The Battle of Princeton was one more gritty, brave victory for the Americans, won on sheer determination and a bit of George Washington ingenuity. Battle at Princeton. The Battle of Princeton was fought on January 3, 1777 during the American Revolution and saw Gen. George Washington win a victory. Terrified, many British troops deserted the city, and those remaining split apart in worried confusion. Gen. George Washington and 1,400 American soldiers defeated Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood and 1,200 British Regulars. George Washington and his soldiers marched north from Trenton and attacked a British force south of the town. Washington ordered the militia brigade of John Cadwalader into action to support their retreating comrades, but the militia initially broke upon sighting the British. The Continental Army, led by Washington, advanced to Princeton after their victory at Trenton. The Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777) was a pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War in which General George Washington's army of Continental soldiers and militia defeated British regular forces.

He and his men were now crossing back over the river and into Trenton. After being overtaken at Trenton , Washington had been forced to retreat across the Delaware River. The famous Mercer Oak, once stood in the middle of the battlefield, not far from the spot where Gen. Hugh Mercer fell during the fight. Americans lost 30 killed and 75 wounded and the British lost 60 killed, 150 wounded, and 244 missing/captured. A running battle ensued as both sides tried to reach Princeton before the other.

However, Washington, who was with the main force advancing on Princeton, heard the exchanges and rode to the battle.

... Battle of Princeton From this position they had been keeping a wary eye on the 55th regiment as it moved back under orders toward the college, while the 55th regiment kept a no less cautious eye on them. Initially, the British commander Charles Mawhood, marched his force south towards Trenton to meet the main British army, when he spotted the American column. The Battle of Princeton was fought on January 3, 1777 in the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Princeton was over for these soldiers, but not for the men attached to Sullivan’s column who had been halted all the while on the back road into town. A poem was written for … John Rogers ca. 1870. The Battle of Princeton was one more gritty, brave victory for the Americans, won on sheer determination and a bit of George Washington ingenuity. Check out these facts to expand your appreciation of this watershed battle in New Jersey. The Battle of Princeton was a classic meeting engagement, both sides stumbled into one another, and neither expected to fight on the ground where the battle raged.