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Monmouth
(1778) The Battle of Monmouth Court House was an extenuation of the British campaign to gain total control over the Philadelphia/New York/New Jersey area. Washington and his Army have seen scurrying the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware countryside in pursuit of Sir Henry Clinton's force. Washington wants to attack Clinton, but a large number of his officers disagree with his decision, most notably General Charles Lee. Washington, now in Hopewell N.J., has decided that General Maxwell and the New Jersey militia under General Dickinson, will continue to covert attacks on the British flanks. One day later, General Clinton, fearing an attack at New Brunswick, divides his army, placing half under Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen, and the other half under Gen. Cornwallis. They head for Monmouth Court House, where they will step off to Sandy Hook. Washington, who is still determined to attack, hears of the news and is displeased. He then places Lafayette, who has sided with Washington in his attempt to attack, in charge of the advanced guard of Dickinson and Maxwell's men , and plans to assault the British rear. Lee for his part, places himself as the second in command. By the 27th of June, all of Washington's forces are in place. He calls a Council of War, and places Charles Lee in command. Washington asks Lee to send a recon force out , but Lee delays and hesitates. On the morning of the 28th, General Dickinson's men observe the movement of von Knyphausen's men at 4:00 A.M. Lee acts lethargically, except for the few brief skirmishes with the British rear guard. By 11:00 the Continental 5000 man force is meeting with the 2000 man British force, but Lee has issued no orders, and mass confusion with no coordinated attacks take place. Clinton decides that the skirmishing is a minor event, and withdraws
to prepare his battle lines. This action confuses the troops of General
Maxwell, and he too retreats in order not to be exposed. This retreat soon
envelopes the entire Army of General Lee, who are so back to Englishtown.
Washington advancing with his main army, see the troops of General Lee
in retreat and is furious, over what he thought should be an easy rear
action.
Washington immediately takes command, and stops the retreat, reforming his men and placing Lord Stirling and General Greene on a high defensive ridge position, between his position and Clinton's. He then places Henry Knox's artillery in support of this defensive position. the battle last all afternoon with the weather in excess of 100 degrees. Clinton launches intermittent attacks which drive the Americans back. Massive artillery battles ensue. Finally by 6:00P.M. the British withdraw. The Americans sleep in their positions, as Washington wants to follow up this attack in the morning. Clinton however, withdraws in the middle of the night, foiling Washington's' plan. The battle is a draw, but it is the weather which takes the greatest
toll. Many men from both sides have suffered heatstroke, and heat exhaustion,
making both army recuperate.
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