Someone was watching over Washington’s little army that day. The mist, the storm, the chance raid of the night before, Col. Rahl’s concern towards his men and the location of a man who knew where the picket was located contributed to the surprise of the attack.
The picket was rushed, the sentry was down. Hessians tumbled out of the house trying to put on their uniforms. They still managed to fire a hurried volley but in their surprise and haste, little or no damage was done on the American side. Screaming, the scarecrow army of Americans burst out of the mist, formed up and fired a volley. Some of the Hessian’s went down and the rest turned and ran. These were the invincible Hessians, known for their iron discipline. They were some of the best of the European troops. They ran towards the town pursued by the Americans. At long last, they had an enemy on the run. There would be no stopping them this time.
The alarm was raised. Pandemonium raged in the town. Sleepy Hessians still in their billets in the townspeople’s houses tried to fire their muskets from the windows of the houses they were in. Americans charged into the houses and rousted the Hessians out. Washington had insisted that the enemy be treated fairly if they tried to surrender even though the word was out that the Hessians had slaughtered surrendering American soldiers.
Two Hessian gun crews tried to get their pieces into action. Capt. William Washington, a cousin of the General, charged forward and “taking two pieces in the act of firing, drove their artellerists from the guns”. Hessians started forming up in the town. Then the town came under fire from the guns of Gen. Knox and their formations were broken up. As the Americans charged through the streets, the Hessians began surrendering.
Still some managed to get out of the town and formed up on the east side. Col Rahl rode out on his horse and attempted to rally them. He tried to get them to charge towards the Americans, who half hidden in the mists and snow, fired on them. Rahl was hit and mortally wounded and in a couple of hours, it was all over. It was a stunning victory. Washington then crossed back over the Delaware with his army. The Americans lost three men dead, one of whom froze to death. They had six wounded. The records show that they:
The victory breathed new life into the rebellion.captured a thousand men, including twenty three officers, six brass field pieces and a thousand stand of arms.
More to come……