march. British forces perceived the movement, but Cornwallis believed this to be Americans planning a night attack, and thus ordered British troops into defensive positions, allowing Americans to successfully march their army around Cornwallis and start the Battle of Princeton. About 40 Americans died in this battle.
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