Battle of Trenton

The Battle of Trenton occured on December 26, 1776 and was in the town of Trenton, New Jersey. Only the American army and the Hessian army(Hessians were Germans) fought in this battle since the Hessians were fighting for the British. The American plan relied on launching coordinated attacks from three directions. General John Cadwalader would launch a diversionary attack against the British garrison at Bordentown, New Jersey, to block off reinforcements. General James Ewing would take 700 militia across the river at Trenton Ferry, seize the bridge over the Assunpink Creek and prevent enemy troops from escaping. The main assault force of 2,400 men would cross the river 9 miles (14 km) north of Trenton and split into two groups – one under Greene and one under Sullivan – to launch a pre-dawn attack.[7] Sullivan would attack the town from the south and Greene from the north.[8] Depending on the success of the operation, the Americans would possibly follow up with separate attacks on Princeton and New Brunswick.[9]
During the week before Christmas, American advanced parties had begun to ambush enemy cavalry patrols, capturing dispatch riders and attacking Hessian pickets. This became so effective that the Hessian commander was forced to send 100 infantry and an artillery detachment to protect his letter to the British commander at Princeton.[9] Washington ordered that Ewing and his Pennsylvania militia try to gain information on Hessian movements and designs.[10] Instead of doing this, Ewing launched three successful raids across the river. On December 17 and 18th they attacked a Jagers outpost and on the 21st, set fire to several houses.[10] Washington also ordered that all possible crossings near their encampment on the Delaware were to be watched day and night, as he believed that Howe would launch an attack on Philadelphia if the river froze over.[11]
On December 20, 2,000 men arrived to join Washington's army.[12] They were under the command of Charles Lee and had been retreating across northern New Jersey when Lee was captured. That same day, an additional 800 troops arrived from Fort Ticonderoga under the command of Horatio Gates.[12]

On December 14, the Hessians arrived in Trenton.[13] Trenton had two main streets, King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street, and the town consisted of about 100 houses.[14] Carl von Donop, Rall's superior, had marched south to Mount Holly on December 22 to deal with the resistance in New Jersey, and clashed with the New Jersey militia there on December 23.[15]
Donop, who despised Rall, was reluctant to give command of Trenton to him.[16] Rall was known to be loud, and a drunk, and was unacquainted with the language,[16] but he was also a 56-year soldier with a great deal of battle experience. He had requested reinforcements and been turned down by British commander General James Grant. Grant regarded the Americans with great disdain and sent no reinforcements. Despite his experience, the Hessians at Trenton were not fond of their commander.[17] They believed that he was too nice, and was not ruthless enough to be a successful military commander.[17] His officers complained saying "His love of life was too great, a thought came to him, then another, so he could not settle on a firm decision ..."[18] Rall avoided hard work and had little concern for his troops' comfort.[18]
Trenton had no walls or fortifications, which was common with American settlements.[19] Some of the Hessian officers advised Rall to fortify the town, and two of the engineers and advised that a redoubt be constructed at the upper end of town, and that fortifications should be built along the river.[19] The engineers went as far as to draw up plans, but Rall disagreed with them. As Christmas approached, Loyalists came to the town with reports that the Americans were planning something.[20] Even some American deserters told the Hessians that rations were being prepared to cross the river. Rall publicly dismissed all of this talk as nonsense, but privately in letters to his superiors, he expressed that he was worried of an imminent attack.[20] He wrote to Donop that he was "liable to be attacked an any moment". Rall said that Trenton was "indefensible" and asked that British troops establish a garrison in Maidenhead, which was closer to Trenton and would help keep the roads open from Americans. His request was declined.[21] As the Americans began to disrupt the Hessian supply lines, the officers started to share Rall's fears. One wrote "We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place."[22] On December 22, a spy reported to Grant that Washington had called a council of war; Grant told Rall to "be on your guard".[23]
The main force of 1,500 men was divided into three regiments: Knyphausen, Lossberg and Rall. That night they had not sent out any patrols because of the severe weather.[24] The winner of this battle were the Americans. The Hessians lost Major General Johann Rall in this battle.

I found this work on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_trenton