Henry Knox's Orders for the March to
Trenton
Historical Background
On Christmas Eve in 1776 the American Revolution was on the verge of
collapsing. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence the
American forces had been driven from New York to Pennsylvania and reduced
to a mere three thousand men. Washington knew that a victory was needed
to raise Americans' decimated morale and turn the tide of war. With
winter on its way and thousands of enlistments soon expiring, his time
was running out. Washington, seeing an opportunity, decided to attack
Trenton, New Jersey, a nearby town guarded by only fifteen hundred Hessians,
German mercenaries fighting for the British.
The Battle of Trenton
Washington's officers received a copy of orders detailing the plan to
cross the Delaware River late on Christmas Day and "arrive at Trenton
at five oClock" to surprise the enemy forces. This copy (GLC 02437.00495),
with a map of Trenton drawn on the back, belonged to Henry Knox, Chief
Artillery Officer, and was written in his own hand. Knox played an important
role in the monumental river crossing and historic battle. Ice floes
and a brutal winter storm made the Delaware River almost impassable
on December 25th. The dangerous and difficult task of crossing the river
in treacherous winter conditions was placed "under the direction
of Colonel Knox." Knox never left Washington's side, shouting out
the General's orders until every last man was safely across. Although
foul weather kept the Americans from reaching Trenton until eight in
the morning, it also concealed their approach and afforded them the
essential element of surprise. The battle proceeded almost exactly as
drawn up in these orders. Washington's army, split in two, surprised
the Hessians, trapped them in the town, and overpowered the enemy force.
Knox's artillery played a decisive role, inflicting heavy damage inside
the close quarters of the town. The Continentals killed or captured
nearly one thousand Hessian troops during their victory at Trenton.
Two days later Knox was promoted to Brigadier General of Artillery.
Historical Significance
Despite their victory at Trenton, the Americans began 1777 at a great
disadvantage and Continental defeats would continue to outnumber victories
for years to come. Tactically, the battle cost the British a small but
noticeable part of their fighting force and deprived them of control
of southern New Jersey. More importantly, the victory restored hope
in the Revolution just when it was dangerously low; soldiers began reenlisting,
recruitment grew, and support on the homefront increased significantly.
The American forces began building the momentum that eventually enabled
them to win the Revolution. When Knox wrote these orders, shortly before
the dramatic river crossing, the American Revolution appeared to be
on its dying breath. But by the time the orders had been successfully
carried out, the patriots' cause was given new life.
Transcript
Each Brigade to be furnish’d with two good
Guides.
General Stevens Brigade to form the advanced party & to have with
them a detachment of the Artillery without Cannon provided with Spikes
and Hammers to Spike up the enemies Cannon in case of necessity or
to bring them off if it can be effected. the party to be provided
with drag ropes for the purpose of dragging off the Cannon. General
Stevens is to attack and force the enemies guards and seize such posts
as may pressure them from forming in the streets and in case they
are annoy’d from the houses to set them on fire. The Brigades
of Mercer & Lord Stirling under the Command of Major General Greene
to support General Stevens, this is the second division or left wing
of the Army and to march by the way of the Pennington Road.
St Clairs Glovers & Sargents Brigades [struck: to embark in order]
under Major General Sullivan to march by the river road, this is the
first division of the Army and to form the right wing. Lord Stirlings
Brigade to form the reserve of the left wing and General St Clairs
Brigade the reserve [2] of the right wing. These reserves to form
a second line in Conjunction or a second hand to each division as
circumstances may require — Each Brigadier to make the Colonels
acquainted with the parts of their respective Regiments in the Brigade
and the Major Generals will inform them of the parts of their Brigades
in the Line.
Four peices [sic] of artillery to march at the head of each Column,
three peices [sic] at the head of the second Brigade of each Division
and two peices [sic] with each of the Reserves. The troops to be assembled
one Miles back of McKonkeys Ferry and as soon as it begins to grow
dark the troops to be March’d to McKonkeys Ferry and embark
onboard the boats in following order under the direction of Colonel
Knox
General Stevens Brigade with the detachment of Artillery men to embark
first General Mercers next; Lord Stirlings next, Genl Fermoys next
who will march in the rear of the Second Division and file off from
the [inserted: Pennington to the] Princeton Road in such direction
that he can with the greatest ease & safety secure the passes
between Princeton & Trenton the Guides will be the best judge
of this. he is to take two peices [sic] of artillery with him
St Clair Glover & Sargents Brigades to embark in order. Immediately
upon their debarkation the whole to form & march in Subdivisions
from the Right
The [3] Commanding officers of Regiments to observe that the Divisions
be equal & that proper officers be appointed to each — a
profound silence to be enjoynd [sic] & no man to quit his Ranks
on the pain of Death – each Brigadier to appoint flanking parties
– the reserve Brigades to appoint the rear Guards of the Columns
– The heads of the Columns to be appointed to arrive at Trenton
at five oClock
Capt Washington & Capt Flaharan with a party of 40 men each to
march before the Divisions & post themselves on the road about
three miles from Trenton & make prisoner of all going in or coming
out of Town
General Stevens will appoint a Guard to form a chain of centries [sic]
round the landing place at a sufficient distance from the river to
permit the troops to form This Guard not to suffer any person to gone
in or [struck: come] [inserted: go] out but to detain all persons
who attempts either this Guard to join their Brigade when the troops
are all over
[docket]
Order of march
to Trenton
Decr 25 1776.
Item Description and Credits
GLC 02437.00495 Order of March to Trenton
For more information or to obtain copies, contact Ana Ramirez-Luhrs
at reference@gilderlehrman.com
or call (212) 787-6616 ext. 209.
Suggested Reading
Callahan, North. Henry Knox: George Washington’s General.
New York: A. S. Barnes and Co., 1958.
Fischer, David Hackett. Washington’s Crossing. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2004.
McCullough, David G. 1776. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Middlekauff, Robert. The Glorious Cause. New York: Oxford, 1982.
Wood, Gordon S. The American Revolution: A History. New York:
Modern Library, 2001.
