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26 December in military history: Battle of Trenton, 1776

Military history · 26 December · American Revolutionary WarFull calendar

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Map marking the battle site: Trenton, New Jersey
Location: Trenton, New Jersey. Location map: © Echoes of Battle (data: Natural Earth, public domain)
Quick answer

On 26 December 1776 George Washington's Continental Army, after crossing the icy Delaware River in a night storm, surprised the Hessian garrison of Colonel Johann Rall at Trenton, New Jersey. About 900 Hessians were captured, Rall was mortally wounded, and the Americans lost no one killed in the fighting.1

Battle of Trenton, 1776

26 December 1776 · 249 years ago

On the night of 25 to 26 December 1776, George Washington led about 2,400 men across the ice-filled Delaware River in a storm and marched on the Hessian garrison holding Trenton, New Jersey.

Read the full story of Battle of Trenton, 1776 ›

Battle of Pułtusk, 1806: Lannes against Bennigsen in the snow

26 December 1806 · 219 years ago

French troops under Marshal Jean Lannes fought a larger Russian army under Levin von Bennigsen near Pułtusk, in the war against the Fourth Coalition. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and although the Russians pulled back the next day, the result is generally seen as indecisive.

Read the full story of Battle of Pułtusk, 1806: Lannes against Bennigsen in the snow ›

Frequently asked questions

When and where was the Battle of Trenton?

On the morning of 26 December 1776 in Trenton, New Jersey, after Washington's army crossed the Delaware River at McConkey's Ferry during the night.2

Who won the Battle of Trenton?

George Washington's Continental Army, against the Hessian garrison of Colonel Johann Rall, who was mortally wounded.3

How many Hessians were captured at Trenton?

About 900. Washington reported 23 officers and 886 men taken prisoner; other returns give slightly higher totals.4

Notes

A number in the text points to a note; each note names the works that paragraph draws on, listed in full under Sources.

  1. George Washington to John Hancock, The Papers of George Washington; American Battlefield Trust, “Trenton”; Frederick L. Ferris, A History of Trenton, 1679-1929. ↩
  2. American Battlefield Trust, “Trenton”; Frederick L. Ferris, A History of Trenton, 1679-1929; Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, “History”. ↩
  3. American Battlefield Trust, “Trenton”; Frederick L. Ferris, A History of Trenton, 1679-1929. ↩
  4. George Washington to John Hancock, The Papers of George Washington; Frederick L. Ferris, A History of Trenton, 1679-1929. ↩

Sources

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