Claim: George Washington was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the American Revolutionary War which took place on the morning of December 26 , 1776 , in Trenton , New Jersey . After General George Washington 's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night , Washington led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian soldiers garrisoned at Trenton . After a brief battle , nearly the entire Hessian force was captured , with negligible losses to the Americans . The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army 's flagging morale , and inspired re-enlistments .   The Continental Army had previously suffered several defeats in New York and had been forced to retreat through New Jersey to Pennsylvania . Morale in the army was low ; to end the year on a positive note , George Washington -- Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army -- devised a plan to cross the Delaware River on the night of December 25 -- 26 and surround the Hessian garrison .   Because the river was icy and the weather severe , the crossing proved dangerous . Two detachments were unable to cross the river , leaving Washington with only 2,400 men under his command in the assault . The army marched 9 mi south to Trenton . The Hessians had lowered their guard , thinking they were safe from the American army , and had no long-distance outposts or patrols . Washington 's forces caught them off guard and , after a short but fierce resistance , most of the Hessians surrendered . Almost two thirds of the 1,500-man garrison was captured , and only a few troops escaped across Assunpink Creek .   Despite the battle 's small numbers , the American victory inspired rebels in the colonies . With the success of the revolution in doubt a week earlier , the army had seemed on the verge of collapse . The dramatic victory inspired soldiers to serve longer and attracted new recruits to the ranks .