From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol I. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
The defeat of the Hessians at Trenton, was primarily owing to a dispute which existed between the English and German troops. Colonel Rahl, apprehending that he should be attacked by superior numbers, required of Lord Cornwallis a reinforcement. Two regiments, under Colonel Grant, were detached for that purpose. The English troops showed a reluctance to assist the Hessians. They halted a few hours, during which interval Colonel Rahl was defeated.
The disputes between the English and the Hessians troops originated from the following incident: An officer of the regiment of Losberg engaged some English officers at Princeton in a conversation respecting military discipline. An English officer, whether heated by liquor, or irascible through passion, replied to the German by throwing a punch bowl at his head. The insult was properly resented. But the seeds of discord being thus unhappily sown, a crop of evils ensued. The private men, adopting the quarrels of their officers, indulged themselves in frequent rencounters. 1
1 Pennsylvania Journal, June 25.