The Hessians were caught off guard from "summary" of Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer
It was on the night of December 25, 1776, when General George Washington launched a daring attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton. The Hessians, German mercenaries fighting for the British, were caught completely unawares by Washington's assault. The element of surprise was key to Washington's strategy, and it paid off handsomely. The Hessians had been lulled into a false sense of security, believing that the Continental Army was too weak and demoralized to mount any offensive actions. Their complacency proved to be their undoing, as Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River under cover of darkness and launched a surprise attack on Trenton. The Hessians were ill-prepared for the ferocity and determination of the American forces. They were caught off gu...
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