The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-28
An OLD BATTLE REF0UGIIT.
TRENTON'S STRFErS RTSOtNDING
dG1lN 7HL ms or BfR.
a Mock FIeht Between Gcn. Wnshiurt0u's
Forces and the Iies-inns- Alao some Events
that Did not Happen on Dec. ~, 1875.

Mock Flight Between tcn. Wnshiurtou's
Forces aud the Iie--inns- ALSO some Events
that Did not Happen on Dec. -, 1910.
Trenton awoke yesterday morning i'm n
fcrvor Of patriotism. PuDllc buildings and many
private stores and residences wrc decor ted,
and the city wore a holiday appearance. 1t was
the ninety ninth anniversary II the battle OF
Tfenton, and the residents had made preuara-
tons to celebrate becOmnglS the surrender of
Col. Rahrs command to Gen. Washington. The
feature OF the day was to be n shan battle. rep
resenting the stubborn Grht in the streets Of
Trenton, and the final capture OF the Hessian
troops, after their commander had fallen, NOR
lily wounded. Company q OF the Seventh Reg
iment formed the nucleus Of the patriot army,
the ret 81 Washinc.on's forces hoing composed
OF "A somewhat grotesoueiy attred throng Of
not wholly unlike thnt'uf the poorly olai and
almost disheartened band who fought In tho
sane streets ne rlv century ago.
The night preceding the battle whose anniver-
was celebrated. Washington. with his fol-
lowers crossed the Delaware cignt miles above
Trenton, and, correctly surmi Ing that their
Christmas carcusns might leave his IIessi,
opponents in bad Knitting order. he moved upon
thcir position ~ early M prdctic BILE IN tho
morning; not so early. however, as he had IN
tended, AMI the unexpected delays.he encoun-
tered gave his opponents time to recover from
the effects OF the previous nights dissipation.
They we're not taken entirely by surprise. and
retrented, hchting ohstinatcly, over two miles
OF ground. Then Col. Rahl fell. and his success
sor Ia command soon aftcrward sui rendered.
The part Of the programme relating to the
passage OF the Delaware was not enacted yes
terday. but soon after $ O'Clock, Gen. Washing
ton represented Dy Mr. Peter wilkes, led his
forces to West Hanover street, where the Hes
81 ms. under Mr. ADiiah Anderson, VINO per
sonated Gen. Kahl. were awaiting them A
vigorous attack wa made by the patriots, and
the streets Of Trenton resuunded with the roar
Of tho artillery which under the dire rtinn OF
MIR Ernest c. Stanl, played upon ths enemy
vi h deettuctye ana deuufailing effect. Su
the llessians fought RallantlN. and II was not
until Gen sullivan. with the second division,
marched through a side street and took them in
the rear, that their ranks began to break. They
were ruthle-sly driven down State street, and
the First Division was pressing hard upon then,
raLing them with snot and shell, when Assam
pink creek WAS Preached. Had the history OF
the battle been risidly adhered to, Col. kahl,
having fallen somewhere IN the neigh hborhood
OF arren and Perry streets, should have been
carried into an inn. aud afterward transferred 10
commander tolrescntNtiyc, however, WAS fat
too good "a soldier to retire from the battle so
long ~ any prospect existed of moro nghtng.
lte refused 70 Teltnqui-h his onicc. and at the
juno lion OF Washington and Front streets, fnd-
ng further resistance useless. he surrendered
ms sword u Gen; MasningtOui hut he urged
that had the battle been real one he could
have captured the great r part Of tue enemy's
artillery. winch. lie SAID, IesscdHujudic cloulsy
close upon him. and turned the defes. into
The Iessian. laid down their arm. almost ex-
Actly opposite Washington MarGe' House.
precise spot ON wnich Col, liani's cominand AZ
the close OF the real battle OF Trenton surrcn-
dered to Gen. Washington. Tne place
almost wilderness then. ana the mD.tants,
II they break lasted at ALL must have cooked
their own food In the most primitive manner.
Not 50 yesterday; collation. had been spscad
In the house, and ylctors aud vanqushed all 10
Ceived tickets emitting them to their dinners.
But before sitting down TO the mea' Hess'ans
and Americans formed In procession and pd-
faded amicably side by side through the streets
OF Trenton uuui eleven o'clock. The officers
stood upon the platform at the end Of the long
dining room and watched the men eating or L
beside them nj the tables partaking OF the
viInds In the most democratic way. Ine band
played at intefvrls. and some hovs so small
not easily To ne seen ond IN hne diminutive
wo1es ol ssiSieTs S,,s drtssea "a tue Uniform Of
At two O'clock the roll - the drum and peals
of martial music called tno rnttici,anf In the
combat and many others 10 laylor'- Hail, which
soon held tuerahl lurCe as-en hlagc. Col. i.
y. ireese presided, and distinguished revoiu-
tinuary leaders occupied the centre Of the stage.
1hev were introduced to the audience as ten.
W shtngton, Gen. Mercer, Gen. Greene. and
Capt. Morgan, Ad-de,t amp To- Gen. washing
ton. Between the addresses the Seventh Q
iment band, stationed In the gallery, plgyed
national and patriotic airs.
II c President reAd letter from Mr.. John
Taylor, "a wealthy pork y ckcr, vino propJs ID TO
celebrate the Centennial anuiVersary Of the tat
tic Ot trenton next year on Ii ,tuuCnduus scale.
The patriot srmv. ne thought. should cross the
delaware, Ice or no zee al the place wnefe wash
ington went over, on the night preceding the
celebration, and fall upJn the enemy he next
morning at daybreak. lie promised to raise
continental costume ; "a furnish blood enough
t. MI all their oOots and 10 provide two tramps
to freeze on the march, ana thus pcrsonltc the
two soldiers of WsShington's army who were
frozen to death before the battle of Trenton. A
resolution TO approve Mr.. Tallors proposition
and make arrangements Tor carrying IL out
ad uptedamld tumuituOus cheering.
Atter several speeches. the President read n
poem on the hattie Of Trenton, composed by
MIR. Frederick III. Pilch and an eloquent nd
dress from the venerable Judge David llOAr
closed the celebration.