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During the year of 1776 George Washington had suffered great losses on Long Island and having to surrender on New York City and forded them to retreat to Jersey. Washington withdraw his troops throughout the crossing of the Delaware, this would make him and his troops indefensible from the British with their naval mobility and larger force. British didn´t attempt to cross the Delaware and established at Manhattan Island and Staten Island under General Howe´s leadership.
Fort Manhattan and Fort Lee had been captured by about 1500 Hessians. George Washington was planning to attack them, by crossing the Delaware at Christmas night with about 2000 men. But the crossing was hard since the weather conditions did not make the passage easy with their boats avoiding ice floes in the river and heavy snow storms. Many of the soldiers were badly clothed and some did not have shoes, several were leaving traces of blood on the snow as they marched to Trenton. On December 26, 1776, American troops surprised the Hessians who were stationed in houses along the Penning road about half mile outside Trenton, they had intended to celebrate Christmas and even their commander was notified of an attack, but he ignored the warning. He said "What need of entrenchments? Let the rebels come; we will at them with the bayonet", and did not anticipate defense works around the town. Continental forces under the command of Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan surrounded them. The Hessian´s commander Colonel Rall who intended to caution his soldiers got in his horse, but he was then shot and died from his wounds. Within 90 minutes Hessians were surrounded by the Americans considering escape routes cut off.. Hessians surrendered, they suffered 20 deaths, 100 wounded and 1000 of their soldiers were captured and sent to Philadelphia.
For the first time Washington and his troops had defeated a regular army in the field, the army had gain forces to continue, the victory raised their spirits giving them confidence, some who were about to leave the army, reenlisted; and Washington´s reputation of a good commander had solidified there were no more doubts of his abilities. Afterward, Washington gained 6 cannons, 40 horses and a great deal of supplies that were transported to Pennsylvania.