Note: The Battle of Assunpink Creek is also known as the Second Battle of Trenton.
Historical Background
General Washington prudently retreated back across the Delaware River to safety in Pennsylvania after surprising and capturing over 900 Hessians at Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776. But almost as soon as he returned, reports from American scouts showed that the remaining crown forces on the Jersey shore of the river had been spooked and retreated back inland towards the British base at Princeton, leaving the Trenton area unoccupied. Washington called a council of war with his officers and they concluded, as did he, that there was an opportunity to possibly hand the British yet another black eye in their confusion.
After convincing some key units, including Colonel John Glover’s Massachusetts regiment of fishermen who had been instrumental in getting the army across the Delaware, to stay on though their enlistments had expired, he ordered his 6,800 men to re cross the river into New Jersey once more. By December 30th his men were safely across and in Trenton again. He had them prepare defensive positions on a ridge just south of the town across the mostly swollen Assunpink Creek. British command reacted swiftly after their initial stupor and sent Lord Cornwallis from New York to Princeton with reinforcements and orders to crush the rebels.
Washington’s plan was to throw out delaying units up the 12 mile road from Trenton to Princeton and harass and bait the Crown forces south to bludgeon themselves on his strong defensive line that boasted over 30 cannon. Cornwallis, eager to avenge the recent defeat, took the bait and early on 2 January marched south from Princeton in three columns with 8,000 men. Only a few miles into the march, American light units and riflemen confronted them, first near Shabakunk Creek, and again at Stockton Hollow. Each time, Cornwallis was forced to bring his guns up and deploy into full line of battle. But as soon as they had done so, the Americans would retreat hastily to their next defensive position. This cat and mouse game wore on all day and into late afternoon, until finally the British and Germans reached the northern outskirts of Trenton.
Washington, seeing the British light infantry were trying to race ahead and get around his rear guard’s left flank and cut off their retreat to the only bridge across the Assunpink, sent a brigade of Continentals across to cover their retreat through the town.
This they did successfully but not before losing a few men as the retreat turned into a headlong rush for the bridge. The strong line of cannon on the ridge fired over their heads and down the two main streets of Trenton, and this kept the crown forces at bay. In reply, Cornwallis brought up his own batteries as his light infantry tried to cross a ford on the American left. But the fire of strong lines of American infantry in hasty redoubts forced them back to the safety of houses on the edge of Trenton. Next a few companies of Hessian Grenadiers charged in column at the bridge, but again the fire was too much and they only made it half way across the span before breaking and leaving heaps of men dead or dying. With daylight failing, the light infantry were thrown at the bridge, but the result was the same.
Cornwallis attempted still three more times with infantry from his left flank column, and still they were seen off each time by incessant volleys of rifle fire and canister from the many cannon.
Exhausted and with night falling, Cornwallis pulled back out of musket range and decided to “bag the old fox” once and for all in the morning. But Washington had other plans and pulled out in the night and marched his army north to try to surprise the lone British brigade guarding Princeton. The old fox had evaded his pursuers once again.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?
Empty Board
Battle Notes
Continental Army
• Commander: Washington
• 5 Command Cards & 4 Combat Cards
British Army
• Commander: Cornwallis
• 5 Command Cards & 3 Combat Cards
• Move first
Victory
9 Victory Banners.
Special Rules
- The two Continental reduced-strength artillery units (use Hessian Light Artillery) represent smaller batteries. These units cannot add more blocks than they start the game with and are never considered to be at full strength.
- Time Pressure Victory Banner Objective (daylight is wasting): the Continental player, after playing a “Scout” Command card, may draw 1 Command card and take 1 Permanent Victory Banner instead of drawing 2 Command cards at the end of his turn. Taking a Permanent Victory Banner is not possible if doing so would provide the final Victory Banner.
- Assunpink Creek is impassable except at the bridge and two fords. Additionally, the ford on the Continental right (outlined in red) wasn’t crossed historically as the water was too swift, but the British may attempt to activate it only once: immediately upon moving adjacent to the ford, roll one die. If a flag is rolled, the ford is usable by either side for the rest of the battle. Otherwise it is impassable.
- Last to Occupy Victory Banner Objectives: The bridge and fords are worth 1 Victory Banner each for the side that last occupied them. (Continentals start with 1 Victory Banner for the bridge.) Place the corresponding victory banner on the bridge and/or ford to denote Last to Occupy.
- The 4 Continental units on the British side of the Assunpink represent Washington’s rear guard. For each of these units that cross the Assunpink at full strength (4 blocks), gain 1 Permanent Victory Banner. Only one banner per each of these four units can be gained in this way.
- The British gain one Temporary Victory Banner for each unit they are able to get across the Assunpink. The banner is lost if the unit retreats back across the Assunpink, but not if it is eliminated.