Knight of Rook

Washington had just been defeated in his New York campaign, his men’s enlistments were almost up, their spirits were crushed, and the Continental Congress was quickly losing faith in their general. It was late December, it was cold, and time to go into winter quarters. The American Revolution looked like nothing more than a lost cause, a weak uprising to be quickly stamped out by the most powerful army in the world. But the tide of war was about to turn.

Trenton was garrisoned by 1,400 hessian soldiers, it was isolated, and under the delusion that the Americans were in no position to make an attack. Washington knew he badly needed a victory, and recognized the opportunity Trenton offered. Washington decided he was going to attack the unsuspecting force.

In order to get to Trenton the Americans had to cross the Delaware; the crossing began on the night of December 25, Christmas day. The weather was not good; as soon as the crossing began a storm broke out and made crossing next to impossible. It took fully three hours to get the force across. Sullivan sent word to general Washington that his men’s muskets were unable to fire due to exposure to the storm. Washington replied “Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton.”

On the side of the Hessians things were more pleasant (for the time being). They made a very big deal of Christmas, and had a party (drinks all around!). Because of the storm the Hessian commander, Colonel Johann Rall did not send out scouts. The results were devastating.

Washington’s method of attack was also masterful. They were not just going to attack them while they were unsuspecting, they were going to surround them (see map below).

Battle of Trenton

The attack commenced at 8:00 AM December the 26th. The Hessians were caught completely off guard. They attempted to organize a resistance and a counter stroke, but the flanking fire prevented them from doing so. In only ninety minutes the fight was over. The Hessians never stood a chance.

Americans had only seven casualties. The Hessians suffered one hundred and five casualties, about six hundred escaped, the rest were captured.

Trenton is a perfect example of supreme generalship. One may wonder why I say this, after all, the Hessians never stood a chance. But the fact that the Hessians didn’t have chance is what makes it such an example of what a commander should do. Striking at a weak, isolated and unexpected position is what wins wars. A generals job is not to give the enemy a sporting chance, but to win wars as quickly and efficiently as possible. The successful general is the commander who can follow the advice of the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, and “avoid strength by striking at weakness”. Trenton is an example of just that.