The other parts of this brilliant enterprise were not, however, executed with the same success. General Irvine had been instructed to cross at Trenton ferry, and by securing a bridge below the town, to cut off the enemy's march along the Bor dentown road. Notwithstanding all his exertions. it was found that the ice had rendered the passage impracticable. arid five hundred fugitives from the disastrous field of Trenton, were thus enabled to escape by a speedy and well-timed retreat. General Cadwallader was to have crossed at Dunk's ferry and carried the post at Mount Holly; hut the same impediment prevented this movement also, and he was compelled to return with a part of his infantry which had effected the passage. Deprived of this important and expected co-operation, Washington had nevertheless achieved a most critical and im portant triumph; he returned to his former position, charged with the spoils and trophies of his foes, and from that moment—though reverses frequently dimmed the brilliancy of the prospect—hope never again deserted the cause of American independence.
Sir William Ilowe had been fully apprised of the unfortunate condition of his adversary's affairs, and lie may well be excused for having treated the war as already at an end. New York was a British garrison: New Jersey completely subdued and occupied by his forces; while Pennsylvania, dis heartened and menaced with invasion, seemed about to relinquish all resistance, and prepared to ter minate the contest by surrender and submission. All the troops who were entitled to discharges, had quitted the ill-omened ranks of the continental army, and at the commencement of the new year. the dispersion would be almost complete. Nothing then appeared to be necessary, but to wait until the ice should render the river passable, w '.en such a blow could be directed against the American com mander. as would close finally the struggles of the young republic. In the midst of these cheering prospects, he found himself suddenly assailed in his positions—a part of his army cut off—and the war revived with new vigour by a skilful and indefati gable adversary. Notwithstanding the advanced state of the season, active operations were at once resolved upon; and for this purpose the British troops were collected together in great strength and high state of preparation.
1777. The American general, encouraged by his late brilliant success, now determined to contend for a footing in the state of Jersey. The army repassed the Delaware and took post at Trenton, where it soon found itself in Front of a superior force, owing to a movement in advance of Lord Cornwallis. A little creek called the Assumpink
was all that divided the two armies, but night separated the combatants and afforded the oppor tunity for new combinations. It was evident to Washington that the conflict to which he was expo sed, presented no hope of a favourable result, and that a retreat across the river before his present enemy appeared likely to prove a still more dis astrous alternative. Amid these critical difficulties, the daring resolution was taken to decamp from his present position, gain the rear of the enemy at Princeton, overthrow the division posted in that town, and then move upon Brunswick, where a weak force guarded the principal depots of the British army. lf these extensive operations were followed by an immediate pursuit on the part of Cornwallis, no apprehension was to be entertained for Philadelphia; but if, on the contrary, he pushed forward to that city, the injury,though severe,would be indemnified by the loss of the magazines, the cutting up in detail of the British detachments, and the complete reconquest of the stale of Jersey.
At one in the morning of the 3d of January, the camp fires were renewed and the guard paraded as usual; but the army had silently begun its move ment upon Princeton, which was known to be oc cupied by three British regiments. At a short distance from the town they encountered two of these regiments marching forward in order to co operate in the expected battle; and a warm engage ment immediately commenced. The American general was well aware that the existence of his country hung suspended in the scale of victory, and he exerted himself as one who knew the importance of the object, and felt that success depended .on his efforts. Wherever the fire was hottest, or the press of battle most fearful, Washington was sure to be found guiding the thunders of war, and ani mating all by his language and example. At length the British line was broken, and the two regiments separated. Colonel Mawhood, with the division in the van, pushed rapidly forward for the main army, while the fifty-fifth cut off from this point of support, fled in confusion across the fields to Bruns wick. The Americans now pressed the remaining regiment, which at first attempted a defence in the college; but this was soon abandoned, and those who were not captured escaped only by precipitate flight. The British loss amounted to one hundred killed, and three hundred prisoners; the conquer ors had to lament the death of General Mercer, an experienced officer, much respected by the com mander-in-chief.