They were Germans, who had been sold by their rulers to Britain's king to fight his battles.

They were called Hessians by the Americans because most of them came from the little German state of Hesse Cassel.
[Illustration: Battle of Trenton.] [Illustration: Battle of Princeton.] [Sidenote: Battle of Princeton, 1777.

_Source-Book_, 149-151.] 144.

Princeton, January, 1777 .-- Trenton saved the Revolution by giving the Americans renewed courage.

General Howe sent Lord Cornwallis with a strong force to destroy the Americans.