Page 58 - ASM Book 9/2020

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In 1776, King George III hired 30,000 German Hessians to fight with the Redcoats
against the Americans.
Washington Caught Hessians Off-Guard christmas Night
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The sleepy Hessians were caught off-guard during the early morning of December 26 and were completely surrounded. Since they had partied and were drunk from their Christmas celebration, they were slow in getting up and preparing for battle. They surrendered after a short battle that killed 22, wounded 83, with more than 1,000 captured. The American casualties were light – 2 killed and 5 wounded.
This victory was a big morale boost for the Continental soldiers, and a large supply of muskets, bayonets, swords, cannons, and other supplies were captured. It was good news for the colonists too.
eneral Washington led his Continental Army across the frozen Delaware River on Christmas night of 1776 and attacked 1,400 Hessians garrisoned at Trenton, New Jersey. It was a difficult and dangerous crossing that took longer and was more difficult than Washington had anticipated.