The Footprints of Time / And a Complete Analysis of Our American System of Government, with a Concise History of the Original Colonies and of the United States, in Chronological Order

by Charles Bancroft

Nov. 28—Washington retreats across the Delaware into Pennsylvania.

Dec. 7—Gen. Lee disobeys the instructions of Washington and is taken prisoner by the British.

Dec. 8—A British naval force takes possession of Newport, Rhode Island.

Dec. 12—The British army being stationed along the Delaware, in New Jersey, Congress adjourns from Philadelphia to Baltimore.

Dec. 26-27—Washington suddenly crosses the Delaware and surprises Trenton. He captures 1,000 Hessians and six cannon, with a loss of four killed. In this year about 350 British merchant vessels had been taken by Americans.

1777.

Jan. 2—Washington having re-occupied Trenton, Lord Cornwallis marches a strong force to attack him.

Jan. 3—The American army silently retreat in the night and capture Princeton, with 300 prisoners. British loss in killed and wounded, 100. American loss about the same. General Mercer killed.

Feb. 6—Letters of Marque and Reprisal granted by the English against American commerce.