They had to march nine miles before they reached Trenton, taking Colonel Rall and his garrison of Hessians by surprise.
More than a thousand surrendered and were quickly carried back over the river into captivity.
The prestige of the Battle of Trenton was enormous.

For the first time in six months Washington had beaten the superior forces of the British and beaten them in a fortified town of their own choosing.

The result of the victory was not simply military; it quickly penetrated the population of New Jersey which had been exasperatingly Loyalist, had sold the British provisions, and abetted their intrigues.

Now the New Jersey people suddenly bethought them that they might have chosen the wrong side after all.

This feeling was deepened in them a week later when, at Princeton, Washington suddenly fell upon and routed several British regiments.