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Times That Try Men’s Souls
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The Revolution Revived
Washington was determined to make one last effort to save the Revolu-
tion. On Christmas night, he led 2,400 troops across the Delaware River
in the midst of a fierce winter storm. They landed about nine miles north
of Trenton.
After a grueling march, Washington and his men reached Trenton
around 8 am on December 26. The Americans quickly descended on the
Hessian garrison occupying the town. Fighting raged for about an hour
before the German professional soldiers surrendered. American casual-
ties totaled just four wounded. Meanwhile, about 20 Hessians had been
killed, and another 90 or so wounded. The Americans took 900 prisoners.
News of the victory at Trenton electrified Patriots across the nation. More
important, the majority of Washington’s troops reenlisted. On January 3,
1777, Washington led them to another victory, at the Battle of Princeton.
The cause of independence remained alive.
Text-dependent questions
1. What were the Heights of Guan?
2. Rifles were much more accurate than muskets. So why
were most troops outfitted with muskets?
3. Which battle was fought on December 26, 1776? Why
was the American victory in that battle so important?
Research project
During the Revolutionary War, some women—Patriots as well
as Loyalists—risked their lives to serve as spies. Check out the website
of the National Women’s History Museum
(https://www.nwhm.
org/online-exhibits/spies/2.htm). Choose one of the spies profiled
there, and gather as much information about her as you can from
other sources.
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