 At the edge of town , the 55th Regiment received orders from Mawhood to fall back and join the 40th Regiment in town . The 40th had taken up a position just outside town , on the North side of a ravine . The 55th formed up to the left of the 40th . The 55th sent a platoon to flank the oncoming Americans , but it was cut to pieces . When Sullivan sent several regiments to scale the ravine , they fell back to a breastwork . After making a brief stand , the British fell back again , some leaving Princeton , and others taking up refuge in Nassau Hall . Alexander Hamilton brought three cannons up and had them blast away at the building . Then some Americans rushed the front door , broke it down , and the British put a white flag outside one of the windows . Exactly 194 British soldiers walked out of the building and laid down their arms . 
