Carl von Donop Count Carl Emil Ulrich von Donop ( January 1 , 1732 – October 25 , 1777 ) was a Hessian colonel who fought in the American Revolutionary War . Biography . Origins and ambitions . The son of a noble family of Hesse - Kassel ( or Hesse - Cassel ) , Donop was well connected in the European courts and served as personal adjutant to the Landgraf of Hesse - Kassel . He served with distinction in the Seven Years ' War . When the American Revolution began , Donop asked for leave to serve in America against the revolutionaries . The Landgraf appointed him as commander of four battalions of grenadiers and the prestigious Jäger Corps . A highly ambitious officer , Donop hoped to remain in America after the war to pursue dreams of power and glory . Wearing a veneer of civility and deferential to his superiors , Donop was an able officer but was not well liked by his subordinates . To his inferiors he was short and harsh , and he had a take - no - prisoners policy that was enforced by severe beatings . Early battles . Donop ' s troops participated in the initial British landing at Long Island , New York , on August 22 , 1776 , and the succeeding Battle of Long Island on August 27 . They also participated in the landing at Kip ' s Bay on Manhattan Island on the night of September 14 . Donop distinguished himself at the Battle of Harlem Heights , going to the aid of the British troops involved . Retreat after Battle of Trenton . Donop was the senior officer present in southern New Jersey in late 1776 , and commanded the garrisons in Trenton , Burlington , and Bordentown , which consisted of several Hessian battalions , the Forty - second Highland Regiment ( commanded by Colonel Stirling ) , and Jäger detachments . His main camp was at Bordentown prior to the Battle of Trenton , with one battalion occupying the town and the rest billeted along the country roads in Slabtown [ Jacksonville ] Black Horse [ Columbus ] Burlington City and White House ( the Mary Field Plantation ) . His overall commander was Major General James Grant . Donop wanted to absorb Colonel Johann Rall ' s brigade into his garrison to fortify Trenton , but Sir William Howe was persuaded to let Rall hold command on his own in Trenton . Warned by locals of impending attack , Donop warned Grant , who dismissed these cautions . On December 22 , 1776 , Colonial militia under the command of Colonel Samuel Griffin attacked von Donop ' s southern outposts at Slabtown . This force of colonials was sent from Philadelphia by General Israel Putnam as a deterrent to further encroachment on the river crossings opposite the colonial capitol at Philadelphia . The colonials numbered about 900 local militia and a few regulars , while von Donop commanded over 2 , 000 veterans . In response to this attack , von Donop moved his entire force south , pushing the colonials through Mount Holly at the Battle of Iron Works Hill and onto the opposite side of the Rancocas Creek . On Christmas Eve , the colonials retreated a few miles to Moorestown . Von Donp ' s officers wanted him to return to Bordentown , within easy supporting distance for Rall . Von Donop had nothing but contempt for Rall and decided to spend Christmas in the company of " a beautiful young widow " - as reported by his Captain of Jagers , Johann Ewald . There is some speculation , but no proof , that the " beautiful young widow " was Betsy Ross . A rider brought news of the disaster at Trenton about mid - day on December 26 . Out of position , and fearing he would be cut off from the remaining Royal Forces , von Donop ordered his corps to move through Crosswicks to Princeton . He left a rear guard and allowed for baggage wagons , wounded and such to be brought along . He abandoned a good bit of plunder in his excitement and urgency . The victory at Trenton was won by Washington , but some credit should be given to the young widow who held von Donop out of position a day too long to be of help to Rall . Battle of Red Bank . When Howe ' s forces captured Philadelphia in 1777 , he then acted to open the Delaware River to the navy . The effort was directed at the forts on either side of the river . The Royal Navy attacked Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania . In an attempt to recoup his tarnished reputation from his defeat at Trenton , Donop volunteered to attempt the capture of Fort Mercer at Red Bank in what is now National Park , New Jersey . General Howe agreed , if it could be done easily , and gave Donop command of 2 , 000 Hessian troops , with which he crossed the Delaware River on October 22 . That afternoon , Donop surrounded the fort and demanded surrender from Colonel Christopher Greene with the threat of invasion and no quarter . Greene , in a strong position with 400 Rhode Islanders and in possession of plentiful cannon , grapeshot , and powder , rejected the demand . Donop led 1 , 200 Hessians in three attacks on the fort , all of which were beaten back resulting in nearly 400 Hessian casualties , including Donop himself . Fatally wounded in what would be known as the Battle of Red Bank , Donop died two days later on October 25 , 1777 . He said to a brother officer before he died : “ It is finishing a noble career early ; but I die the victim of my ambition , and of the avarice of my sovereign . ”