The Christmas time battle, which is also known as the Battle of Trenton, took place in Trenton, New Jersey on December 25, 1776. That night, General George Washington and 2,400 soldiers, attacked the Hessian forces by surprise. The Hessians who were Germans serving the British during the American revolution, were not prepared for the battle, so Washington and the Continental Army surrounded the Hessians on land and at sea. Some of the Hessians escaped, but nearly 1,000 were captured. Although this victory was not very important, it helped the American colonists gain confidence to continue fighting for their independence.