Battlefield

Princeton

After crossing the Delaware, George Washington's ten-day campaign culminated in a decisive victory at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, proving his army could defeat the British. The battle saw Washington's forces overcome initial setbacks to rout the British and shift the momentum of the war

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New Jersey | Jan 3, 1777

After crossing the Delaware on December 25, 1776, George Washington embarked on a ten day campaign that would change the course of the war. Culminating at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, Washington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and proved his amateur army could defeat the British.

The Battle of Princeton was a classic meeting engagement, both sides stumbled into one another, and neither expected to fight on the ground where the battle raged. Initially, the British commander Charles Mawhood, marched his force south towards Trenton to meet the main British army, when he spotted the American column. Washington had stolen a march on Charles Lord Cornwallis, slipping away from the British forces along Assunpink Creek the night before.

When the Americans spotted British troopers around William Clarke's farm, Washington detached Hugh Mercer's brigade to investigate. Mercer ran headlong into the 17th Foot, firmly stationed behind a fence at the end of Clarke's orchard. In the ensuing volleys, Mercer was wounded and his men routed by a bayonet charge. With the outnumbered British on the verge of splitting his army, Washington quickly detached John Cadwalader's Philadelphia Associatiors to plug the gap. These green troops fought valiantly, but were also broken by British bayonets.

Original Sword from the Battle of Princeton

With the battle, and the war, hanging in the balance, Washington personally led fresh troops onto the field while grapeshot and canister from Joseph Moulder's artillery battery forced the British back towards William Clarke's farmhouse. Washington's counterattack broke the British line, which quickly turned into a rout. 

Further towards town, two smaller engagements at Frog Hollow and on the grounds of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), also resulted in British retreat. Washington had won a great victory, defeating an inferior force of British regulars, but Colonel Mawhood was also praised for delaying the Americans long enough to rescue most of his supplies.

What's Nearby

Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.

0.00098201835807109
0.31271433530187
Nassau Hall, Princeton University

Princeton, NJ 08542

2.5748833292176
2.6896542702818
7.7005959262434
14.50922060782
14.627192075832
Washington Crossing the Delaware

Trenton, NJ 08608

14.642150462066
15.908684607145
15.908684607145
17.011583151654
20.08597734426
26.231118971873
26.439722325507
Exterior of the Wallace House

Somerville, NJ 08876

26.854246625458
26.917228829783
27.152791628615
27.236511941935
Abraham Staats House, located in South Bound Brook, NJ

South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

27.826346440631
30.196123615747
30.752354824088
Washington at Monmouth

Manalapan, NJ 07726

31.140464384682

Stories from Princeton

Trail Site

Renowned for Gen. George Washington's daring crossing of the Delaware River on a frigid Christmas night, Trenton marked the start of the Ten Crucial Days—a series of bold victories that reignited hope in the Revolutionary cause.

Biography

The commander-in-chief of British forces in North America, Howe is now known for his failure to quell the revolution in the colonies during its early years and return loyalty to the British crown.

Video/Audio
Reposted from battlefields.org December 25, 1776: Victory or Death. General Washington opted for a last bold strike against the British by attacking the garrison at Trenton, NJ. The result convinced...