Washington sent 6,400 troops commanded by major general charles lee to attack the british column of march near monmouth court house, new jersey. Read the revolution the march to monmouth museum of. Monmouth battle took place was there and engaged in said battle and received a wound from a musket ball in his thigh during the engagement. After evacuating philadelphia, pennsylvania on june 18, clinton intended to march his,000man army to new york city. June 1778 was a tumultuous month in the annals of american military history. American history and world history can be found at historycental history s home on the web. Follow in the footsteps of heroes and a heroine who, on a hot.
Henry clinton replaced him as commander of all british forces in north america. General washington carefully followed the british and, near monmouth court house, ordered an attack on the rear of their train. In fact recent articles have shown that both sides lost probably much more than the modest numbers often quoted here in most history books. On a hot and humid june 28, 1778, general george washington and his subordinate, general charles lee, attacked rearguard elements of general sir henry clinton s british army. A summary of the battle of monmouth on june 28, 1778. As another easter sunday approaches, old tennent church in manalapan remains a preservationist triumph. The battle of monmouth was fought on june 28, 1778, during the american revolution 1775 to 1783. William stryker wrote a full length history many years ago, and while its comprehensive, the authors bias is decidedly slanted toward the patriot cause. The battle, fought on june 28, 1778 in new jersey, featured british forces under the command of lieutenant general sir henry clinton and continental forces under the command of general george washington. A reenactment of the battle of monmouth is usually held. Washington averted a nearcatastrophe and showed that his ragtag troops were the equal of the enemy on the battlefield, while the british achieved their ultimate objective and reached new york. In london the events of 1777 made the government decide that a change of command was needed in america, but lord george germain, the secretary for america, did not wish to dismiss both the howe brothers. Jan 21, 2016 the battle of monmouth took place on sunday, june 28, 1778 at monmouth, new jersey.
The battle of monmouth courthouse was not only the last major action in the northern theater, it was also the longest and hardestfought engagement of the entire revolutionary war. The monmouth county historical association features a unique collection of objects and artifacts that document over three centuries of monmouth county history and culture, ranging in date from the early 17 the century to present day. The battle of monmouth was a turning point in the american revolutionary war. The british soon tested the continental armys newfound discipline at the battle of monmouth, which took place in central new jersey on june. To learn more about the museums plans for a national museum in philadelphia that will. In april 1778, howe received word that his resignation was accepted. Men of color at the battle of monmouth, june 28, 1778. Battle of monmouth 1778 historycentral home historys. The battle took place on june 28, 1778 and was one of the last major battles of the. Louis xvi s government was intent on aiding the patriot cause in the wake of the british failure at saratoga in october of the previous year. The battle of monmouth took place on sunday, june 28, 1778 at monmouth, new jersey. The battle of monmouth was fought near monmouth court house on june 28, 1778, during the american revolutionary war. Battle of monmouth june 28, 1778 american revolutionary. Battle of monmouth 1778 the british withdrew from philadelphia with a large train of supplies.
Explore our list of monmouth, battle of, freehold, n. Monmouth, battle of, in the american revolution, fought june 28, 1778, near the village of monmouth courthouse now freehold, n. The battle of monmouth, june 28, 1778, marked the debut of the american army after the hard winters training at valley forge. For the british, general sir henry clinton commanded 11,000 men under the leadership of lieutenant general lord charles cornwallis. Two soldiers dressed in continental uniforms are approaching washington from the left.
The last great battle in the north, by brendan morrissey. Up to 100 men are thought to have died of heatstroke during the battle. The british soon tested the continental armys newfound discipline at the battle of monmouth, which took place in central new jersey on june 28, 1778. It pitted the continental army, commanded by general george washington, against the british army in north america, commanded by general sir henry clinton. Follows the site of a major revolutionary war battle, check out the displays in the visitor center for context. Jul 02, 2012 monmouth certainly gets mentioned in every history of the rev war, but indepth studies are scarce. Apr 15, 2012 the largest scale battle of the american revolution. National park service colonials and patriots monmouth. Read the revolution fatal sunday museum of the american. A documentary history of the army engineers in the american revolution, 17751783, by paul k. Bloodstained pew, hidden grave tells quite a story at monmouths oldest church. Books on the battle of monmouth friends of monmouth.
