Battle of Princeton

The Battle of Princeton completed the remarkable turnaround of the Ten Crucial Days. Washington's army, having slipped away from Trenton overnight, approached Princeton at dawn and ran into three British regiments under Colonel Mawhood marching toward Trenton. The battle opened with a British bayonet charge that shattered the lead American brigade. Brigadier General Hugh Mercer was surrounded by British troops who beat him down and stabbed him repeatedly with bayonets after he refused to ask for quarter. He died nine days later. The American brigade broke and fled in panic.

At this critical moment Washington personally rode into the fleeing troops and rallied them, then led the combined forces forward in a charge, riding to within thirty yards of the British line before they fired. Witnesses reported that Washington's aide Colonel Fitzgerald covered his eyes, certain the General would be killed. When the smoke cleared Washington was unharmed and the British were falling back. The British retreated to Nassau Hall, where Washington ordered cannon fired through the front door. The garrison quickly surrendered.

The twin victories at Trenton and Princeton forced the British to abandon most of New Jersey, retreating to winter quarters around New Brunswick and Amboy. Washington established his army at Morristown in the New Jersey hills, where it could threaten British communications while remaining difficult to attack. The campaign transformed the political situation entirely, saving the Continental Army and ensuring the war would continue. These battles are still studied in military academies as models of bold winter campaigning.