army was
completely disorganized. In all their cantonments, which were straggling
and far apart, a careless confidence prevailed, and it happened
unfortunately, likewise, that one of the most critical points was
entrusted to a body of Hessians, and unprovided with any defence. But
while they were slumbering in fancied security, Washington was marking
them for his prey. He had spies everywhere, and having ascertained
the situation of our forces, he resolved to try the effect of a sudden
attack, which might induce his enemy to fall back from the Delaware.
Accordingly, on the 24th of December, he collected his forces on
the opposite banks of the river, and on the next day he made his
preparations for crossing it at nightfall. Difficulties which he had to
surmount prevented him from gaining the left bank before three o'clock
in the morning; but by that time his troops were collected a little
above Trenton, where the Hessians were posted under the command of
Colonel Rhalle. At the same time Generals Irving and Cadwallader were
ordered to cross the river lower down, in order to cut off the retreat
of the Hessians. These generals, however, could not get their artillery
across the river, and they returned, leaving Washington with his
division, which consisted of 2,500 of his best men, to perform his
enterprise alone. It was four o'clock before he could get his troops
into motion, and then he had to march eight or nine miles before he
could reach Trenton, where the Hessians lay. But these mercenaries were
buried in sleep and Christmas drink; and though it was daylight before
the Americans arrived, they permitted themselves to be almost surrounded
before they prepared for resistance. The event was disastrous. Colonel
Rhalle assembled all that he could of his three regiments, and bravely
charged Washington's main body; but at the very commencement of the
attack he was mortally wounded by an American rifle, and the Hessians
being encompassed on all sides with muskets and artillery, to the number
of nearly a thousand, laid down their arms and surrendered. A troop of
British light-horse, and about five hundred infantry, who were stationed
at the lower end of Trenton, towards the bridge, escaped to Borden town;
but Washington recrossed the Delaware in triumph, with his prisoners,
six field-pieces, and a quantity of military stores.

This expedition had a surprising effect on the Americans. Hitherto the
Hessians had been looked upon as