Stryker does provide a more detailed description of the battle, but with some unfortunate. To learn more about the museums plans for a national museum in philadelphia that will tell the complete story of the revolution, click here. This is the best book i have read so far on the battle of monmouth courthouse in freehold, nj. The americans likely lost close to 700, and the british perhaps a thousand. One holds a red flag on a carrying pole with a red, white and blue canton in its upper corner. When clinton counterattacked, lee ordered his badly deployed t. The battle is considered a draw with 500 british casualties and 300 americans casualties. Read our interview with mark lender and garry wheeler stone about their book, fatal sunday. Full text of the chaplains and clergy at the battle of monmouth 28 june 1778 see other formats the chaplains and clergy at the battle of monmouth, 28 june 1778 by chaplain cpt stanley w. The battle of monmouth was fought near monmouth court house on june 28, 1778, during the.
The continental army attacked the rear of the british army column as they left monmouth court house modern freehold borough. The battle of monmouth happened near monmouth courthouse freehold borough, new jersey today on june 28, 1778, during the american revolutionary war. Battle of monmouth painting shows george washington rallying his men while an embarrassed charles lee waits nearby. Hike with history along forests, fields, and farms that featured in the battle of monmouth in 1778. It took place on the 28 th of june, 1778, between the british army and the american soldiers under general washington. They occupied the american capital of philadelphia, having dispatched the rebel congress in ignominious flight to york, pennsylvania.
Although the battle of monmouth was basically a draw, both sides were able to claim victory. The battle of monmouth court house, new jersey, is among the mo. The battle of monmouth courthouse was not only the last major action in the. It is also known as the battle of monmouth courthouse. France had initially doubted america s resolve and ability to wage an effective war against britain, but. George washington, the monmouth campaign, and the politics of battle.
Battle of monmouth june 28, 1778 american revolutionary war. The battle of monmouth, june 28, 1778, historian william griffith retells the story of what many historians have dubbed the battle that made the american army, and takes you along the routes trekked by both armies on their marches toward destiny. Philadelphia s large loyalist population wined and dined the officers and howe conducted an open affair with the wife of consenting joshua loring jr. George washington, the monmouth campaign, and the politics of battle, by mark lender and dr. Battle of monmouth george washingtons mount vernon.
The british suffered some 300 casualties and the americans 350. Cuyler united states army chaplain center and school fort monmouth, new jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course, chaplain officers advance. Webb was with his company in shepherds regiment, and glovers brigade at the battle of monmouth, june 28, 1778, when washington turned. But on the afternoon of june 28, 1778, washington exploded in a rage at his second in command general charles lee, in a moment that became legendary.
Somehow, general george washington and the continental army. The battle of monmouth on june 28, 1778 saw a colonial american army under major general george washington fight a british army led by lieutenant general henry clinton. Major general charles lee commanded 12,000 men of the continental army under the leadership of general george washington. The friends of monmouth battlefield are dedicated to protecting, preserving and interpreting the military and social history of the monmouth campaign of 1778 and the cultural landscapes of both the battlefield and associated sites within a. Only osprey has come out with one of its battle studies which seems again surprising. A monmouth county historical association study estimates total british casualties at 1,4. When the british abandoned philadelphia to return to new york city, american troops harassed their retreat.
The battle of monmouth took place on 25 november 1233, the feast day of st catherine, between forces loyal to henry iii, king of england, and those of richard marshal, earl of pembroke and lord marshal of england, who had formed an alliance with the welsh prince llywelyn ap iorwerth and his supporter owain ap gruffudd, a grandson of rhys of deheubarth. The main british achievement of 1777 had been the capture of philadelphia, but in the changes circumstances of 1778, with the main focus of the british war effort now directed against the french, philadelphia was no longer seen as an asset. Jul 28, 2019 the battle of monmouth was fought on june 28, 1778, during the american revolution 1775 to 1783. Close call at monmouth, 1778 the new york public library. Reprint of booklet published by the new jersey historical commission in 1975. Books on the battle of monmouth friends of monmouth battlefield. Molly pitcher, heroine of the battle of monmouth court house during the american revolution. The planned march of british troops through new jersey 200 years ago this weekend was marred by mosquitoes and the battle of monmouth, the. George washington chose this location to attack the british troops, who were retreating from philadelphia to new york city. Although the american army outnumbered its foe twotoone and had undergone extensive training in the art of war during its winter encampment at valley forge, lee, who. Historical statements concerning the battle of kings mountain and the battle of the cowpens, south carolina 1928, by army war college u. Battle of monmouth 1778 historycentral home historys home. The largest scale battle of the american revolution. The battle of monmouth was an american revolutionary war battle fought on june 28, 1778, in monmouth county, new jersey.
