An American defensive victory at Trenton that allowed Washington to outmaneuver Cornwallis and strike Princeton, forcing a British withdrawal from most of New Jersey.
Key Facts
- Date
- January 2, 1777
- British force under Cornwallis
- ~5,000 men
- British troops left at Princeton
- 1,400 men under Lt. Col. Mawhood
- American assault repulses
- 3 British assaults repelled
- Outcome
- American victory
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the American victory at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, General Washington anticipated a strong British counterattack. He positioned his Continental Army in a defensive line south of the Assunpink Creek to receive the anticipated assault by Lieutenant General Cornwallis, who advanced from Princeton with approximately 5,000 men.
On January 2, 1777, Cornwallis's advance was slowed by American riflemen under Edward Hand, and his troops did not reach Trenton until twilight. The British assaulted the American defensive positions across Assunpink Creek three times and were repulsed each time. Cornwallis chose to delay the decisive engagement until the following morning.
That night, Washington secretly moved his army around Cornwallis's camp and struck the British garrison at Princeton the next day. The defeat at Princeton, combined with the Assunpink Creek action, compelled the British to withdraw from most of New Jersey for the winter, boosting American morale and momentum.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
George Washington, Edward Hand.
Side B
1 belligerent
Charles Cornwallis, Charles Mawhood.