Historedia
Person

Johann Rall

Events
2
Episodes
11
Years
1776

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Johann Rall, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Battle of Trenton

    1776

    Role: Hessian colonel commanding the Trenton garrison; killed in the battle

    1. December 14, 1776 · Hessian winter quarters in Trenton, New JerseyHessians Establish Winter Quarters at Trenton

      Four Hessian regiments under Colonel Rall occupied Trenton in mid-December 1776, though the troops found no rest there.

    2. December 17–22, 1776 · Outposts around TrentonAdvance-Party Ambushes Before the Battle

      In the week before the battle, American advance parties ambushed Hessian patrols and pickets, keeping the garrison unsettled.

    3. December 25, 1776 (evening) · Abraham Hunt's farm near TrentonHoneyman's Deception and Hunt's Christmas Hospitality

      Washington's spy John Honeyman convinced the Hessians no attack was coming, while Abraham Hunt's Christmas hosting lulled Rall.

    4. Night of December 25–26, 1776 · Delaware River crossing north of TrentonDelaware Crossing and the Approach March

      Washington's 2,400-man main force crossed the Delaware north of Trenton on the night of December 25–26 and split into two columns.

    5. December 26, 1776 · Trenton, New JerseyThe Surprise Attack on Trenton

      At 8 a.m. on December 26, Washington's columns converged on Trenton, cut off escape routes, and overwhelmed the Hessians after fierce resistance.

    6. December 26, 1776 · Trenton, New JerseySurrender, Casualties, and Captured Supplies

      The Hessians lost 22 killed including Rall, with 896 captured; the Americans seized tons of provisions and supplies.

  2. Crossing of the Delaware

    1776

    Role: Commander of the Hessian troops encamped at Trenton, defeated after the crossing

    1. December 19, 1776 · Continental Army encampment in PennsylvaniaMorale crisis and The American Crisis

      A week before the crossing, expiring enlistments threatened the army, but Paine's pamphlet published December 19 lifted morale.

    2. December 25, 1776 · Washington's headquarters and encampment near the ferrySecret planning and preparations

      Washington planned three crossings in secrecy, justified the risk as dire necessity, and on December 25 issued logistical orders.

    3. December 25, 1776 (afternoon and evening) · Crossing point on the Pennsylvania bankEvening assembly at the ferry

      The army arrived at 4 pm on December 25, but most troops reached the crossing point only around 6 pm, after sunset.

    4. Night of December 25–26, 1776 · Delaware River between Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Mercer County, New JerseyNight crossing of the Delaware

      On the night of December 25–26, Washington's column crossed the icy river from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Mercer County, New Jersey.

    5. Late December 1776 · Delaware River crossings between Pennsylvania and New JerseyReturn crossings and captured stores

      After Trenton, the army recrossed to Pennsylvania with Hessian prisoners and stores, then crossed a third time at the end of 1776.

Sources

  1. Battle of Trenton Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29
  2. George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-11