The focus is on General George Washington aiding the mortally wounded Hessian Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall.

[3] It is one of Trumbull's series of historical paintings on the war, which also includes the Declaration of Independence and The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777.

The artist intended to show the compassion of General George Washington in this painting, as he wrote in the catalogue for his exhibited works at Yale University in 1835: The magnanimous kindness displayed by Washington, on this occasion, offers a sublime example of true heroism, and well deserves to be imitated by all military men.

The artist chose this subject, and composed the picture, for the express purpose of giving a lesson to all living and future soldiers in the service of his country, to show mercy and kindness to a fallen enemy,–their enemy no longer when wounded and in their power.Starting in 1775, Trumbull himself served in the war, having been appointed second aide-de-camp to Washington.

[1] In the center of the painting, American General George Washington is focusing his attention on the needs of the mortally wounded Hessian Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall.

Rall is being helped by American Major William Stephens Smith, aide-de-camp to General John Sullivan.

[1][2][12][13] To the left and behind Rall, severely wounded American Lieutenant James Monroe is attended to by Dr. John Riker.