The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-30

Princeton, twelve miles from Trenton
where the spacious stone college afforded
good quarters, 1t was soon learned that
1000 men were marching on Trenton
under CORVALLIS, TO attack the Amerl-
cans. Washington perceived his position
to be one of great danger. He could not
recross the Delaware without impairing
confidence and he could not remain
without giving battle. The happiest
New Year call ever known in America
was that made by General Cadwalader
on General Washington, with a strong
reinforcement, January l, 1777.
The next day CORVALLIS was close at
hand. And before night all that separat-
ed the two armies was small stream
(the Assunpink) The water was deep
though narrow, and the only bridge was
covered by an American battery. Several
times the enemy sought to cross but were
repulsed, and each repulse brought a
shout from the defenders. The assailants
halted for the night and lit their camp
fires, and the Americans did the same.
A British officer urged CORVALLIS to
make the attack Immediately, but the
latter preferred to wait until daylight.
Never did such danger overhang the
American cause. save at Long Island.
In front was the enemy in triple force;
behind was the Delaware bristling with
ice. A bold expedient is born of neces-
sity. 1t is midnight march to Prince
ton. One objection to this was the con-
dition of the roads, which recent thaw
had turned into mud but, providentially,
the weather changes and freezing wind
soon hardens the track. Every prepara-
ton is made for rapid march. To de-
ceive the enemy trenching party is set
at work near by, with orders to remain
until daybreak and to make all possible
noise, while the camp fires are to be kept
ablaze all night.
By l2 O'Clock the march is begun
Mercer is in advance with three hundred
and fifty picked men, and Washington
follows with the main body. By day
light the Americans are in sight of
Princeton. A body of British troops
had left the latter place before dawn to
Join CORVALLIS. This body was aston
ished to find Washington so near, and at
first supposed his men to be fugitives
from Trenton, s,Nm
A desperate fight took place. the strug-
gle being intensified by the presence OF
the gallant General Mercer The Ameri-
cans, weary from a heavy march, fought
at disadvantage. Mercer was mortally
wounded, and his forces were in disorder
when the commander-in-chief appeared
with the main force At this time of day
Washington changed the fortunes of the
day by rallying the broken ranks and
leading the charge.
This was one of thegrandest spectacles
ever witnessed during the Revolution,
and the British were defeated. But this
was not ALL A portion of the American
force continued its march to Princeton
even while the action was raging, and
met another British detachment which
was likewise defeated. This last battle
ground is now occupied by the Theologi-
cal Seminary, and is half mile distant
from the college. where briefresistance
was attempted. Before 10 o'clock the
action was over and Washington could
estimate the fruits of his strategy,
He had not only escaped Corvallis
JTlpple lOTCeS, DuJ udu IuTueu IeII0dC w
victory. One hundred Of the enemy
were slain and three hundred were cap
tured, including fourteen officers. The
Americans lost thirty men, chief among
whom was the gallant General Mercer,
of whom it might be said no man fell in
the Revolutionary struggle who was more
deeply lamented either for valor or for
private virtues. Trenton was Christmas
and Princeton was New Year, and these
were the most brilliant holidays of the
Revolution,