Battle of Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
What happened
George Washington's Continental Army fought British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood, part of Lord Cornwallis's army. A week after his surprise win at Trenton, Washington slipped away by back roads to attack the British garrison at Princeton. His general Hugh Mercer's men were overrun, but Washington rallied the retreating soldiers and drove the British back. Some British troops took shelter in Nassau Hall, a college building, and surrendered after American cannon fired on it.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the third British defeat in ten days, and it boosted American morale and recruiting. A historian said these battles destroyed 'the illusion of British invincibility'.
What came next
Washington moved his army into winter quarters at Morristown. The British gave up most of central New Jersey.
Did you know?
In 1783 Nassau Hall served for a few months as the seat of the US Congress, making Princeton the country's temporary capital.
Timeline
- 1756Nassau Hall is completed.
- 3 January 1777Washington wins at Princeton.
- 5 January 1777The army reaches Morristown.
- 30 June-4 November 1783Congress meets in Nassau Hall.