Which battle did George Washington win on December 26, 1776, after crossing the Delaware River?

George Washington won the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, after crossing the Delaware River.

Washington led Continental Army troops across the river during the night of December 25–26. At dawn, they attacked the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. The American victory captured roughly 900 prisoners and provided an important boost to Patriot morale after a series of defeats and retreats.

The crossing and battle were part of a wider effort to revive the revolutionary army. Many soldiers’ enlistments were due to expire at the end of 1776, so a dramatic success could encourage reenlistment and restore confidence. Washington followed the victory with another success at Princeton on January 3, 1777.

The famous crossing is often shown in paintings as a broad daytime passage, but the actual operation occurred at night in difficult winter conditions. The famous image also places Washington standing prominently in a small boat, an artistic composition rather than a literal record of the crossing.