The Battle of Monmouth

Date: 28th June 1778.

Place: New Jersey.

Combatants: The army of British and German troops against American Continental troops and militia.

Generals: Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, Major General Earl Cornwallis and Major General Knyphausen against General George Washington and Major General Charles Lee.

There Were: 10,000 British troops against 11,000 Americans.

Winner: The battle is generally taken as a draw.

The Battle of Princeton commanded by General George Washington

General George Washington and his army spent the winter of 1777/8 at Valley Forge in harsh and deathly circumstances.

Memorably the Prussian officer General Steuben trained the American regiments in a form of European battle drill, devised and adapted to suit American troops.

in the other hand the British army spent the winter in Philadelphia. Lieutenant General Howe returned to England, relieved of his appointment in command in America at his own request, to be replaced by General Clinton. Clinton arrived with orders to evacuate Philadelphia and concentrate the British forces at New York.

On 18th June 1778 the British army with artillery, left Philadelphia and began the laborious march to the North-East.

General Washington marched east from Valley Forge seeking to intercept the slow moving British troop. He did so at Monmouth Courthouse.

General Lee unsuccessful attack

France had initially doubted America's resolve and ability to wage an effective war against Britain, but was now willing to join forces with them and intercept the British. 

General Washington, bringing the main American army along the Monmouth road, encountered, not the rear of the British column, but Lee’s regiments, retreating in considerable disorder with the British advancing behind them. What was the main problem with Lee tactics was that he didn't gave strict orders but left the troops do as they wished which resulted in sort of a chaos. Later with the invaluable assistance of Baron von Steuben, Washington managed to re-form the American ranks and engage the enemy again; the fighting continued throughout the remainder of the day.


Washington's attack after Lees retrieving 



During the night the British broke camp and marched on they quickly embarked upon a short voyage over Lower New York Bay and through The Narrows to Manhattan. Washington prudently decided not to follow and instead marched his army northward to rejoin other the American force that was camping along the Hudson River. Eventually The patriot forces took credit for their enemy's flight from Philadelphia and New Jersey
Something curious was that Up to 100 men are thought to have died of heatstroke during the battle.