The Battle of Princeton

Another battle that took place during the American Revolution battles was the Battle of Princeton.

Date: 3rd January 1777

Place: Princeton in New Jersey, USA

Generals: General George Washington against Major General Lord Cornwallis

There were: 7,000 Americans against 8,000 British and Hessians. But only 1,200 British troops were directly participated.

Winner: George Washington with his army ( The Patriots)

 

General Mercer death at the Battle of Princeton

After the surprise of Hessians in the previous Battle of Trenton in 1776 General George Washington intended to return within a few days and attempt a recovery of New Jersey from the British.

Before the Attack something concerning happened to Washington he faced the curious crisis, that many of his soldiers were about to become “time expired”. That is their period of enlistment lapsed or ended at midnight on 31st December 1776. With some bargaining and convincing many of these men were persuaded to stay for six weeks more. The Battle of Princeton map The weather was wet and the roads muddy. Cornwallis advanced, driving the American force back to Trenton. Resisting strongly the American troops were forced back through the town to their positions on the south bank of the Assunpink. Attempts were made that evening by the British , but in the face of stiff resistance were postponed to the morning.  In the middle of the night the Americans left fires burning and marched off to the East and then to the North towards Princeton. As the Americans approached the Princeton road a rumour passed along the column that the Hessians were attacking. Some of the inexperienced militia turned and fled south, the rest continued towards Princeton. British Grenadier There were a not so good casualties. The British lost only 40 dead, 58 wounded and 187 missing. The Americans lost a number of able officers: General Mercer, Colonel Haslet and several others. They also lost 40 soldiers killed and wounded. The favorable results of this battles caught some Europeans attention. Obtaining as a later result the intervention  of France and Spain and it also proved Washington as a leader of resource and decision.