<P> On December 14, 1776, the Hessians arrived in Trenton to establish their winter quarters . At the time, Trenton was a small town with about 100 houses and two main streets, King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street . Carl von Donop, Rall's superior, had marched south to Mount Holly on December 22 to deal with the resistance in New Jersey, and had clashed with some New Jersey militia there on December 23 . </P> <P> Donop, who despised Rall, was reluctant to give command of Trenton to him . Rall was known to be loud and unacquainted with the English language, but he was also a 36 - year soldier with a great deal of battle experience . His request for reinforcements had been turned down by British commander General James Grant, who disdained the American rebels and thought them poor soldiers . Despite Rall's experience, the Hessians at Trenton did not admire their commander . They believed that he was too nice, and not ruthless enough to be successful . His officers complained, "His love of life was too great, a thought came to him, then another, so he could not settle on a firm decision ..." Rall avoided hard work and had little concern for his troops' comfort . </P> <P> Trenton lacked city walls or fortifications, which was typical of American settlements . Some Hessian officers advised Rall to fortify the town, and two of his engineers advised that a redoubt be constructed at the upper end of town, and fortifications be built along the river . The engineers went so far as to draw up plans, but Rall disagreed with them . When Rall was again urged to fortify the town, he replied, "Let them come...We will go at them with the bayonet ." </P> <P> As Christmas approached, Loyalists came to Trenton to report the Americans were planning action . American deserters told the Hessians that rations were being prepared for an advance across the river . Rall publicly dismissed such talk as nonsense, but privately in letters to his superiors, he said he was worried about an imminent attack . He wrote to Donop that he was "liable to be attacked at any moment". Rall said that Trenton was "indefensible" and asked that British troops establish a garrison in Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville). Close to Trenton, this would help defend the roads from Americans . His request was denied . As the Americans disrupted Hessian supply lines, the officers started to share Rall's fears . One wrote, "We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place ." On December 22, 1776, a spy reported to Grant that Washington had called a council of war; Grant told Rall to "be on your guard". </P>

Why were the battles of trenton and princeton so important to the continental army