10. Washington prepared for another battle in Trenton in January, 1777
In Trenton, supported by Cadwalader, who had finally moved his troops across the Delaware River, Washington fortified a line along Assunpink Creek. There he contemplated his next move, either against the Hessians under Donop or against Cornwallis. The fortifications were mostly busy work for the troops. Washington had already learned from his spies that Cornwallis intended to trap the Continentals in Trenton, leading to their surrender or destruction. He also knew from his farmer’s instincts that the weather, which had warmed since Christmas, was about to get colder again. Lastly, he learned of a little-used road, behind his fortifications, which followed a winding course to the Princeton Turnpike just outside of that town. On January 1, Cornwallis left Princeton after detaching a garrison there and moved towards Trenton. Washington dispatched a detachment of troops, mostly riflemen, to harass their advance.
The Americans, under Alexis de Fermoy, had established a blocking position about halfway between Princeton and Trenton. On January 2 de Fermoy abandoned his post, drunk, and fled to Trenton. Colonel Edward Hand assumed command of the American advanced position. It was another example of providential luck in the military career of George Washington. De Fermoy was largely incompetent, Hand very much the opposite. Washington told Hand to delay the British arrival at Trenton until dark if at all possible. The American general was confident the British would not assault his fortified positions in the dark. He had already formed his plans for what he would do once the British were before Trenton. The detachment at Princeton had caught his eye. The further he could lure Cornwallis from Princeton the better for his plans.