The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-05-12
John Cadwalader.

Jonn CadWalader.
John Cadwalader was born in PHILADELPHIA.
was distinguished for his jealous and inAexible
adherence to the cause of America, and for his
intrepidity as soldier, in upholding that cause
during the most diseouraging periods of danger
and misfortune
At the dawn of the reyolatioM, he commanded
corps of volunteers, designated in division as
" the SIX stocking company" of which nearly
all the members were appointed to commissions
in the line of the army. He afterwards was ap
pointed colonel of one of the city battalions and
being thence promoted to the rank of brigadier
General, was intrusted with the command of the
Pennsylvania troops in 177s. He carried ON
important operations, especially in the winter
campaign. He acted with his command as
volunteer, in the actions OF Princeton, Brandy
wine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and other
occasions; and received the thanks of General
Washington, whose confidence and regard he
uniformly enjoyed.
When Gen. Washington determined to attack
the British and Hessan troops at Trenton, he
assigned him the command of division
In the evening of Christmas day, 1875, Ger
Washington made arrangements to pass the riv-
er Delaware, in three divisions: one, consisting
of 500 men, under General Cadwalader, from
the vicinity of Bristol a second division under
the command of Gen. Irvine, was to cross at the
Trenton ferry, and secure the bridge leading to
the town.
General CadwaIader and Irvine made every
exertion to get over, but the quantity of ice was
SO great that they could not effect their pur-
pose.
The third, and main body, which was COM
manded by Gen. Washington crossed at Nc
Konkey's ferry but the ice in the river retarded
their passage so long, that it vas three O'Clock
in the morning before the artillery could be got
over. On their landing in New Jersey, thev
were formed into two divisions, commanded by
General Sullivan and Greene, who had under
their command Brigadiers Lord Sterling, { Wil-
liam, Alegandre) Gen. Mercer, and st. Clair :;
one of these divisions was ordered to proceed on
the lower, or river road, the other On the upper,
| Bloomington road.
Col Stark, with some light troops was also
directed to advance near to the river, and to pcs
ses himself of that part of the town, which is be-
yond the Assanpink The divisions having
nearly the same distance to march, we're ordered
Immediately on forcing the out guards to push
directly into Trenton, that they might charge
the enemy before they had time to form.
Though they marched different roads, yet they
arrived at the enemys advanced post within three
minutes of each other. The out guards of the
Hessians troops at Trenton soon fell back, but
kept up a constant retreating FIRE. Their main
body being hard pressed by the Americans, who
had already got possession of half their artillery
attempted to file off by road leading towards
Princeton, but were checked by body of troops
thrown in their way.
Finding they were surrounded, they laid down
their arms The number which submitted, was
twenty three officers and eight hundred and
eighty -six men. Between thirty and forty Of
the Hessians were killed and wounded. Colonel
Rail- the commander ofthe Hessians, was among
the killed and seven of his officers were wounded.
Capt. Washington, of the Virginia troops, and
FIVE or six of the American soldiers were wounded.
Two were killed, and two or three we're frozen
to death
The detachment in Trenton, consisting of the
regiments of Rail, Losberg, and Kniphausen.
amounting in the whole to about fifteen hundred
men, and troop of British light horse All
these were killed or captured, except about six
hundred, who escaped BY the road leading to
Bordentown.
The British had strong battalion Of light in
fantry at Princeton, and force yet remaining
near the Delaware, superior to the American
army.
General Washington therefore, in the evening
of the same day, thought it most prudent to re,
cross into Pennsylvania with hismrisoners.
tTo BE eoSTISUxDl