The Battle of Princeton

One week after the Battle of Trenton, Britain's General Cornwallis marched south along the Delaware with his troops. Their orders were to counterattack Washington's army and retake Trenton.

Washington learned of Cornwallis's order and devised a plan to outmaneuver them. That night the Americans quietly snuck around the redcoats and headed north. Two soldiers were left behind to keep the campfire burning so the watchmen thought they were in camp.

On the morning of January 2, the Americans moved to Princeton and teamed up with reinforcements. Washington's army spotted a British regiment marching toward Cornwallis and engaged in battle. The surprised redcoats fled throughout the city. Most of the men were taken prisoner while some ran and hid in Princeton University. The men surrendered after Captain Alexander Hamilton fired into the building.

After hearing of the battle, Cornwallis hurried to protect New Brunswick, the main supply camp. Because of this setback, he was unable to take Philadelphia. Fooling Cornwallis again, Washington captured Hackensack and Elizabethtown. All of New Jersey, except for New Brunswick and Amboy, was now under American control.