<Li> Pell's Point </Li> <Li> Iron Works Hill </Li> <P> The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the American Revolutionary War which took place on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey . After General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night, Washington led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian mercenaries garrisoned at Trenton . After a brief battle, almost two - thirds of the Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans . The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired re-enlistments . </P> <P> The Continental Army had previously suffered several defeats in New York and had been forced to retreat through New Jersey to Pennsylvania . Morale in the army was low; to end the year on a positive note, George Washington--Commander - in - Chief of the Continental Army--devised a plan to cross the Delaware River on the night of December 25--26 and surround the Hessian garrison . </P>

Why was the battle of trenton important to the american revolution