When Washington matured his plans to cross the Delaware River above the falls at Trenton with his main army, the two smaller divisions, under Generals Ewing and Cadwalader were ordered to cross at the same time at points lower down the shore. Cadwalader could not pass through the ice, but finally got across on the 27th from Bristol and remained on the Jersey side, the troops from Burlington having retreated. Ewing’s command crossed on the 28th and 29th and took possession at Bordentown.
General Washington made the crossing on Christmas night, and the morning of the 26th took Trenton with more than 900 prisoners: General Rall, who commanded the Hessians, was mortally wounded in the engagement.
General Washington thought it best to get back to the Pennsylvania side and before night had crossed with his forces, prisoners and other trophies of victory. But in several days he crossed again and joined the divisions of Cadwalader and Ewing. Mifflin brought to Bordentown 1800 recruits from Pennsylvania.
The British were alarmed by the blow at Trenton and broke up their encampments along the Delaware, and retired to Princeton. Washington thereupon reoccupied Trenton, where he was speedily joined by Pennsylvania Militia.
On January 3, 1777, Washington made an attack on Princeton. This battle was sharp and decisive. Mercer’s forces were furiously attacked with the deadly bayonet, and they fled in disorder. The enemy pursued until, on the brow of a hill, they discovered the American regulars and Pennsylvania Militia, under Washington, marching to the support of Mercer, who, in trying to rally his men, had his horse disabled under him, and was finally knocked down by a clubbed musket and mortally wounded.
Washington checked the flight and intercepted the British who were in pursuit. In this action the Pennsylvania militia bore the brunt of the attack, and but for the personal leadership of General Washington and the timely arrival of reinforcements, would have been compelled to yield the field.
In this short but sharp battle the British lost in killed, wounded and prisoners about 430 men. The American loss was about 100, including Colonels Haslet and James Potter, Major Morris and Captains Shippen, Fleming and Neal. General Hugh Mercer died nine days after the battle.
Here General Cadwalader distinguished himself as an able and brave officer.
Washington in his report to the president of Congress alluded to General Cadwalader as “a man of ability, a good disciplinarian and a man of good principle and of intrepid bravery.”
Chief Justice John Marshall, who was at that time an officer in the army, in a letter speaks of General Cadwalader’s[Cadwalader’s] “activity, talents and zeal.”