Battle+of+Princeton


 * The Battle of [|Princeton], which took place on Friday, January 3rd, 1777, was an aftereffect of the [|Battle of Trenton]. The battle of [|Trenton] took place on Christmas Day, December 25, 1776, approximately a week before the Battle of Princeton. Friday, January 3rd, 1777 was a clear, windy day, approximately 28 degrees Fahrenheit. General George Washington and his men had now crossed over the [|Delaware River]from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. This had been the fourth time George Washington and his men had crossed the river, in order to meet [|General Cadwalader]; who was unsuccessful in his attempt to cross the Delaware River with his men on Christmas Eve. By the time Washington and his men had reached Trenton, General Cornwallis entered Princeton with 8,000 troops. Washington knew that Cornwallis would want a counter attack, due to the fact that the Americans won the Battle of Trenton. So Washington set up his men at the south of town where the [|Assunpink Creek] is located. General Cadwalader had finally arrived in New Jersey on December 27th, 1776, where he was accompanied by the Pennsylvania militia. Unaware that Washington had crossed the Delaware again in order to find Cadwalader, the militia and Cadwalader traveled into Bordontown. During this time the New Year was approaching, which meant that men's agreements to fight in the war were up, this caused a dilemma; because half of the men wanted to leave while others wanted to stay. Thankfully, many of the men stayed to support their country and extended their agreements. **
 * On the British side, [|General Howe]commanded Cornwallis to gather more troops for a counter attack against the colonists. Following Howe's orders, on January 2nd, 1777 Cornwallis marches towards Trenton with approximately 6,000 men. While the British were journeying to Trenton, from Princeton, the Americans attacked. This was one of the first initial triggers that prompted the battle, although this ambush only lasted a little while. The real battle took place the following day. The purpose of this ambush from the American army was to delay time so that the American army would have more time to prepare for the battle and rest. Finally, the British reached Trenton where Washington was out numbered with only 5,200 men, mostly comprised of inexperienced militia. Cornwallis decided that they should wait until morning, so that his armies were well rested. In the end however, this decision didn't turn out to his favor. **
 * Washington was aware that the British were afraid that the Americans were going to retreat during the night. So, Washington devised a plan to make the British believe that he and his men were still in Trenton. This plan consisted of a few men keeping the campfires burning, making entrenchment noises, and keeping up appearances; while the rest of the army moved to Princeton to attack the British forces from behind. This, however, was not their only goal; they also had their eyes on capturing the 70,000 pound sterling war treasury of the British, stored in New Brunswick. On the morning of the battle, [|Lieutenant Colonel Mawhood], of Britain, and his men were heading for Princeton, while [|General Mercer], of America, and his men were guarding the area there. So essentially the men ran into each other, and began to fire. This was the beginning of the battle. General Mercer was mortally injured and outnumbered, but thankfully Cadwalader and his 600 men militia arrived to help, although still outnumbered. More troops then arrived and Washington himself led the men towards the British army. Fire began to shoot, and the British fled. Luckily Washington arranged his men around Princeton so that when the British tried to run away they were surrounded. Many of the British soldiers took shelter in [|Nassau Hall], in Princeton. Here the American army attacked the hall with cannons and guns and soon the British surrendered to the Americans. Washington's army then moved north along the [|Millstone River] to Somerset Court House, and then to [|Morristown]. Although the Americans weren't able to capture Britain's war treasury, they still successfully won the Battle of Princeton against the British. The casualties of this battle are not completely known, but it is guessed that from the British army about 100 men were killed, 70 wounded and 280 captured. While, from the American army there were about 25 men killed, 40 wounded, and 0 captured. **









 Major General Lord Cornwallis vs. General George Washington



** Major General Lord Cornwallis fought in the [|American Revolutionary War]for the British. His role in this war was as a British officer as well as a colonial administrator. Cornwallis was known for being a great leader in the American Revolution; he also has an extensive history fighting for the British in war; for example the [|Seven Years' War]. Cornwallis was a leading British general and had a lot of experience due to the fact that he had been in the British army since 1757. In the American Revolution he took part in many battles, such as the [|Capture of New York City], and the Battle of Princeton. Under [|General Howe's]orders Cornwallis and his men were able to be successful in their capture of New York City in the summer and fall of 1776. In the battle of Princeton, [|Cornwallis and his army faced defeat and were conquered by the Americans]. Not to mention they let the element of surprise overcome them, but Cornwallis put up a good fight and had the knowledge and humility to see when surrender was necessary. Cornwallis had his failures and victories but overall was known as a great leader who fought hard for his country. **



   **General George Washington fought in the American Revolutionary War for the Americans. Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the [|Continental Army] and was a great general in the American Revolution. Although Washington had many failures at first, in the end he had many victories and ended up winning us the war. Some battles he was successful in are the [|Battle of Trenton], and of course the Battle of Princeton. Washington originally wanted to serve his country and hopefully join the army for Britain, but things didn’t quite work out that way. Instead Washington joined the [|militia] and fought for Britain in the [|French and Indian War], but later for America in the Revolution. Thanks to Washington’s experience in the French and Indian War he learned a lot of war fare and was able to learn tactics to later defeat Britain. Washington was a great leader because he used the element of surprised and tricked the British at the Battle of Princeton into thinking the Americans ran away. Instead he attacked the British army from behing. Thanks to Washington’s strategy and skill the Americans won the Battle at Princeton and [|many others in the future].**

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