The previous year, burgoynes army surrendered to gates at saratoga, bringing france into the war. The british withdrew from philadelphia with a large train of supplies. On this day in history, june 28, 1778, the battle of monmouth is the last major battle of the american revolution in the north. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The battle of monmouth, new jersey, on june 28, 1778 nypl b512824420927. The notion that clintons sole objective was to retreat to new york is belied by his own testimony that he stopped at freehold monmouth for three days waiting for washington to attack him there.
The american battlefield trusts map of the battle of monmouth. 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. A few years ago a project was undertaken by garry w. The battle of monmouth, june 28, 1778, marked the debut of the american army after the hard winters training at valley forge. Lafayette later recalled, in regards to washingtons service at monmouth that, i thought then as now i had never beheld so superb a man. Monmouth, battle of george washington at the battle of monmouth 1778 during the american revolutionary war. Books programs available historical information links to articles and research by john rees other links. On the whole this undertaking was a success, with newly found firsthand accounts, maps, and returns being donated by. Historical statements concerning the battle of kings mountain and the battle of the cowpens, south carolina 1928, by army war college u. Students will learn how americans used the soldiering skills they mastered at valley forge to ambush the british at monmouth, new jersey, on that sultry summer day and engage them in the biggest oneday battle of the revolution.
Explore our list of monmouth, battle of, freehold, n. Books on the battle of monmouth friends of monmouth. The forgotten first battle of monmouth journal of the american. Washington won the battle by every measure of the day. Lc maps of north america, 17501789, 1282 available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. A summary of the battle of monmouth 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. Battle of monmouth george washingtons mount vernon. The battle of monmouth, new jersey, on june 28, 1778. In june of 1778, british lieutenant general sir henry clinton was ordered to evacuate philadelphia and join up with the main british army at new york city. Below is a primer on the forgotten first battle of monmouth. The planned march of british troops through new jersey 200 years ago this weekend was marred by mosquitoes and the battle of monmouth, the. The authors set the battle within the context of the american revolution and the civil war between tories and whigs that erupted in new jersey during that time. The continental army attacked the rear of the british army column as they left monmouth court house modern freehold borough.
Full text of a history of monmouth and ocean counties. For more information, see the website of the friends of monmouth battlefield, who cosponsor the event. Major general charles lee commanded 12,000 men of the continental army under the leadership of general george washington. The significance of the battle of monmouth is as confused at the battle itself.
Hundreds of great books on the american revolution. William strykers battle of monmouth is the premier book on the battle, yet. Up to 100 men are thought to have died of heatstroke during the battle. The battle of monmouth was fought in monmouth county, new jersey and was part of the philadelphia campaign 177778. The battle of monmouth, volume vi in the acclaimed battles from the age of reason series, the game is explore the battlefields of the american revolution. While the british had escaped, the americans claimed victory in the battle of monmouth and washington was lauded for his bravery. Battle of monmouth wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. The monmouth battle itself was a confused affair and only recently have serious efforts been made to make sense of the days events. The battle of monmouth was the first major battle that washingtons continental army took part in after the brutal winter of 177778. It is also known as the battle of monmouth courthouse unsteady handling of lead continental elements by major general charles lee had. The main victim was lee, whose conduct led to a courtmartial at which he was found guilty of failing to attack despite orders to do so, of conducting a shameful retreat, and of showing disrespect to the commander in chief. The importance of the battle of monmouth in the american. In december 1776, the british army chased washingtons continentals across new jersey into pennsylvania, sparking loyalist counterinsurrections across the state.
National park service colonials and patriots monmouth. George washington, the monmouth campaign, and the politics of battle, by mark lender and dr. In the wake of the british evacuation of philadelphia, general george washington was anxious to test the revitalized continental army. During the march from philadelphia, clintons army lost around 550 deserters, of whom 450 were. The battle of monmouth was the longest continuous battle of the revolutionary war.