While the british had escaped, the americans claimed victory in the battle of monmouth and washington was lauded for his bravery. The battle that made the american army yardley, pennsylvania. The previous year, burgoynes army surrendered to gates at saratoga, bringing france into the war. General howe successfully moved his army to new york. Monmouth was one of the largest battles of the american revolution and was the last major battle fought by washingtons main army until yorktown, yet to date the best book on the subject was william strykers battle of monmouth, which was written at end of the 19th century and time has exposed several flaws. Battle of monmouth court house, june 28, 1778 in monmouth. George washingtons mount vernon had the opportunity to speak with mark edward lender and garry wheeler stone about their recently published book, fatal sunday. The battle fought on 28 th june 1778 by the american continental army against the british, after the 17778 winter spent training under steuben. Privately owned farmland, public roads, and abandoned line of pennsylvania railroad. During the march from philadelphia, clintons army lost around 550 deserters, of whom 450 were. The battle of monmouth, new jersey, on june 28, 1778 new. On the morning of june 28, 1778, a scorching hot day, general george washington ordered general charles lee to attack the british near monmouth, new jersey. Charles lee was one of the most senior officers in the continental army.
Lafayette later recalled, in regards to washingtons service at monmouth that, i thought then as now i had never beheld so superb a man. The battle of monmouth on june 28, 1778 saw a colonial american army under major general george washington fight a british army led by lieutenant general sir henry clinton. Monmouth certainly gets mentioned in every history of the rev war, but indepth studies are scarce. Monmouth was the largest field battle of the war, and the contest went on for many hours in sweltering heat. Jun 26, 2014 the battle of monmouth was a turning point in the american revolutionary war. The winter of 177778 was one of relative ease for british forces under general william howe. Battle of monmouth on 28th june 1778 in the american revolutionary war. Fatal sunday is the new, definitive account of this important, but often overlooked, revolutionary war campaign in new jersey. Download image of the battle of monmouth, new jersey, on june 28, 1778.
The battle of monmouth was fought in monmouth county, new jersey and was part of the philadelphia campaign 177778. Although the american army outnumbered its foe twotoone and had undergone extensive training in the art of war during its winter encampment at valley forge. Named for the brave soldiers who gave their lives just a few miles away at the battle of monmouth court house in 1778, fort monmouth was the site of some of the most significant communications and electronics breakthroughs in military history. A reenactment of the battle of monmouth is usually held over the third weekend of june every year. Read the revolution the march to monmouth museum of the. George washington and the monmouth campaign of 1778. Books on the battle of monmouth the friends of monmouth. Monmouth relives the battle of 1778 the new york times. Articles such as this one were acquired and published with the primary aim of expanding the information on with greater speed and efficiency than has traditionally been possible.
The battle of monmouth, also known as the battle of monmouth courthouse, was an important battle in the american revolution. Lionel pincus and princess firyal map division, the new york public library. Presents an analysis of the battle of monmouth and the entire campaign along. The last great battle in the north campaign morrissey, brendan, hook, adam on. Washington had spent the winter at valley forge rebu. The planned march of british troops through new jersey 200 years ago this weekend was marred by mosquitoes and the battle of monmouth, the largest and longest battle of the revolution. Even if the various attacks by the british were not pushed home more ardently casualties were no doubt higher than we have been lead to believe by the propaganda of both sides. The british, sir henry clinton, the new british commander, retreated from philadelphia to new york.
The british and american armies fought all day in the intense heat. Read the revolution is published biweekly by the museum of the american revolution to inspire learning about the history of the american revolution and its ongoing relevance. His brother george related in a supporting deposition that at the monmouth battle he was a soldier in the militia, and understanding that his brother. British commanders had received word in early 1778 that a french fleet was on its way to america. It seems surprising that after all these years there has not been a more recent full length work on the battle of monmouth. The battle of monmouth was fought near monmouth court house modernday freehold borough, new jersey on june 28, 1778, during the american revolutionary war. According to legend, at the battle of monmouth june 28, 1778, mary hays, wife of artilleryman william hays, carried water to cool both the cannon and the soldiers in her husbands batteryhence the. The name monmouth has been synonymous with the defense of freedom since our countrys inception. Full text of the chaplains and clergy at the battle of. After evacuating philadelphia, pennsylvania on june 18, clinton intended to march his,000man army to new. The continental army under general george washington attacked the rear of the british army column commanded by lieutenant general sir henry clinton as they left monmouth court house modern freehold borough. The battle began as general henry clinton led his british forces from philadelphia and started marching through new jersey. The role of african americans and native americans at monmouth. It was the last battle of the philadelphia campaign, begun the previous year, during which the british had inflicted two major defeats on washington and occupied philadelphia.
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