PRINCETON, N. J., Battle of, in the American Revolution. After the battle of Trenton (q.v.), Washington recrossed the Dela ware and on 2 Jan. 1777 occupied Trenton with strong outposts at Bordentown and Crosswicks. General Grant, commanding the British troops at New Brunswick, 30 miles distant, was joined by Lord Cornwallis (q.v.), who was preparing to return to England but had been ordered to resume his command in the Jerseys. The British and Hessians, about 8,000 strong, pressed forward to Trenton, whereupon Wash ington took position on high ground behind Assanpink Creek. On 2 Jan. 1777 the British cannonaded the American position but deferred the attack until morning, when Cornwallis hoped Ito bag the old fox." On the advice of his generals, however, Washington decided to strike the British in the rear, capture their stores at New Brunswick, attack three' British regiments under Col. Charles Mawhood at Princeton and divert the war from the neigh borhood of Philadelphia to the mountainous regions of New Jersey. On the night of 2-3 of January, leaving his camp fires burning, Washington sent his stores ' to Burlington, abandoned his camp, and in the morning fell upon the unsuspecting Mawhood, then marching to join Cornwallis. After the first volley the
British charged and the Americans fled but were rallied by Washington and soon put the British to flight. Washington then advanced toward Princeton where he routed another British regiment. The British loss was 150 killed and 230 prisoners, while the Americans lost 30 killed, including Gen. Hugh
Meanwhile, hearing the cannonade, and fearing for his stores at New Brunswick, Cornwallis pursued Washington toward Morristown, but on crossing the Millstone River, the
demolished the bridge at Kingston and Corn wallis abandoned the pursuit, taking up posi tion at New Brunswick while Washington en camped at Morristown. Consult Stryker, W. S., (Battles of Trenton and Princeton' ; Johnston, H. P.,