Princeton Chapter, NSDAR
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON
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"Clyde (1880) dramatically describes Cornwallis' reaction when he realized Washington had outwitted him: On the morning of January 3rd, 1777, at Trenton, the British commander opened his eyes to behold smoldering [sic] camp fires where had been the host which the night before dealt out death and defeat to his proud battalions. They were gone, but where! Not knowing what moment they might attack him from the most unexpected quarter, and with a mind full of amazement and bewilderment, a strange sound falls upon his ear. Can it be thunder from out of a clear and crisp wintry sky? No, it is the voice of the enemy's artillery in his rear, and between him and his base of supplies. (p. 63). The journal of Captain Thomas Rodney (Stryker, 1898) provides an eyewitness account of the night march from Trenton and the Battle of Princeton:
January 3rd 1777.
At two o'clock this morning, the ground having been frozen firm by a keen N. West wind, secret orders were issued to each department and the whole army was at once put in motion, but no one knew what the Gen. meant to do. Some thought that we were going to attack the enemy in the rear ; some that we were going to Princeton : the latter proved to be right. We went by a bye road on the right hand which made it about 16 miles. During this nocturnal march I with the Dover Company and the Red Feather Company of Philadelphia Light Infantry led the van of the army and Capt. Henry with the other three companies of Philadelphia Light Infantry brought up the rear. The van moved on all night in the most cool and determined order, but on the march great confusion happened in the rear. There was a cry that they were surrounded by the Hessians and several corps of Militia broke and fled towards Bordentown, but the rest of the column remained firm and pursued their march without disorder, but those who were frightened and fled did not recover from their panic until they reached Burlington. When we had proceeded to within a mile and a half of Princeton and the van had crossed Stony Brook, Gen. Washington ordered our Infantry to file off to one side of the road and halt. Gen. Sullivan was ordered to wheel to the right and flank the town on that side, and two Brigades were ordered to wheel to the left, to make a circuit and surround the town on that side and as they went to break down the Bridge and post a party at the mill on the main road, to oppose the enemy's main army if they should pursue us from Trenton. The third Division was composed of Gen. Mercer's Brigade of Continental troops, about 300 men, and Cadwalader's brigade of Philadelphia Militia to which brigade the whole of our Light Infantry Regiment was again annexed. Mercer's brigade marched in front and another corps of infantry brought up the rear. My company flanked the whole brigade on the right in an Indian file so that my men were very much extended and distant from each other ; I marched in front and was followed by Sarjeant [sic] McKnatt and next to him was Nehemiah Tilton. Mercer's Brigade which was headed by Col. Haslet of Delaware on foot and Gen. Mercer on horseback was to march straight on to Princeton without turning to the right or left.
It so happened that two Regiments of British troops that were on their march to Trenton to reinforce their army there, received intelligence of the movements of the American Army (for the sun rose as we passed over Stony Brook) and about a mile from Princeton they turned off from the main road and posted themselves behind a long string of buildings and an orchard on the straight road to Princeton. The two first Divisions of our army therefore passed wide to the right and left, and leaving them undiscovered went in to Princeton. Gen. Mercer's Brigade, owing to some delay in arranging Cadwalader's men, had advanced several hundred yards ahead and never discovered the enemy until he was turning the buildings they were posted behind, and then they were not more than fifty yards off. He immediately formed his men, with great courage, and poured a heavy fire in upon the enemy. But they being greatly superior in number returned the fire and charged bayonets, and their onset was so fierce that Gen. Mercer fell mortally wounded and many of his officers were killed, and the brigades being effectually broken up, began a disorderly flight. Col. Haslet retired some small distance behind the buildings and endeavored to rally them, but receiving a bullet through his head, dropped dead on the spot and the whole brigade fled in confusion. At this instant Gen. Cadwalader's Philadelphia Brigade came up and the enemy checked by their appearance took post behind a fence and a ditch in front of the buildings before mentioned, and so extended themselves that every man could load and fire incessantly ; the fence stood on low ground between two hills ; on the hill behind the British line they had eight pieces of artillery which played incessantly with round and grape shot on our brigade, and the fire was extremely hot. Yet Gen. Cadwalader led up the head of the column with the greatest bravery to within 50 yards of the enemy, but this was rashly done, for he was obliged to recoil ; and leaving one piece of his artillery, he fell back about 40 yards and endeavored to form the brigade, and some companies did form and gave a few vollies, [sic] but the fire of the enemy was so hot, that, at the sight of the Regular troops running to the rear, the militia gave way and the whole brigade broke and most of them retired to a woods about 150 yards in the rear: But two pieces of artillery stood their ground and were served with great skill and bravery.
