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1777 Trenton Map

Image ID: 221

Dot #: 1
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
Trenton, NJ- Outpost of 1400 Hessians at end of the long line stretching from New York City.
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Trenton, NJ- Outpost of 1400 Hessians at end of the long line stretching from New York City.
Dot #: 2
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
An American camp in Pennsylvania, centering around Newtown.
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An American camp in Pennsylvania, centering around Newtown.
Dot #: 3
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
Washington crosses the Delaware River at McConkey's ferry, night of Dec 25-26, 1776.
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Washington crosses the Delaware River at McConkey's ferry, night of Dec 25-26, 1776.
Dot #: 4
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
One American column under Ten. Washington and Greene approach Trenton along Pennington Road.
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One American column under Ten. Washington and Greene approach Trenton along Pennington Road.
Dot #: 5
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
The other American column under General Sullivan approach from the River Road.
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The other American column under General Sullivan approach from the River Road.
Dot #: 6
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
The two American columns converge on the Hessians simultaneously and rout the garrison in a battle lasting less than an hour.
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The two American columns converge on the Hessians simultaneously and rout the garrison in a battle lasting less than an hour.
Dot #: 7
Author: rgibbs
Image ID: 221
A week later, Washington gained another victory at Princeton, NJ. These two military successes saved the cause of American Independence. Washington showed battlefield genius. He had, indeed, made mistakes that year, but he learned. No matter how desperate the campaign had been, he responded with an iron will, bravery and determination.No one else could have done what General George Washington did in that fateful campaign of 1776.
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A week later, Washington gained another victory at Princeton, NJ. These two military successes saved the cause of American Independence. Washington showed battlefield genius. He had, indeed, made mistakes that year, but he learned. No matter how desperate the campaign had been, he responded with an iron will, bravery and determination.No one else could have done what General George Washington did in that fateful campaign of 1776.
1777 Trenton Map

This detailed battle map, published by Willam Faden in 1777, shows the heroic actions of the American forces from December 26, 1776 to January 3, 1777. After crossing the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, the Americans encamped near Newtown (center, left of map). With the integrity of his army at stake, Washington decided on the one course that would save the revolution; he would attack! He chose an isolated Hessian outpost in Trenton, at the very end of the British-Hessian line. On Christmas night 1776, the American Army crossed the Delaware River back into New Jersey at McKonkey’s Ferry (just northeast of Newtown on map). Then the army marched in two divisions, the left down the Pennington Road and the right down the River Road, to attack the Hessians. Catching the enemy by surprise, the result was an hour long battle leading to a small, but complete victory. The Hessian commander was killed, and over 1000 Hessians were taken prisoner. Washington then returned his army to its Pennsylvania encampment, but followed up with another victory a week later in Princeton, New Jersey (northeast of Trenton). The twin victories breathed new life into the cause of independence and led to recognition of Washington as a battlefield commander. The British knew they would now be in for a long struggle if they were to put down the American rebellion. / Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division.

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1777 Trenton Map
1776 Trenton
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