978-1-4222-3353-5

Times That Try Men’s Souls

37

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.