During the Princeton campaign, which tactic did Washington deploy to surprise Cornwallis?

During the Princeton campaign, which tactic did Washington deploy to surprise Cornwallis?

• A. Feint tactic with a small security element at Trenton
• B. Direct frontal assault on Cornwallis
• C. Naval bombardment of the enemy positions
• D. Retreat and regroup to a new position

Answer: (A)

Washington’s move hinges on using deception to win surprise. He kept a small security force at Trenton and presented the impression that his main army remained there. In reality, the bulk of his troops shifted toward Princeton and struck Cornwallis unexpectedly from that direction. The element of surprise disrupted the British plan and allowed a relatively small American force to win a decisive victory, boosting morale and momentum for the Continental Army. This approach highlights why a feint with a minor spear at Trenton fits best: it creates plausible cover for a different, surprise attack. A direct frontal assault would have been riskier and more costly, a naval bombardment isn’t applicable on land, and simply retreat would have squandered the opportunity to seize the initiative.

Washington’s move hinges on using deception to win surprise. He kept a small security force at Trenton and presented the impression that his main army remained there. In reality, the bulk of his troops shifted toward Princeton and struck Cornwallis unexpectedly from that direction. The element of surprise disrupted the British plan and allowed a relatively small American force to win a decisive victory, boosting morale and momentum for the Continental Army.

This approach highlights why a feint with a minor spear at Trenton fits best: it creates plausible cover for a different, surprise attack. A direct frontal assault would have been riskier and more costly, a naval bombardment isn’t applicable on land, and simply retreat would have squandered the opportunity to seize the initiative.