Final answer:
The battle at Trenton, marked by letter A on educational materials, saw General George Washington cross the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to surprise attack the Hessians in New Jersey on December 26, 1776, leading to a key American victory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Battle of Trenton: Washington's Surprise Victory
The battle of Trenton, represented by the letter A on quizzes or test materials, is a significant event during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington led the Colonial army across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed at Trenton. On December 26, 1776, amidst miserably icy conditions, Washington's daring strategy paid off, resulting in a pivotal victory that boosted morale and captured essential supplies from the enemy. Washington's army achieved a tactical surprise, capturing over 1,000 Hessian soldiers while sustaining minimal casualties.
This victory at Trenton, following several setbacks in the North, provided a renewed sense of hope for the Colonial cause. General Washington's bold and unconventional attack during Christmas time broke with eighteenth-century military tactics, catching the Hessians completely unprepared. Emanuel Leutze's famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware" commemorates this event, even though it took place at night and on a much narrower section of the river than depicted.
The success at the Battle of Trenton was a revolutionary moment. It revealed Washington's leadership qualities and his ability to inspire and command his troops under dire circumstances. The battle also signified the Colonial army's ability to launch effective offensives against the well-trained Hessian mercenaries, and it set the stage for subsequent victories in the fight for independence.