At this time a field officer was sent to order me to take post on the left of the artillery, until the brigade should form again, and, with the Philadelphia Infantry keep up a fire from some stacks and buildings, and to assist the artillery in preventing the enemy from advancing. We now crossed the enemy's fire from right to left and took position behind some stacks just on the left of the artillery ; and about 30 of the Philadelphia Infantry were under cover of a house on our left and a little in the rear. About 150 of my men came to this post, but I could not keep them all there, for the enemies fire was dreadful and three balls, for they were very thick, had grazed me : one passed within my elbow nicking my great coat and carried away the breech of Serjeant McKnatt's gun, he being close behind me, another carried away the inside edge of one of my shoe soles, another had nicked my hat and indeed they seemed as thick as hail. From these stacks and buildings we, with the two pieces of Artillery kept up a continuous fire on the enemy, and in all probability it was this circumstance that prevented the enemy from advancing, for they could not tell the number we had posted behind these covers and were afraid to attempt passing them ; but if they had known how few they were they might easily have advanced while the two brigades were in confusion and routed the whole body, for it was a long time, before they could be reorganized again, and indeed many, that were panic struck, ran quite off.
Gen. Washington having rallied both Gen. Mercer's and Gen. Cadwalader's brigade, they moved forward and when they came to where the Artillery stood began a very heavy platoon fire on the march. This the enemy bore but a few minutes and then threw down their arms and ran. We then pushed forwards towards the town spreading over the fields and through the woods to enclose the enemy and take prisoners. The fields were covered with baggage, which the Gen. ordered to be taken care of. Our whole force met at the Court House and took there about 200 prisoners and about 200 others pushed off and were pursued by advanced parties who took about 50 more. In this engagement we lost about 20 killed, the enemy about 100 men killed and lost the field. This is a very pretty little town on the York road 12 miles from Trenton ; the houses are built of brick and are very elegant especially the College which has 52 rooms in it; but the whole town has been ravaged and ruined by the enemy."
Clyde, J. (1880) Rosbrugh, tale of the Revolution, or life, labors, and death of Rev. John Rosbrugh. Easton.
Retrieved August 26, 2014
January 3rd 1777.
At two o'clock this morning, the ground having been frozen firm by a keen N. West wind, secret orders were issued to each department and the whole army was at once put in motion, but no one knew what the Gen. meant to do. Some thought that we were going to attack the enemy in the rear ; some that we were going to Princeton : the latter proved to be right. We went by a bye road on the right hand which made it about 16 miles. During this nocturnal march I with the Dover Company and the Red Feather Company of Philadelphia Light Infantry led the van of the army and Capt. Henry with the other three companies of Philadelphia Light Infantry brought up the rear. The van moved on all night in the most cool and determined order, but on the march great confusion happened in the rear. There was a cry that they were surrounded by the Hessians and several corps of Militia broke and fled towards Bordentown, but the rest of the column remained firm and pursued their march without disorder, but those who were frightened and fled did not recover from their panic until they reached Burlington. When we had proceeded to within a mile and a half of Princeton and the van had crossed Stony Brook, Gen. Washington ordered our Infantry to file off to one side of the road and halt. Gen. Sullivan was ordered to wheel to the right and flank the town on that side, and two Brigades were ordered to wheel to the left, to make a circuit and surround the town on that side and as they went to break down the Bridge and post a party at the mill on the main road, to oppose the enemy's main army if they should pursue us from Trenton. The third Division was composed of Gen. Mercer's Brigade of Continental troops, about 300 men, and Cadwalader's brigade of Philadelphia Militia to which brigade the whole of our Light Infantry Regiment was again annexed. Mercer's brigade marched in front and another corps of infantry brought up the rear. My company flanked the whole brigade on the right in an Indian file so that my men were very much extended and distant from each other ; I marched in front and was followed by Sarjeant [sic] McKnatt and next to him was Nehemiah Tilton. Mercer's Brigade which was headed by Col. Haslet of Delaware on foot and Gen. Mercer on horseback was to march straight on to Princeton without turning to the right or left.
It so happened that two Regiments of British troops that were on their march to Trenton to reinforce their army there, received intelligence of the movements of the American Army (for the sun rose as we passed over Stony Brook) and about a mile from Princeton they turned off from the main road and posted themselves behind a long string of buildings and an orchard on the straight road to Princeton. The two first Divisions of our army therefore passed wide to the right and left, and leaving them undiscovered went in to Princeton. Gen. Mercer's Brigade, owing to some delay in arranging Cadwalader's men, had advanced several hundred yards ahead and never discovered the enemy until he was turning the buildings they were posted behind, and then they were not more than fifty yards off. He immediately formed his men, with great courage, and poured a heavy fire in upon the enemy. But they being greatly superior in number returned the fire and charged bayonets, and their onset was so fierce that Gen. Mercer fell mortally wounded and many of his officers were killed, and the brigades being effectually broken up, began a disorderly flight. Col. Haslet retired some small distance behind the buildings and endeavored to rally them, but receiving a bullet through his head, dropped dead on the spot and the whole brigade fled in confusion. At this instant Gen. Cadwalader's Philadelphia Brigade came up and the enemy checked by their appearance took post behind a fence and a ditch in front of the buildings before mentioned, and so extended themselves that every man could load and fire incessantly ; the fence stood on low ground between two hills ; on the hill behind the British line they had eight pieces of artillery which played incessantly with round and grape shot on our brigade, and the fire was extremely hot. Yet Gen. Cadwalader led up the head of the column with the greatest bravery to within 50 yards of the enemy, but this was rashly done, for he was obliged to recoil ; and leaving one piece of his artillery, he fell back about 40 yards and endeavored to form the brigade, and some companies did form and gave a few vollies, [sic] but the fire of the enemy was so hot, that, at the sight of the Regular troops running to the rear, the militia gave way and the whole brigade broke and most of them retired to a woods about 150 yards in the rear: But two pieces of artillery stood their ground and were served with great skill and bravery.