Bilby served as a lieutenant in the 1st infantry division in vietnam and is author of many books on military history, including a revolution in arms. June 28, 1778, the last time two full armies met in battle during the revolutionary war. In fact had clinton been able to push his heatexhausted troops harder they might have gained the crucial ground that washy manages to make his epic stand upon. The british suffered some 300 casualties and the americans 350. Buy now on amazonthe battle of monmouth, fought in new jersey on june 28, 1778, between the american and british armies, has been the subject of several books, all of which have contributed to. A battle of monmouth reenactment is held at the park each june. Archambault, alan molly pitcher battle of monmouth bellerophon coloring book history. The fight soon turned into a general engagement between british and american forces. The largest scale battle of the american revolution. 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. Fought on june 28, 1778, the battle of monmouth is correctly. Close call at monmouth, 1778 the new york public library. Historical information on the battle of monmouth friends.
It was the last battle of the philadelphia campaign, begun the previous year. I was at the visitors center at monmouth battlefield and people would push. Memorial of the committee of arrangements for the unveiling of the monmouth battle monument, at freehold, new jersey. They occupied the american capital of philadelphia, having dispatched the rebel congress in ignominious flight to york, pennsylvania. They felt increasingly isolated watching lee push out the right flank, and with british troops marching towards monmouth court house to their south, they became. Books and parchment were tucked under his arm and even an envelope protruded from his mouth. He fought in the battle of long island, his unit, the 4th battalion of new york, was among the last to leave the field. Stone of monmouth battlefield state park to gather primary material on the 28 june 1778 battle. When you visit, you will pass enlisted men cleaning their weapons or idle away their time, and watch the women of the army cook, mend, and wash. The battle of monmouth revolutionary war bicentennial series philip freneau press bicentennial series on the american revolution. British and american forces met at the battle of monmouth, new jersey, in june 1778.
The importance of the battle of monmouth in the american revolutionary war few, when writing about the american revolution, list the battle of monmouth among the significant battles. The battle of monmouth rutgers history rutgers university. Upon seeing me, he lifted his free hand in a friendly salute or i thought he did, i was too busy trying to find out which direction the soldiers had gone that my brothers figure was only visible. Philadelphia had been occupied in september of 1777, but the entry of france into the war on the american side made the british change their entire strategy. George washington, the monmouth campaign, and the politics of battle, by mark edward lender and garry wheeler stone university of oklahoma press, 2016. Battle of monmouth on 28th june 1778 in the american revolutionary war. Events and issues were leading up to the battle of lexington and concord in but a. The battle of monmouth courthouse was not only the last major action in the northern. Wayne received a severe scalp wound, stunning him, but he pushed on and led the americans to victory, capturing the fort and 543 british prisoners. The battle of monmouth the reenactment of the battle of monmouth is an annual event at the park in late june. Neither side won the battle, but george washington proved that his continentals could stand up against the best that the british had to offer. See more ideas about battle of monmouth, american revolution and. The battle of monmouth explores the fateful events of june 28, 1778 when the continental army led by george washington attacked sir henry clintons british and hessian column as it withdrew from philadelphia and retreated across new jersey. 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.
Monmouth was the largest field battle of the war, and the contest went on for many hours in sweltering heat. For the british, general sir henry clinton commanded 11,000 men under the leadership of lieutenant general lord charles cornwallis. Battle of monmouth court house, june 28, 1778 in monmouth. A look at the battle of monmouth using gmts monmouth game duration. In monmouth county, the loyalists were especially well organized. The battle of monmouth in new jersey on june 28, 1778, presented great military theater. Monmouth relives the battle of 1778 the new york times. The enemy will have philadelphia, if they dare make a bold push for it, unless. The battle of monmouth was fought on june 28, 1778, during the american revolution 1775 to 1783. Book illustration for murrays history of the american war, 1780. The battle of monmouth was fought near monmouth court house modernday freehold borough, new jersey on june 28, 1778, during the american revolutionary war.