Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Order of march to Trenton

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00495 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph document Date: 25 December 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Download PDF

Orders for surprise attack on British forces at Trenton. On Christmas morning Washington made his famous crossing of the Delaware, and prepared for a surprise attack on Trenton. These orders lay out the various roles of the different sections of the American army. General Stevens will command the lead group, supported by some of Knox's artillery men. General Greene will command the second group, supported by a number of Knox's cannon. Delineates the various specific jobs of each unit. Includes hand drawn map on verso of Trenton. The pencil map shows the plan of Trenton, the roads and waterways surrounding the city (the Delaware River among them), and small squares that appear to represent some of the British and Hessian troop positions (that supposition is based on a comparison with a Hessian map prepared soon after the battle in the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division , Rochambeau Map Collection). Title from docket.

Each Brigade to be furnish'd with two good Guides.
General Stevenss Brigade to form the advanced party & to have with them a detachment of the Artillery without Cannon provided with spikes and Hammers to spike up the enemies Cannon in case of necessity or to bring them off if it can be effected. the party to be provided with drag ropes for the purpose of dragging off the Cannon. General Stevens is to attack and force the enemies guards and seize such posts as may pressure them from forming in the streets and in case they are annoy'd from the houses to set them on fire. The Brigades of Mercer & Lord Stirling under the Command of Major General Greene to support General Stevens, this is the second division or left wing of the Army and to march by the way of the Pennington Road.
St Clairs Glovers & Sargents Brigades [struck: to embark in order] under Major General Sullivan to march by the river road, this is the first division of the Army and to form the right wing. Lord Stirlings Brigade to form the reserve of the left wing and General St Clairs Brigade the reserve [2] of the right wing. These reserves to form a second line in Conjunction or a second hand to each division as circumstances may require - Each Brigadier to make the Colonels acquainted with the posts of their respective Regiments in the Brigade and the Major Generals will inform them of the parts of their Brigades in the Line.
Four peices of artillery to march at the head of each Column, three peices at the head of the second Brigade of each Division and two peices with each of the Reserves. The troops to be assembled one Miles back of McKonkeys ferry and as soon as it begins to grow dark the troops to be March'd to McKonkeys ferry and embark onboard the boats in following order under the direction of Colonel Knox
General Stevens Brigade with the detachment of Artillery men to embark first General Mercers next; Lord Stirlings next, Genl Fermoys next who will march in the rear of the second Division and file off from the [inserted: Pennington to the] Princeton Road in such direction that he can with the greatest ease & safety secure the passes between Princeton & Trenton the Guides will be the best judges of this. he is to take two peices of artillery with him
St Clair Glover & Sargents Brigades to embark in order. Immediately upon their debarkation the whole to form & march in Subdivisions from the Right
The [3] Commanding officers of Regiments to observe that the Divisions be equal & that proper officers be appointed to each - a profound silence to be enjoynd & no man to quit his Ranks on the pain of Death - each Brigadier to appoint flanking parties - the reserve Brigades to appoint the rear Guards of the Columns - The heads of the Columns to be appointed to arrive at Trenton at five oClock
Capt Washington & Capt [Flaharan] with a party of 40 men each to march before the Divisions & posts themselves on the road about three miles from Trenton & make prisoner of all going in or coming out of Town
General Stevens will appoint a Guard to form a chain of centries round the landing place at a sufficient distance from the river to permit the troops to form This Guard not to suffer any person to gone in or [struck: come] [inserted: go] out but to detain all persons who attempts either this Guard to join their Brigade when the troops are all over
[docket]
Order of march
to Trenton
Decr 25 1776.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Stevens, Edward, 1745-1820

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources