American Revolution: Ten Crucial Days to Save America - Battles of Trenton & Princeton 1776-7

This series is a hidden gem in the massive YouTube Historical genre.

Was Washington a brilliant tactical commander? Certainly not (although he did have his moments like in these battles). However he was 100% the right man for the job. He had a very deep understanding of the strategic importance of keeping the Continental Army intact and in the fight despite losses on the battlefield as well as the grace to understand that the military power he was given was a privilege and to only wield it for the American cause of liberty. There were few if any other men who could have led America through the revolution successfully like he did.

I’ve been fascinated by the Revolutionary War ever since I was little. What I didn’t know, until I started working on my family tree a few years ago, was that I have a 6th great-grandfather who fought in it! George Pepperrell Frost enlisted in the New Hampshire regiment a day after Bunker Hill, and then participated in the siege of Boston, the tail end of the Quebec campaign, both Trenton and Princeton, both battles of Saratoga, endured the winter at Valley Forge, then ended his major engagements with Monmouth Courthouse. He mustered out in 1782. (Luckily for my research he listed all of his service record in a letter he wrote for his pension in the early 1800s.)

learning about Washington is like riding a roller coaster. as first your like "this could be fun" then "oh no please stop" but by the end your fully into it "lets go Washington"

I'd love to see an American Civil War series after this.

I will always be impressed by this campaign, as Washington pulled off what even Frederick II "The Great" Hohenzollern dubbed "the greatest achievement in the military annals." I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment, as it, comparative to Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck's masterful African campaign of World War I, was the use of maneuver by a numerically inferior army against a numerically superior and resource rich force against its small outposts.

I work in Trenton in where the battle was fought

there are people living in the Trenton area today who claim to be the decedents of the captured Hessians

The turning point... The aftermath was hugely telling...it was clear that the British army could not garrison and protect loyalists, and so even New Jersey could not be gained by victories even on the scale of the New York campaign of 1776. This realization would heavily impact the strategy of both sides in the common years. The British would cast about for some way of defeating the rebels in specific regions, rather than globally.... ...and Washington would turn to the Fabian strategies he did not initially wish to pursue...seeing how effective they had been at restoring most of New Jersey.

Great video glad to see you guys back! Also fun fact was that future president James Monroe was at the battle of Trenton as a lieutenant but he very well could have been one of the few American deaths as he was wounded greatly by a musket shot to his shoulder that severed a artery luckily for him a doctor saved his life and unknowingly saved a future president. Also general Hugh Mercer was a truly interesting person who had been a surgeon in the Jacobite uprising before fleeing to America sadly his life ended brutally but his sacrifice wasn’t in vain

I’m so glad you guys finally got a sponsorship!

Man i have been waiting for channels of the same caliber of epic history tv to cover the American Revolution. Reminds me of the old history channel shows. Great job!

Awesome work! We hear about Trenton a lot in the U.S, but not as much about Princeton.

“Instead of being the last charge of a dying rebellion” sheds light on the gravity and utter will that these men braved in their crossing and march on Trenton, to face a small but formidable force composed of the most feared soldiers on Earth. Freezing and demoralized, knowing this will most likely be their final march, pushed onward.

Of all the online briefs on this critical timeline period, yours is by far the best. The mix of important verbal historical road to war points, along with the graphic display of schemes of manuaver make it a Five Star level brief!!!. BRAVO ZULU!!!...

I participate in the Princeton reenactment every year, going there again in a week. Fantastic videos, I like to do some research on the battles I reenact before I go, and these have definitely been a great reference!

Another excellent episode, and perfectly timed. Congratulations on the sponsor. It's much deserved.

When I was younger, I was under the impression that Washington was a bad general and that remains a popularly echoed sentiment nowadays. However, when you actually delve deeper into his campaigns, the man was fairly good. This campaign demonstrated boldness, surprise, proper usage of defeat in detail, and a cunning manoeuvre to the rear which saw Cornwallis' communications cut when Washington marched on Princeton. Though, I wonder how many Loyalists were guarding the depot at New Brunswick? The distance should be enough that Washington's army might have been able to make it there in a day or two days' march at most. I think a swift victory there, followed by the seizing of provisions for his men might have definitely been possible before Cornwallis came up. It would have been a good boon to the Revolutionaries and allow them to resupply, while depriving the Loyalists in the harsh winter months.

man this is amazing ive been waiting for epic history but you are killing the competition keep up the great work man and merry christmas

These Stories Must Always Be Taught In Our USA Schools!