MONMOUTH, BATTLE OF (1778)

This article appears in Volume V18, Page 728 of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: MOL-MOS

MONMOUTH, BATTLE OF (1778) , a battle in the American War of Independence. The prospect of an alliance between France and America in 1778 induced the British to concentrate their forces. Sir Henry Clintoh, who had succeeded Sir W. Howe in command, determined to abandon Philadelphia, captured in the previous year, and move his troops direct to New

York

through New

Jersey

JERSEY
JERSEY, EARLS OF

. Washington, who had spent the winter at Valley Forge,

Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA, UNIVERSITY OF

, and had materially recruited his army, immediately marched to intercept the British, and overtook them near Monmouth Court

House

(now Freehold), New

Jersey

JERSEY
JERSEY, EARLS OF

, on the 28th of June 1778. A strong detachment of Americans under General Charles Lee was sent forward to harass the enemy's rear and if possible cut off a portion of their long baggage

train

TRAIN (M. Eng. trayn or trayne, derived through Fr. from Late Lat. trahinare, to drag, draw, Lat. trahere, cf. trail, trace, ultimately from the same source)

. Clinton strengthened his rearguard, which turned upon the Americans and compelled them to

retreat

RETREAT (O. Fr. retrete, mod. retraite, from Lat. retrahere, to draw back)

. When Washington, who was well up with his main

body

BODY

, heard of Lee's

retreat

RETREAT (O. Fr. retrete, mod. retraite, from Lat. retrahere, to draw back)

, he spurred forward and exerted himself in forming a strong line of battle in case the British continued their determined attack. Warm words passed between Washington
and Lee, which subsequently led to the latter's court-martial and suspension for a year. The readjusted American line was composed of the divisions of Lafayette,

Greene

, Alexander and Patterson, while Wayne's brigade, which had been in Lee's advance from the first, was posted in a favourable position. The British attacked this line and a warm, though brief, engagement ensued. Both sides encamped at night on the ground occupied. The British, having accomplished their object in delaying Washington's pursuit, continued their march the next day towards New

York

YORK
YORK (HOUSE OF)
YORK, EDMUND OF
LANGLEY
- LANGLEY, SAMUEL PIERPONT (1834-1906)
, DUKE OF (1341-1402)
YORK, EDWARD
YORK, FREDERICK
AUGUSTUS
- AUGUSTUS (a name 1 derived from Lat. augeo, increase, i.e. venerable, majestic, Gr. Ee0avr6s)
, DUKE OF (1763-1827)
YORK, RICHARD, DUKE

. Washington turned to the left, crossed the Hudson above, and encamped for the remainder of the season at White Plains, New York, within striking distance of the city. Each side suffered about the same loss in the battle, that of the British being 400 (6o due to sunstroke), the American somewhat less. In this engagement Lieut.-Colonel Henry Monckton (17401778) of the British Grenadiers was killed in leading a charge.

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