(dramatic music) - [Kevin] On three, January, 1777, George Washington followed up the crossing of the Delaware, with an attack on Trent, New Jersey.

After news of the attacks spread, British General Charles Cornwallis was sent south with around 8,000 soldiers, to overwhelm the smaller American force around Trenton.

The British army quickly found the Continental Army, and attacked, but was repelled after three separate assaults Cornwallis decided to deploy a majority of his force to guard the Delaware River, to prevent an escape, while leaving a small garrison of 1400 in Princeton.

General Washington, with information from local patriots, decided to act.

A few American soldiers maintained campfires to convince the British Army they were still in camp.

Then Washington moved his army silently around the British Army, and attacked Princeton.

The larger continental force overwhelmed the smaller British force, forcing the British to withdraw from New Brunswick, and abandoned most of New Jersey.