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BATTLE // 26 Dec 1776

Trenton

New Jersey · 40.217, -74.743

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Overview

The Battle of Trenton was a short but pivotal American Revolutionary War battle on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey. After General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night, Washington led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian auxiliaries garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, almost two-thirds of the Hessian force were captured, with minimal losses to the Americans. The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's waning morale, and inspired re-enlistments.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Morale restored after New York reverses

Result

Continental victory

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United States2,400
    medium
  • Hesse-Kassel1,500
    medium

United States fielded a 1.6 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Hesse913
    medium

Commanders (4)

Hesse-Kassel

United States

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Related

6 sibling battles · 6 factions

Last verified May 2026
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