Ten Facts About the Battle of Princeton: Sneaking Away and That 'Intelligent Young Gentleman'

From George Washington's Mount Vernon.

The American victory at the Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777)  was one of the most consequential f the American Revolution.  George Washington and his soldiers marched north from Trenton and attacked a British force south of Princeton.

Washington's victory  bolstered American  morale and provided  great confidence to his soldiers.

1.  WASHINGTON ESCAPED ONE ENEMY TO ATTACK ANOTHER AT PRINCETON.

The Americans had been able to repulse several attacks on January 2 at the Battle of Assunpink Creek (Battle of Second  Trenton), but still had the prospects of an all-out attack by  Gen. Charles Cornwallis' 8,000 man British Army the next day.

They were able to slip away through deceptive campfires and quietness to attack Princeton.

2.  "A VERY INTELLIGENT YOUNG GENTLEMAN" PROVIDED WASHINGTON WITH INTELLIGENCE.

Col. John Cadwalader was able to get detailed information and a map from this "intelligent young gentleman."  They didn't say who he was, though. But Washington had a detailed map of the British defenses and positions at Princeton.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Princeton-- Part 1

From American Battlefield Trust.

I was  aware of the Battle of Trenton, one great surprise attack, but really didn't know what happened afterwards.  Now, I know.

After crossing the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, and surprising the British at Trenton the next morning, George Washington embarked on a ten-day campaign  that would change the course of the war.  Culminating in the Battle of Princeton on on January 3, 1777, Washington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and proved his amateur army could defeat the British.

The Battle of Princeton was a classic meeting engagement, with both sides stumbling into each other, and neither expecting to fight on the ground where the battle raged.  Initially, the British commander, Charles Mawhood, marched his force south towards Trenton to meet the main British Army, when he spotted the American column.

Washington had stolen a march on Charles Lord Cornwallis, slipping away  from the British forces along Assunpink Creek the night before.

--Brock-Perry

Civil War Trust Battles of October-- Part 2: John Brown's Raid

14th--  1863:  Battle of Bristoe Station, Va.

16th--  1859:  John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry, Va. (now W. Va.) begins and lasts for three days.

18th--  1859:  U.S. Marines storm engine house at Harpers Ferry and capture John Brown

19th--  1781:  British General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, Va.

19th--  1864:  Battle of Cedar Creek, Va.

21st--  1861:  Battle of Ball's Bluff (Leesburg), Va.

25th--  1864:  Battle of Mine Creek, Kansas

--Cooter

North Carolina in the American Revolution-- Part 2: Battle of Peacock's Bridge

From the Carolana site.

In the last post, I listed four engagements in the state of North Carolina, one being the Battle of Peacock's Bridge.  I'd never heard of it before so further research was needed.

This battle occurred early in Cornwallis' move from Wilmington to Virginia in 1781.  He had been defeated at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and was recuperating in Wilmington.  He sent Lt.Col. Banastre Tarleton's Legion forward toward Virginia to gather intelligence and to force mills along the way to grind grain for the British.

His troops consisted of 180 dragoons and a few light companies of the 82nd Regiment and the Royal North Carolina Regiment of Loyalists.  All were mounted.

On the banks of the Contentnea Creek, Col. James Gorham and 400 Pitt County militia met Tarleton's force at Peacock's Bridge.  The dragoons galloped across the bridge and easily scattered the Patriots.

This took place in Wilson County, N.C., near the Wayne and Greene County border.

--Cooter