At the Battle of Trenton, Washington used which tactic to achieve success?

• A. Surprise crossing of the Delaware
• B. Direct assault on entrenched positions
• C. Naval blockade
• D. Cavalry charge

Answer: (A)

The tactic being tested is the element of surprise achieved through a clandestine river crossing. Washington chose to cross the Delaware at night, under difficult conditions, with his troops slipping across the icy river and then striking the Hessian garrison at Trenton at dawn. This unexpected move caught the enemy off guard, allowing a quick, decisive victory with relatively light casualties and a significant boost to American morale and recruitment.

Direct assault on entrenched positions would have been far riskier and slower, especially after attempting a river crossing under adverse conditions. A naval blockade doesn’t fit the situation, since there was no large-scale naval operation to pin down the enemy along the river. A cavalry charge isn’t historically accurate here, as the Continental Army had limited cavalry and the attack relied on infantry in surprise rather than mounted shock action.