In the summer of 1778, the Continental army emerged from its transformative winter quarters at Valley Forge and pursued the British army, which abandoned Philadelphia and set off on foot for New York City. On June 28, 1778, a clash in the fields and orchards near Monmouth Courthouse in central New Jersey erupted into full-scale battle. The Battle of Monmouth, also known as the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, was the first test for the renewed Continental army. Today, the field of battle is preserved as the Monmouth Battlefield State Park- a well-maintained, easy to visit, and very informative site.
History
On June 18, 1778, the British army under General Henry Clinton abandoned Philadelphia (which they occupied for nearly nine months) and began an overland march through New Jersey to British-held New York City. After learning of the British movements, General George Washington ordered the Continental army to leave its winter quarters at Valley Forge and to pursue and harass the British army. As the two armies maneuvered across the New Jersey countryside, General Washington hoped for prime conditions to attack and inflict some damage on General Clinton’s rearguard, baggage train, or even his main army (many of the Continental generals agreed with Washington and believed it would be appalling to allow the enemy to march across New Jersey without some sort of resistance or attack). On the evening of June 27, 1778, the British army (~20,000 troops) was encamped along the Dutch Lane and the Freehold-Mount Holly Road, while the main Continental army (~7,800 troops) had coalesced around Manalapan Bridge, located approximately four miles west of Englishtown (the American vanguard of ~4,500 troops under General Charles Lee camped in Englishtown that night).
On the morning of June 28, 1778, General Lee ordered his advanced force under the command of Colonel William Grayson forward, with orders to locate the enemy and attack if conditions were favorable. As Colonel Grayson’s troops marched forward, they encountered fleeing New Jersey militia under General Dickinson, who had just engaged Colonel Simcoe and the Queen’s American Rangers near a hedgerow by the Parsonage Farm.
As the action between the patriot militia and Queen’s American Rangers unfolded, the main British army was on the march away from Monmouth Courthouse. Of course, General Lee nor Colonel Grayson knew the British intentions at the time. As other units maneuvered in the area and gunshots rang out, the environment became confusing and very fluid. General Lee rode forward and informed Colonel Grayson that he was bringing up the remainder of the advanced force. Due to conflicting intelligence reports and a lack of understanding of British movements, General Lee and the advance guard of the Continental army remained near a bridge that spanned the west morass (it was around 8AM).
Eventually, the decision was made to send General “Mad” Anthony Wayne forward with a detachment of ~550 men to find and attack the British rearguard. Based on his knowledge at the time, General Lee concluded that he could attack, isolate, and (ideally) capture the rearguard of the British army, which was likely separated from the main army. In response to increasing gunfire and the formation of Continental forces in the British rear, General Clinton decided to respond in strength and turned around the entire 1st Division (eventually, ~10,000 British troops marched toward General Lee’s force). The British counterstroke led to a series of adjustments and movements in the American line, which ended up with the left and right falling back. General Lee quickly realized he was unable to surround the British rearguard and decided to fall back to a better defensive position near the Ker House. As the British troops bore down on him, he elected to fall back once more to Perrine Hill. Meanwhile, General Washington and the main American army marched east towards the fighting.
It was during those tense moments in the early afternoon that one of the most famous events from the Battle of Monmouth occurred. As General Lee rode west in order to find General Washington (after an encounter with Washington’s aide, Robert Hanson Harrison), the two generals met- it was around 12:45PM. Based on reports and optimistic expectations, General Washington believed that General Lee’s vanguard had operated successfully thus far, and he intended to commit his main force to deal the crushing blow. Thus, when he met a frazzled General Lee and his retreating vanguard (many who continued west, against Lee’s intentions), Washington was quite surprised and angry. The encounter between the two began with Washington’s inquiry (according to Lee), “I desire to know sir, what is the reason-whence arises this disorder and confusion?” General Lee initially stammered, but eventually attempted to explain his decisions and intentions. A later account by General Scott stated that Washington “swore on that day till the leaves shook on the trees,” although this is just a poetic and fanciful exaggeration.
Now under direct command of General Washington, the Continental army formed a new line atop Perrine Hill while advanced forces under command of General Lee (as ordered by Washington) made a stand at the hedgerow to delay the British advance. After savage fighting in the Point of Woods (patriot forces were led by General Wayne), the advancing British troops slammed into General Lee’s force at the hedgerow as a deadly heat nearing 96 degrees enveloped the field of battle.
Fierce fighting at the hedgerow soon led to an American withdrawal, followed by a close British pursuit. During this running fight, British Lieutenant Colonel Henry Monckton was killed- the highest ranking officer from either side to die in the battle (his unknown grave near Old Tennent Church is marked by a stone monument today). General Lee’s stand bought Washington and the main army crucial time. As the British troops advanced toward Perrine Hill, a tremendous nearly two-hour long cannonade began (the largest of the war, though ineffectual). As a stalemate settled between the two armies, General Clinton decided to forego an infantry assault against the American position and ordered a withdrawal.