At this time a field officer was sent to order me to take post on the left of the artillery, until the brigade should form again, and, with the Philadelphia Infantry keep up a fire from some stacks and buildings, and to assist the artillery in preventing the enemy from advancing. We now crossed the enemy's fire from right to left and took position behind some stacks just on the left of the artillery ; and about 30 of the Philadelphia Infantry were under cover of a house on our left and a little in the rear. About 150 of my men came to this post, but I could not keep them all there, for the enemies fire was dreadful and three balls, for they were very thick, had grazed me : one passed within my elbow nicking my great coat and carried away the breech of Serjeant McKnatt's gun, he being close behind me, another carried away the inside edge of one of my shoe soles, another had nicked my hat and indeed they seemed as thick as hail. From these stacks and buildings we, with the two pieces of Artillery kept up a continuous fire on the enemy, and in all probability it was this circumstance that prevented the enemy from advancing, for they could not tell the number we had posted behind these covers and were afraid to attempt passing them ; but if they had known how few they were they might easily have advanced while the two brigades were in confusion and routed the whole body, for it was a long time, before they could be reorganized again, and indeed many, that were panic struck, ran quite off.
Gen. Washington having rallied both Gen. Mercer's and Gen. Cadwalader's brigade, they moved forward and when they came to where the Artillery stood began a very heavy platoon fire on the march. This the enemy bore but a few minutes and then threw down their arms and ran. We then pushed forwards towards the town spreading over the fields and through the woods to enclose the enemy and take prisoners. The fields were covered with baggage, which the Gen. ordered to be taken care of. Our whole force met at the Court House and took there about 200 prisoners and about 200 others pushed off and were pursued by advanced parties who took about 50 more. In this engagement we lost about 20 killed, the enemy about 100 men killed and lost the field. This is a very pretty little town on the York road 12 miles from Trenton ; the houses are built of brick and are very elegant especially the College which has 52 rooms in it; but the whole town has been ravaged and ruined by the enemy."
Clyde, J. (1880) Rosbrugh, tale of the Revolution, or life, labors, and death of Rev. John Rosbrugh. Easton.
Retrieved August 26, 2014
Princeton Battle Monument 100th anniversary.
PatriotsA Samuel Andrews Asher Applegate B William Ball Samuel Billingsley Aquilla Blakely Cornelius Blanchard John Blanchard De Walt Bonebrake Hugh Boone Andrew Brinker Ulrich Brinker Jabez Brown George Brown Henry Brumback Phineas Butler, Sr. C Eleazer Carter Edward Patterson Cook Andrew Crockett Amos Culver D William Darrow Ludwig Dorman David Downing Samuel Downing Jacob Du Bois E Amos Emerson F Benjamin Franklin H John Hall George Henry Hartzell Cornelius Hatfield Moses Hemingway Daniel Hendrickson John Heneberger Obadiah Higbee Samuel Hill Jacob Hinds Alexander Holmes J David Jackson Philip Judd K Christopher Keller Francis Kirby Francis Kirkpatrick Moses Kitchell Frederick Kleinhans L Charles Lander Paul Langdon Francis Legross John Levering Seth Lyman M Reuben Martin Benjamin Marvin, Sr. John Mccune Samuel Merrill, Sr. Samuel Mershon William Mershon William Mills John Mosher John Mott Joseph Mott N John Noble O James Ownbey John Ownbey P Jacob Palmer Robert Pearson Joseph Phillips, Jr. Josiah Porter John Potter R Stephen Ranney Isaac Ross S Joshua Saffell William Sharp William Simms John Simpson Micajah Smithson Isaac Stevens Robert Stockton Peter Stryker T Thomas Terry Edward Turner V William Van Cleve Cornelius Van Liew W Jerome Waldron Drisco Wentworth Jonathan Whitcomb John Wilkins Richard Wright, Sr. Y Thomas Yeatman |
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Princeton Battlefield Monument
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Reenactment of the Princeton Battlefield, teaches attendees about the Battle of Princeton which took place on January 3, 1777, and was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War and the first battle that the Continental Army won against professional British soldiers.
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