I agree that historian short change Washington’s military abilities. One key thing he had was the ability to learn from mistakes !
He was a genius of slipping away.
Or at least, he was up against commanders who refused to believe it.
IIRC (after years I may forget which was which), after Trenton (which is more than people think - including the fact that Brits came in to re-enforce and pinned the rebel army across the Assunpink), Howe wanted to rest for the night. Subordinate generals including Cornwallis begged him to press the attack. They knew Washington would probably have something up his sleeve.
Next thing they knew, Washington and the army had slipped away east and headed to Princeton.