Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth or Battle of Monmouth Courthouse was a battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth, New Jersey. The British army retreated, but neither side won.[1] Monmouth was the longest battle between the main Continental Army and the main British Army.[2]
Battle
Four days earlier, the leaders of the Continental Army (the Americans) met. Some wanted to fight the British army head-on and some did not. Most of the leaders decided to fight small battles and win slowly.
General George Washington and General Charles Lee led the Continental Army to Englishtown. There, Washington ordered the army to attack British General Sir Henry Clinton's army. During the battle, Lee ordered his own Continental troops to retreat. Washington became angry[3][4] and ordered Lee and "Mad" Anthony Wayne to slow the British down while he, Washington, took command. The Continental Army defended its position while the British attacked all day. That night, the British left in the dark.
There were about 10,000 Continental troops and about 11,000 British troops.[2] About 100 British troops were killed or injured and about 150 Continentals.[4] About 100 people fell or died from heatstroke. George Washington's horse also died of heatstroke.[3]
June 28 was a very hot day. Mary Ludwig Hayes brought water to her husband and other gunners during the battle many times. One time, she brought water and found her husband had been shot and injured. She took over his job as gunner. People gave her the nickname "Molly Pitcher."[2] There may have been more than one real-life woman who was given the name "Molly Pitcher."[4]
Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette also fought in this battle.[2]
Weapons
Both armies had muskets. The Highland Scots in the British army also had broadswords. The British and the German soldiers had bayonets, long blades attached to the ends of the muskets. The Continental army had been trying to get bayonets. Some of the Virginia troops had rifled firearms.[4]
This was the first time the Continental army used the tactics and training they had learned at Valley Forge from then-Acting Inspector General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben.[4]
Outcome
General Lee asked to be court-martialed for his actions in this battle.[2] He was sentenced to one year suspension.[4]
After the Battle of Monmouth, the war moved to the South.[2]
Today
Reenactors reenact the battle at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Freehold, New Jersey.[1]
Battle Of Monmouth Media
General Henry Clinton by Andrea Soldi
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben by Charles Willson Peale
Routes taken by the Continental Army from Valley Forge (dark blue) and the British Army from Philadelphia (red) to the Battle of Monmouth. Where the roads allowed, the British first division took the western route while the second division followed a parallel route farther east. The dashed blue line shows Lafayette's attempt to catch the British when he was commander of the vanguard.
Major General Lafayette by Joseph-Désiré Court
General overview of the battle
Lee's attack on the British rearguard
Contemporary map drawn by Lafayette's aide
American rearguard action at the Battle of Monmouth
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Battle of Monmouth: The Longest Battle of the American Revolution". Library of Congress. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "The Battle of Monmouth Court House". RevolutionaryWar.us. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Battle of Monmouth". Mount Vernon. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Battle of Monmouth". BritishBattles.org. Retrieved December 29, 2020.