Just finished reading "To Try Men's Souls" - spoiler ahead >>>


What was the significance of Trenton if they weren't going to hold it?

I understand the moral victory, the incredible feat that they accomplished, and the inspirational factor... but why did they originally want to take Trenton if they weren't going to stay?

Was the motivation for the attack the acquisition of supplies, damage to the British forces?

Or did they plan to hold it, but the Hessians that escaped (or the condition of the American forces) made that impractical?

I guess I can understand that the couldn't hold it, given the situation. But was the original plan to hold it and advance from there? Or was it just the only thing within reach and Washington had to do something?