The battle took place in Monmouth County, New Jersey on June 28, 1778
where General George Washington attacked the British Army’s rear column under
the commanded of Lieutenant General Sir
Henry Clinton as they depart from Monmouth Court House. Due to mishandling
of the Continental Army by Major General
Charles Lee, it enabled British rearguard commander Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis to take the advantage. However, General Washington arrived on the
battlefield and united the Americans along a hilltop hedgerow. Seeing a chance to
defeat the Americans, Cornwallis pressed his attack and seized the hedgerow in
stifling heat. Washington merged his troops in a new line on heights at the
rear of the marshy ground and used his artillery to hit the British in their
positions, ordered a four-gun battery commanded
by Major General Nathanael Greene to shoot the British line, forcing Cornwallis
to leave the field. Washington tried to hit the British rear guard but it was
getting dark and the battle ended. Later General Clinton departed at midnight
to continue their march to New York City. The battle revealed the growing
improvement and efficiency of the Continental Army in discipline and
morale. It also enhanced the military
reputations of Washington, Lafayette and Anthony Wayne. General
Charles Lee was court-martialed due to his poor performance on the field.
