Both these young officers were wounded. Colonel Stark during the brief
combat, as Wilkinson reports, "dealt death wherever he found resistance,
and broke down all opposition before him."
Colonel Rahl, who commanded the post, was roused from a deep sleep by
the noise of Washington's fire. He did all that was possible to form his
panic-stricken and disordered troops, but soon fell from his horse
mortally wounded. From that moment, the day was lost to the Hessians.
During the combat, General Washington remained near Captain Forest's
battery, directing the fire. He had just ordered the whole battery,
charged with canister, to be turned upon the retreating enemy, when
Captain Forest, pointing to the flagstaff near Rahl's headquarters,
cried, "Sir, they have struck!"
"Struck!" exclaimed General Washington.
"Yes," said Forest; "their colors are down."
"So they are!" said the commander.
General Washington galloped toward them, followed by all the
artillerymen, who wished to see the ceremony of surrender. He rode up to
where Colonel Rahl had fallen. The wounded man, assisted by soldiers on
each side of him, got upon his feet, and presented his sword to the
victor.
At this moment Wilkinson, who had been sent away with orders, returned
to his general, and witnessed the surrender.
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