mander to construct redoubts as a simple mil-
itary precaution. But Rall simply brushed off
their concerns, exclaiming, “Let them come!
We want no trenches. We will go at them with
the bayonet!” Like many professionals, he re-
fused to see the ragtag Americans as anything
but an unorganized rabble, more to be pitied
than feared. Shortly before Christmas Day,
Rall received a warning from General Grant
that the Americans were posed to strike at
Trenton within hours—and chose to ignore it.
The Germans, true to their culture, then set-
tled in for a festive holiday season.
Across the river, Washington realized that
the game was nearly up. He desperately
needed a victory of some kind to break the
pallor of defeat before all was lost. At length,
his spy network brought him welcome news
about the Hessian garrison at Trenton—and
their apparent neglect of fortifications. This
was just the opportunity Washington sought.
Throughout the cold Christmas night, the
Americans were roused from their camps,
brought to the Delaware River, and crossed
over in large Durham boats. Two other
columns assigned to surround the town tried
to cross but were prevented by the weather.
The main force under Washington, 2,400
strong, would have to go it alone. The freezing
cold and the onset of a new storm lashed the
poorly clad soldiers, but it also masked Amer-
ican intentions perfectly. No general in his
right mind would order an attack in such dis-
mal weather.
Back at Trenton, the Hessians began their
usual holiday celebrations, and Rall, uncon-
cerned by Washington—or, for that matter,
much of anything—was thoroughly in his cups.
His troops sent out their routine patrols, and
pickets were establish as usual, but nothing
could be seen in the blinding snowstorm. To
such soldiers versed in the nuances of Euro-
pean warfare, attacks could not be launched
under such conditions. At 7:30 A.M., however,
Washington’s army suddenly appeared on the
outskirts of town as if out of nowhere. Several
columns were quickly dispatched to encircle
Trenton and trap the garrison within, as alarms
sounded and the groggy Germans attempted to
form their lines. Rall, still reeling from the pre-
vious night’s revelries, staggered onto the
street and mounted his horse. The Hessians
were immediately hit by effective artillery fire
and broken up as the massed Americans
charged down the avenues. Rall attempted to
rally his soldiers but was shot off his horse.
Within two hours nearly the entire Hessian
brigade had been captured. Washington’s des-
perate riposte had succeeded brilliantly, net-
ting 918 prisoners, nearly 1,000 badly needed
muskets, all of Rall’s baggage, and 16 regimen-
tal colors. A further 108 Hessians had been
slain in combat as opposed to only five
wounded Americans. It seemed miraculous,
but the combination of Washington’s aggres-
siveness and Rall’s arrogance handed the lag-
ging war effort a well-needed jolt. Rall’s “rab-
ble” had been badly underestimated.
Rall himself was fatally wounded, and
Washington paid him a brief bedside visit. He
died on December 27, 1776, certainly not the
first professional soldier to dismiss with
scorn the fighting ability of Americans. After a
few hours’ rest, Washington moved his shiver-
ing, victorious soldiers deeper into New Jer-
sey, where 10 days later they scored another
inspiring victory over Gen. Charles Corn-
wallisat Princeton. These were small affairs
in strictly military terms, but they kept the
spark of revolution alive—and had an electri-
fying effect on the rest of the country.Bibliography
Atwood, Rodney. The Hessians: Mercenaries from
Hesse-Kassel in the American Revolution.New
York: Cambridge University Press, 1980; Burgoyne,
Bruce E.The Trenton Commanders: Johann Gott-
lieb Rall, George Washington.Bowie, MD: Heritage
Books, 1997; Cunningham, John T. With Him All Is
Over.Trenton: New Jersey Tercentenary Commis-
sion, 1962; Dwyer, William H. The Day Is Ours! No-
vember 1776–January 1777: An Inside View of the
Battles of Trenton and Princeton.New Brunswick,
NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1983; Miller, William P.
“Victory by a Precise Plan.” Military History8, no. 6RALL, JOHANNGOTTLIEB