Which battle did George Washington’s army attack after crossing the Delaware River in December 1776?

George Washington’s army attacked at the Battle of Trenton after crossing the Delaware River in December 1776.

Washington led Continental Army troops across the river during the night of December 25–26, 1776. On the morning of December 26, the Americans surprised the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. The term “Hessian” referred to German soldiers hired by Britain, especially troops from Hesse-Kassel.

The American victory was limited in size but important in morale. The Continental Army captured about 900 prisoners and supplies while suffering very few losses. After a brief occupation, Washington withdrew across the Delaware, then returned to New Jersey and won the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.

A frequent mix-up places the famous crossing at the Battle of Princeton. The crossing immediately preceded Trenton; Princeton was a separate engagement a week later. Emanuel Leutze’s later painting Washington Crossing the Delaware also helped make the river crossing one of the Revolution’s most recognizable images.