Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-02-02
Evolutionary Shettb.
THE BATTLE OF TRENTON.

The following interesting account Of the
battle Of Trenton is believed to be the most
particular and authentic yet given to the
world. 1t is from No. l3 Of the series of his
torical articles published in the State GQsene
at Trenton. March II. ls43
On Wednesday, the 25th Of December,
l7TG, General Washington with his army,
was on the west bank of the Delaware, en-
camped near Tayorsville, then NIX onkey's
ferry, miles above Trenton. The troops
under Gen. Dickinson were at Ya,dleyvile !;
and detachments were encamped still farther
up the river The boats on the river had all
been secured when Gen. Washington had
crossed with his army on the first of this
month. The Pennsylvania troops were in
two bodies; one at Bristol under General
Cadwalader, and the other at Morrsville,
opposite Trenton, under General Ewing
Al this time the British under Gen. Howe
were stationed in detachments at Mount II OIL
ly, Black Horse. Burlington and Bordentown
and at Trenton there were three regiments
Of Hessians, amounting to about 1900 men.
and troop of British iight-horse. Divisions
OF the army were also at Princeton any New
Brunswick.
One part Of the plan Of Washington was
TO recross the DelaNa are with his army at NJ
konkey's ferry. in the night Of the 25th Of
December, and for Gen. Ewing, with the part
OF the army under his command, 10 cross at
or below Trenton--thus both might fall upon
the enemy at the same time Ewing at the
south, and General Washington at the north
end Of the town.
| At dusk, thee Continental troops, comman-
ded by General Washington in person
amounting to 24n0 men, with 20 pieces of ar.
tillery, began TO cross at M'Konkeys ferry.
The troops ut Yardleyvile and the stations
above, had that day assembled at this ferry.
Among the prominent and active men who
were employed in ferrying over the troops
Uriah Slack, William Green and David Lam
| ing. 1t was between and A o'clock in the
mJrning before all the artillery and troops
were over and ready to march Many Of the
men were very destitute as regarded clothing.
The present Mr.. George Muirheid, Of Hope
well, informed the writer that he noticed one
man whose pan;aloons were ragged. and who
had on neither stockings nor shoes. The
ground was covered with sleet and snow,
which was falling although before that day
there was no snow, or only a little sprinking
on the ground. Gen. Washington, (who had
sat in silence on beehive, wrapped in his
cloak, while his troops were crossiEg,) as they
were about to march, enjoined upon all pro-
found silence during their march to Trenton.
and said to them, "Ihope that you uiH all
fight like men,"
Gen. Washington wished TO get IL men
who should be mounted on horseback. with
out arms or uniform, in plair farmers habit,
to ride before the army, to reconnoitre and
get what information they could, with respect
to to the British army, their outguards, &c.
There were but three who would volunteer
Tor this service these were David Laning,
ol Trenton and John Muirheid and John
Guild, OF Hopewell. The following persons
were also guides and march, d with the army
W.; Col. Joseph Phillips. Capt. Philip
rhiiiips, and Aujutant Elias Phillips, OF
Maidenhead Joseph Insler, Edon Bur.
roughs, Ephraim Woolsey and Henry Sim.
monds, OF llopewell and Capt. j ohm Mott
Amos Scuder and William Green, of Tren.
ton.
The army marched with quick step in q
body from the river up The cross-road TO the
Bear Tavern, about a mile from the river
The whole army marched down this road tc
the village OF Birmingham, distant about 81
miles. There they halted, examined theiI
primng and found it all wet. Capt. Mott
who had taken the precaution to wrap his
handkerchief around the lock of his gun. found
notwithstanding, the priming was wet
well" says General Sullivan. I'VE must
then hight them with the bayonet" From
Birmingham to Trenton, the distance by th,
Ricer road and the Scotch road is nearly equal
being about 4t miles.
The troops were formed in two divisions
One of them, commanded by Gen. Sullivan
marched down by the river road. The other
commanded by General Washington, accom-
panied by Generals Lord Stirling. Green
Mercer and Stevens, with David Laning anG
Others for their guides.l fled of to the left
crossed over to the Scotch road, and wen
down this road till it enters the Pennington
road, about mile above Trenton. Scarcel,
! word was spoken from the time the troop,