U.S. Army Profile picture
26 Dec, 12 tweets, 6 min read
We know the Holidays are in full swing, but let's take a moment for some #ArmyHistory.

Today, we look at #TheBattleofTrenton.

New Jersey | Dec 26, 1776
In late 1776, morale in the Continental Army was at a low after losses at the Battle of White Plains in October and at Forts Washington and Lee in November.

Chased by the British, General George Washington retreated across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.

#ArmyHistory
On the night of Christmas, December 25, 1776, General Washington implemented an audacious plan that would improve the fortunes of the American forces.

#ArmyHistory
General Washington led his men across the icy Delaware River and on a ten-mile march into Trenton, New Jersey, where they surprised a garrison of 1,500 Hessians.

#ArmyHistory
On December 26, behind schedule and with only one third of his men because of a nor’easter, the Americans arrived on the outskirts of Trenton around daybreak. Washington splits his force into two columns.

#ArmyHistory
Washington split his force into two columns.

One, commanded by Major General Nathaniel Greene, attacked from the north and a second, under Major General John Sullivan, attacked from the west to cut the line of retreat to the south.

#ArmyHistory
Forces Engaged
3,900

American
2.400

British
1,500
The Hessian garrison, under the command of Colonel Johann Rall and exhausted by several weeks American militia harassment, are taken by surprise.

#ArmyHistory
The army that the British thought was all but defeated destroyed a major garrison and suffered very few casualties in a battle that was over in about an hour.

#ArmyHistory
Some Hessians managed to escape, but most were captured. While leading his troops, Colonel Rall was mortally wounded.

Before he died, he formally surrendered to General Washington.

#ArmyHistory
Estimated Casualties: 910

American: 5 wounded

British: 22 killed, 83 wounded, 800 missing & captured
The victory set the stage for another success at Princeton a week later and boosted the morale of the American troops.

Washington demonstrated his ingenuity and resilience as a leader, won the loyalty of his soldiers, and revived the Continental Army.

#ArmyHistory

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with U.S. Army

U.S. Army Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @USArmy

19 Oct
In #ThisDayInHistory, the American victory at the #BattleofYorktown would be the last major land battle of the #AmericanRevolutionaryWar.

Check out the thread to learn more about this historic battle!

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
In 1781, the British occupied Yorktown, where General Charles Cornwallis intended to resupply his 9,000-man army.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
On September 5, The Royal Navy, attempting to sail up the Bay to Gen. Cornwallis, is met by French warships at the mouth of the Chesapeake. In this Battle of the Capes, the British fleet is soundly defeated trapping British troops without supplies and much-needed reinforcements.
Read 15 tweets
12 Sep
THE BATTLE OF ST-MIHIEL

On September 12, 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces under Commander General John J. Pershing launched its first major offensive in Europe as an independent army.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The U.S.-led attack occurred in the Saint-Mihiel salient, a triangular area of land between Verdun and Nancy occupied by the German army since the fall of 1914.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The Saint-Mihiel salient was strategically important as it hindered rail communications between Paris and the eastern sections of the front—eliminating the salient was necessary before the final Allied offensive of the war could begin.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
Read 8 tweets
12 Mar
Women who serve in today's #USArmy are patriots.

They are driven by their love of country and an oath to protect and defend our constitution and people.

THE SOLDIERS CREED.

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

#PeopleFirst #WomensHistoryMonth
I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

#PeopleFirst #WomensHistoryMonth
Read 7 tweets
17 Jan
Today, we salute and honor the #Veterans of the #OperationDesertStorm. Listen as SFC (Ret.) Fred W. Brown Jr. recounts his experience from thirty years ago.

Let's celebrate their service! Share a photo or a story or your favorite #DesertStorm Vet.

#ArmyHistory
The #PersianGulfWar (1990–91), was an international conflict that was triggered by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.

Saddam Hussein, ordered the invasion and occupation of Kuwait with the apparent aim of acquiring that nation’s large oil reserves.

#DesertStorm
By January 1991, the allied coalition against Iraq had reached a strength of 700,000 troops, including 540,000 U.S. personnel and smaller numbers of British, French, Egyptians, Saudis, Syrians, and several other national contingents.

#DesertStorm
Read 11 tweets
18 Nov 20
On this day in 1944, Sgt. Alfred Nietzel fought tenaciously to repel a German counter-attack during WWII. Realizing he desperately needed reinforcements, Nietzel ordered his men back to the company command post to secure aid.

army.mil/medalofhonor/v…
Nietzel remained alone in the forward position, using his machine gun to cover their movements and hold off the German advance. After expending his ammunition, Nietzel began firing his rifle into the attacking ranks until he was killed by an enemy grenade.
Nearly 70 years later after his heroic actions, Nietzel’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the #MedalofHonor by President Obama, March 18, 2014. Robert Nietzel accepted the posthumous award on behalf of his cousin, Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel.
Read 6 tweets
5 Oct 20
Out of 24 Soldiers awarded the #MedalofHonor during the Valor 24 ceremony in 2014, Master Sgt. Jose Rodela was one of only three living recipients to receive the medal for his actions during the Vietnam War.

Here's his story.

📸 ➡️ Nick Del Calzo, spr.ly/6013G0F4H Image
On Sept. 1, 1969, Rodela’s battalion came under an intense barrage of mortar, rocket and machine gun fire.

Despite wounds to his back and head, Rodela repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he single-handedly assaulted and knocked out the B-40 rocket position.

#MoH Image
Master Sgt. Jose Rodela reflects on the heroic actions that earned him the #MedalofHonor, the nation’s highest award for valor.

➡️ spr.ly/6014G0F4y

#MedalOfHonorMonday #HispanicHeritageMonth #MoH
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(