The Battle of Monmouth was the last major engagement of the Philadelphia campaign and demonstrated the Continental Army's improved discipline after Valley Forge.
Key Facts
- Date
- June 28, 1778
- Theater
- Philadelphia campaign, American Revolutionary War
- British baggage train size
- 1,500 wagons wagons
- Artillery duel duration
- approximately 2 hours
- Outcome
- Tactically inconclusive; British reached New York
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the February 1778 French-American Treaty of Alliance, Britain abandoned hopes of military victory and ordered General Clinton to evacuate Philadelphia and consolidate forces in New York. Washington, politically unable to let the British withdraw unscathed, detached roughly a third of his army under Major General Charles Lee to strike the British rear guard as they marched across New Jersey.
On June 28, 1778, Lee launched a poorly coordinated attack on the British covering party near Monmouth Court House. A British counter-attack by Cornwallis's First Division forced Lee into retreat. Washington arrived with the main body, established a strong defensive position, and repulsed British assaults. A two-hour artillery duel followed before Clinton disengaged and resumed his march to Sandy Hook under cover of night.
The battle was tactically inconclusive; neither side achieved its objective. Clinton's army successfully reached Sandy Hook and was ferried to New York in early July. Lee was court-martialed for his retreat. Washington's army had demonstrated markedly improved discipline and battlefield capability, reflecting the training instilled at Valley Forge under Baron von Steuben.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
General George Washington, Major General Charles Lee.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis.