Some officers urged an immediate assault; but night was falling, and Cornwallis, sure of the game, decided to wait till the morrow.

He, too, forgot that he was facing an enemy who never overlooked a mistake, and never waited an hour.

With quick decision Washington left his camp-fires burning on the river bank, and taking roundabout roads, which he had already reconnoitred, marched on to Princeton.

By sunrise he was in the outskirts of the town.

Mercer, detached with some three hundred men, fell in with Mawhood's regiment, and a sharp action ensued.