About eight in the morning both parties arrived near the village of
Trenton. General Washington, who rode near the front of his column,
asked a man who was chopping wood by the roadside:
"Which way is the Hessian Picket?"
"I don't know," replied the Jerseyman, unwilling to commit himself.
"You may speak," said one of the American officers, "for that is General
Washington."
The man raised his hands to heaven and exclaimed: "God bless and prosper
you, sir! The picket is in that house, and the sentry stands near that
tree."
General Washington instantly ordered an advance. As his men marched
rapidly toward the village with a cheer, Colonel Stark and his band
answered the shout and rushed upon the enemy.
The Hessians made a brief attempt at resistance; first, by a wild and
useless fire from windows, and then by an attempt to form in the main
street of the village. This was at once frustrated by Captain T. Forest,
who commanded the battery of six guns which had caused much trouble and
delay in crossing the river.
At the same time Captain William Washington and Lieutenant James Monroe,
afterward President, ran forward with a party to where the Hessians were
attempting to establish a battery, drove the artillerists from their
guns, and captured two of them, just as they were ready to be
discharged.
Pages:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41