Battle of Monmouth

Date	June 28, 1778
Location	Monmouth Court House, New Jersey
Result	Strategic American victory; Tactical British victory;

Battle of Monmouth
	Part of the American Revolutionary War
	; Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth; by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
Date	June 28, 1778
Location	Monmouth Court House, New Jersey
Result	Strategic American victory; Tactical British victory;
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders
George Washington	Sir Henry Clinton
Strength
11,000	14,000-15,000
Casualties and losses
500 killed, wounded or captured	304 Killed; 770 Wounded; 60 Captured

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The Battle of Monmouth (pronounced /ˈmɒnməθ/) was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in New Jersey. The main Continental Army under George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House (modern Freehold Township).

[edit] Prelude

In May 1778 the British commander, General Clinton, was under orders to evacuate Philadelphia and concentrate his troops at the main British base in New York City, as France had entered the war on the side of the Americans. On June 18, the British began to evacuate Philadelphia, and began their approximately 100-mile march to the northeast across New Jersey to New York City. The British force comprised 11,000 British regulars, a thousand Loyalists from Philadelphia, and a baggage train 12 miles (19 km) long. As the British advanced, the Americans slowed their advance by burning bridges, muddying wells and building abatis across the roads. With a high of over 100 degrees F. both sides lost almost as many men to heat stroke as to the enemy

Major General Charles Lee, Washington's second-in-command, advised awaiting developments as he did not wish to commit the American force, newly-trained by Baron von Steuben, against the British regulars. However, Washington determined that the British column was vulnerable to attack as it traveled across New Jersey with its baggage train, and moved from Valley Forge in pursuit.

Washington was still undecided how to attack the British column, and held a council of war. The council, however, was divided on the issue. None of Washington's generals was in favor of a general action, with Brigadier General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, the boldest of the staff, urging a partial attack on the British column while it was strung out on the road. Lee was still cautious, advising only harassing attacks with light forces. On June 26, 1778, Washington chose to send 4,000 men as an advance force to strike at the British rear guard as they departed Monmouth Courthouse, in order to delay the British withdrawal until the main American force could give battle.

[edit] The Battle

Map of the battle of Monmouth

Lee, as Washington's senior subordinate, was initially appointed commander of the advance force, but turned it down because of his doubts about the plan. However, when the force was increased to 5,000 men and the command offered to the Marquis de Lafayette, Lee changed his mind and insisted on the command.

Lee met with his subordinates but failed to give them proper orders, resulting in a piecemeal and disorganized attack on June 28 against the British rear guard under Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. After several hours of fighting in the hot weather, the British counterattacked and Lee ordered a retreat, which rapidly became a rout.

Washington, advancing with the main force along the Monmouth road, encountered Lee and his fleeing troops, with the British in pursuit. After a heated discussion with Lee, Washington relieved him of command and sent him to the rear. He then rallied Lee's troops, who delayed the British pursuit until the main force could take up positions further to the west.

The remnants of Lee's forces then withdrew to the main American force, where the newly-trained Continental Army troops held the British, repelling several attacks. The British fell back, rested, and resumed their march to the northeast during the night. The exhausted Americans could not pursue.

The next morning the Americans found the British had slipped away during the night, continuing their march without incident to Sandy Hook, arriving there on June 30. The British force was then transported by the Royal Navy across Lower New York Bay to the safety of Manhattan.

The battle was a tactical British victory, as the rearguard successfully covered the British withdrawal. However, strategically it was an American victory, as they were left in possession of the field, and had demonstrated that the Continental Army regiments could stand against the British regulars.^[4]

[edit] Aftermath

Monmouth was the last major battle in the northern theater, and the largest one-day battle of the war when measured in terms of participants. Lee was later court-martialed at the Village Inn located in the center of Englishtown^[5], where he was found guilty and relieved of command for one year.

The legend of "Molly Pitcher" is usually associated with this battle. According to one story, she was the wife of an American artilleryman who came to battle with her husband, bringing water for swabbing the cannons and for the thirsty crews, and took her husband's place at the cannon after he fell. The story is based on a true incident, but has become embellished over the years. Two places on the battlefield are marked as sites of the "Molly Pitcher Spring". ^[6]

Although never accorded formal preservation, Monmouth Battlefield is one of the best preserved of the Revolutionary War battlefields.^[6] Each year during the last weekend in June, the Battle of Monmouth is reenacted at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in modern Freehold Township and Manalapan.

[edit] Archive

The Monmouth County Historical Association at 70 Court Street in Freehold Borough, New Jersey houses a collection of documents which includes personal accounts, journals, pension applications, letters, and miscellaneous printed material. It is a subject collection acquired through various donors.