SSUSH4c Battle of Trenton – On Christmas night 1776, Washington led his troops to a victory that was a turning point for America winning the Revolutionary War. As a snowstorm pounded Washington and his soldiers, they crossed the Delaware River to stage a surprise attack on a fort occupied by Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British. This victory proved Washington‘s army could fight as well as an experienced European army.

Washington Crossing the Delaware River

SSUSH4c Valley Forge, twenty miles from Philadelphia, is where Washington led his men in December – The men were lacking clothing, shoes, food, and many supplies necessary for survival. – Washington informed Congress on December 23, that he had men unfit for duty because they were barefoot, and otherwise naked. – There were many desertions. However, after a six month encampment, Washington‘s army emerged revived, and a great transformation had taken place amidst the hardship at Valley Forge. As a result, the Continental Army emerged after the long hard winter as a more unified fighting force capable of defeating the British.