Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an inconclusive battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on June 28, 1778. The main American Continental Army under George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army's column led by Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House (modern Freehold, New Jersey).
American General Charles Lee led the advance and initiated the first attack on the column's rear. When the British turned to flank him, he ordered a general retreat, which soon became disorganized. Washington argued with Lee, then personally rallied the troops and repelled two counterattacks. On a very hot day, the battle was a standoff. Both sides lost as many men to sunstroke as to the enemy. British losses were 103 dead and 161 wounded, while the Americans lost 147 dead and 170 wounded. Both sides retired at nightfall.
The battle was the last major engagement of the northern theatre, and the largest one-day battle of the war when measured in terms of participants. Lee was later court-martialed for his actions.
Molly Pitcher became famous for helping to work a cannon during the battle. She was a housewife who came to battle with her husband, William Hays. It was a common practice at that time. Molly's last name was not "Pitcher" but she earned this battlefield nickname because she brought water to many men at work. Finally her husband fell at battle, while doing the hottest job at the cannon. Molly took over and never stopped working it even when her skirt got torn from an enemy cannon ball. She was a brave woman and we should remember her in our hearts.
Referenced By
33rd Regiment of Foot | Aaron Burr | American Revolutionary War | American Revolutionary War/Article from the 1911 Encyclopedia | American Revolutionary War/Article from the 1911 Encyclopedia Part 1 | American Revolutionary War/Article from the 1911 Encyclopedia Part 2 | American Revolutionary War (1911 Encyclopedia, part 1) | American Revolutionary War (1911 Encyclopedia, part 2) | American War for Independence | American War of Indepedence | American War of Independence | American Wars of Independence | Baron von Steuben | Charles Lee (general) | Daniel Morgan | Enoch Poor | Friedrich von Steuben | Henry Dearborn | Henry Knox | John Laurens | John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg | John Peter Muhlenberg | Joseph Montgomery | List of battles 1401-1800 | Nathanael Greene | Nathaniel Greene | Peter Muhlenberg | Revolutionary War | Stamps and postal history of the United States | US postage stamps | United States Revolutionary War | Valley Forge | War of American Independence | William Washington
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