During this withdrawal, British grenadiers positioned near the hedgerow were met with a withering bombardment from American artillery atop Comb’s Hill on their left flank, which opened up around 3:45PM. Earlier in the day, General Washington ordered General Nathanael Greene and four artillery pieces to fortify the heights, which was recommended by Lieutenant Colonel David Rhea (a local from the area). This cannonade hastened the British withdrawal and proved to be a psychological victory for the Americans.
The Battle of Monmouth ended late in the day, after active maneuvers and reconnoiters by the Continental army. Although General Washington intended to renew the fight on June 29th (fresh troops under General Steuben boosted patriot morale and effectiveness), General Clinton and the British army slipped away around midnight and pressed on towards the remainder of the army encamped at Nut Swamp near Middletown.
The oppressive heat on that June day led to many casualties, including deaths; however, cannon and musket fire took its toll as well. American casualties (as reported by General Washington to Congress) were 69 killed, 161 wounded, and 140 missing. Mark Lender and Gary Wheeler Stone, authors of the book Fatal Sunday, estimate that American wounded was likely closer to 360, with a total of approximately 450-500 American casualties. British General Henry Clinton reported his losses as 65 killed, 59 dead from fatigue (heat exhaustion), 64 missing, and 170 wounded; however, these numbers are likely incorrect. Lender and Stone estimate that the British suffered approximately 250 killed and anywhere between 375-640 wounded.
Interesting Facts
- Few buildings that stood on the battlefield in 1778 remain, but one such building is the Suftin House. This dilapidated structure had been largely left to rot over the years; however, there have been recent efforts to salvage and restore the historic home.
- While the story of “Molly Pitcher” is well-known in American lore, its more myth than truth; however, a woman named Mary Hays did indeed assist a gun crew during the battle. In fact, countless women worked with the Continental army throughout the war and provided crucial services and assistance to the army.
- British Lt. Colonel Henry Monckton was the most senior officer to die (from either side) in the Battle of Monmouth. Although his exact gravesite is unknown, he is believed to be in the Old Tennent Church Cemetery. Today there is a monument dedicated to him near the church.
Our Visit & Recommendations
Monmouth Battlefield State Park (16 NJ-33 Business, Manalapan Township, NJ) offers an informative visitors center, seemingly endless hiking trails, and remarkable views of one of the Revolutionary War’s largest battles. If you have the time, I highly recommend reading the book Fatal Sunday by Mark Lender and Gary Wheeler Stone before your visit. This book provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the Battle of Monmouth, to include the role (and aftermath) that General Charles Lee played. Oftentimes Lee is brushed aside as incompetent and a complete failure in the battle; however, Lender and Stone provide a well-researched and objective view of General Lee’s actions (my view of Lee was swayed by their authoritative work).
We visited Monmouth Battlefield State Park on a sweltering June day, with near-identical temperatures to what was experienced on the day of the battle (of course, we weren’t wearing wool or being shot at). If you decide to visit in the summer and especially if you intend on walking the trails, be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
The visitors center actually sits atop Comb’s Hill, where four artillery pieces under General Greene were placed to fire upon the British left flank during the Battle of Monmouth. In front stands a reproduction french, swedish-style 4-pounder cannon (the first fabricated in the United States). From the visitors center you can begin a Monmouth Battlefield walking tour and maps can be grabbed inside or are available outside if the building is closed (the walking tour ends back at the visitors center). If you are unable to acquire a walking tour map, I’ve included it below.
Despite the oppressive heat, we grabbed some water and set out on the walking tour (I like to visit historic sites when the weather is similar to what was experienced during that particular historic event). The tour consists of 11 stops and takes you to Comb’s Hill (where it begins), the hedgerow, and parsonage site. The trail and stops are well-marked and interpretive signs are posted throughout the walking tour.
We began atop Comb’s Hill and despite the overgrowth of trees and brush, it is easy to understand why the heights were fortified by Continental artillery. From stop #1, simply walk straight down the hill towards a wooden walkway, which has a tour stop #2 sign by it. From here, the trail goes in a counter-clockwise fashion. Below are a few photos from our walk along the trail:
The walking tour took us approximately 45 minutes and generally, it takes most 45-60 minutes to complete (one thing to keep in mind is that there are no benches or trashcans along the route). Of course, the Comb’s Hill/Hedgerow/Parsonage walking tour is just one trail on Monmouth Battlefield. Be sure to check out the others, to include the nearby “Washington Meets Lee” trail (a short walk to an interpretive sign) and the Perrine Hill trail. Below are a few photos from the Perrine Hill trail, to include the historic Suftin House (which can be seen off in the distance).
Lastly, you won’t want to miss a visit to the Old Tennent Church! This circa 1751 meeting house stood during the Battle of Monmouth, was used as a key landmark for the maneuvering armies, and served as a field hospital for the American wounded after the battle. Additionally, the cemetery is the final resting place for numerous patriots who fought in the Battle of Monmouth. Near the front of the church is a row of stone headstones and monuments, mostly dedicated to patriots; however, there is one monument dedicated to British Lieutenant Colonel Henry Monckton. Lt. Col. Monckton was wounded and captured during the battle and subsequently, taken to Tennent Meeting House (as it was then known). He died of his wounds there and was buried in the cemetery- this marker commemorates his service.
Book recommendation: Fatal Sunday, by: Gary Wheeler Stone & Mark Lender