General Washington decided to play offense and crossed the Delaware River under the cover of darkened on Christmas night. During the ambush of Trenton, the continental army managed to capture approximately 1,000 Hessian troops. At this point British commander Cornwallis tried to retake Trenton, Washington successfully outmaneuvered Cornwallis and successfully attacked the British fortifications at Princeton a week later after attacking Trenton. Washington had successfully defeated the British and retook the colony of New Jersey from the British. Since Washington lacked common sense and tactfulness during his campaign on long island, he needed to renew himself. Washington changed that by the success of the New Jersey Campaign. He was successful that he was able to keep the continental army still alive and to force the British to withdraw from New jersey. The success of the New Jersey campaign was able to keep the revolution alive. During the ambush of Princeton and Trenton Washington relied of the help of militiamen from Pennsylvania. The success of the militia would not impact the outcome of the mission if the militia were to fail their mission. This experience Washington gained during Trenton and Princeton carried him through the revolutionary war. He learned how to incorporate the militia within the regular army. Washington implemented new techniques of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the militia. When Washington retreated into Delaware, he left spies in order to gain information of the British fortification. One known source was john Honeyman of Girggstown, New Jersey. Honeyman had been a solider during the french and Indian war. Honeyman was aware of the fort manned at Trenton by the …show more content…
Washington showed courage by attacking across the Delaware into Trenton. He was able to maintain the public morale of the continental army, which is vital to any army campaign. If the people don’t support the troops then, the war is already lost. Washington displayed personal courage when he rode in on horseback at a critical point during the ambush and rallied the troops. George Washington took a gamble when he attacked the British during the harsh winter conditions with a less than sub-par army. The victory was a strategic victory Washington use the element of surprise and key reconnaissance to his