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The Battle of Monmouth raged in the scorching 96 degree heat on June 28, 1778. This moving battle covered a distance of about
20 linear miles, beginning in Freehold Courthouse and continuing into Middletown, NJ. Of the approximately 30,000 troops engaged
in battle, about 501 died, half of which succumbed to heat stroke.
The main portion of the battle took
place on what is now Monmouth Battlefield State Park, which contains approximately 1900 acres of battlefield property. Back
in 1778, portions of the property were being farmed, including the sites of the John Sutfin house and the parsonage.
The foundations for this long, bloody battle began early in June of 1778, when British Commander-in-Chief Sir
Henry Clinton withdrew his troops from Philadelphia and headed toward New York City. He decided to take his 20,000 men across
"the Jersies", along with a baggage train of about 1,500 wagons containing provisions, munitions, and equipment.
When George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, found out about this move, he planned to intersect the
British.
Even before daybreak on June 28 the British army began moving out of Freehold. Approaching from
Englishtown (3 miles west) were 5,000 American troops under Major General Charles Lee, Second-in-Command of the Continental
Line. At the same time, Washington was advancing with 8,000 men from Manalapan Bridge, 6 miles west.
As
Lee's troops approached the "great plain" circling toward the British rear guard, they did not remain concealed
in the woods. British Grenadiers witnessed them, and before long the Continental Army saw a dust cloud caused by 9,000 crack
British and Hessian troops, who had doubled back to attack Lee's approaching men. The attacking Grenadiers, Brigade of Guards
and three Brigades of British Foot formed a half-mile wide double line as they approached the Continentals.
Against Washington's direct orders to attack the British, Lee ordered his men to retreat, causing confusion which resulted
in an extremely disorderly withdrawal. While seeking a defensive position Lee lost communication with two large detachments:
William Maxwell's New Jersey Brigade and Charles Scott's light infantry of 1,500 men. Incorrect information led Lee to believe
Scott and Maxwell had already withdrawn, leaving Lee with only 2,500 men against Clinton's forces of 10,000.
Lee's withdrawal left several Continental units stranded in the woods. While some were able to escape, others were cut
off by the advancing British troops and had to fight their way through. Most of the battalions eventually joined Washington,
who ordered Lee to delay the British advance long enough for Washington to get his main army in position.
Rather
than discouraging the British, the new American formations made the British strengthen their efforts. Once in position, Clinton
led an attack against the Continentals and in minutes, the British took most of Lee's positions. But as two Continental battalions
fled with Grenadiers in pursuit, a sudden attack of grapeshot from Continental guns killed the leader of the battalion and
the British advance collapsed.
In retaliation, Clinton's guns bombarded American positions with solid
shot and shell for hours, with American guns responding in kind. But because the distance of a half mile between the opposing
forces was too great, damage was minimal. By mid-afternoon Clinton reluctantly ordered his flanking columns to withdraw, but
gunfire from a Continental brigade blocked their position, forcing Clinton to withdraw his artillery. Without the support
of their artillery, retreating British columns were left vulnerable.
This was Washington's chance to
mount his planned offensive. Dispatching some of Scott's men along with Anthony Wayne and three of his Pennsylvania regiments,
the retreating Third Brigade and the rear of the British First Division were confronted. Wayne's attack on the First Division
provoked a brutal firefight that raged around the hedgerow and parsonage buildings until the British were forced to withdraw.
By then it was late afternoon and both armies were exhausted, ending the Battle of Monmouth. Clinton withdrew his troops toward
Freehold and lit decoy campfires, escaping with his troops during the night.
Lee's sudden and unexpected
retreat is said to have been the action that began the Battle of Monmouth, which could have resulted in major American losses
and cost the Continentals a definitive victory. Right up through his court marial, Lee believed his actions were justified
regardless of the fact that his retreat caused a much larger battle than Washington originally intended. Letters sent between
Washington and Lee illustrate the tension between these two officers; you can read these letters and find out more about his
court martial by clicking the above link, "Washington/Lee Letters".
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