Andreas Wiederholdt, Sketch of the Engagement at Trenton (1776)

Andreas Wiederholdt was a lieutenant in one of three Hessian regiments commanded by Colonel Johann Rall and surprised by the attack of Washington’s army on December 26, 1776.  On Christmas night, Washington led his men across the icy Delaware River and on a ten-mile march into Trenton, New Jersey, where they surprised 1,500 Hessian troops. Shortly after the battle and escaping capture, Wiederholdt  drew this map  to document the Hessian defeat. The map depicts Washington's routes of attack and the Hessian and American troop positions during the battle. The town of Trenton is mapped in the northeast, the Delaware River to the south of the town, and surrounding routes for potential retreat in several corners of the map.  Modern data visualizations of the battle can be found here.