Battle of Monmouth

Battle of Monmouth, battle of the American Revolution, fought on June 28, 1778, near Monmouth Courthouse in the town of Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. The British army under General Sir Henry Clinton evacuated Philadelphia on June 18 and, bound for New York, retreated across New Jersey. On June 26 the British reached Freehold, New Jersey, followed closely by General George Washington and the American army. Washington ordered the American general Charles Lee to attack the rear of the British forces. Lee attacked but after a little skirmishing, ordered a general retreat. When Washington arrived, he rallied the demoralized troops and checked the advance of the British troops. Clinton’s army fell back and during the night withdrew to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and boarded transports for New York. Tactically the battle was a draw, although the number of British killed exceeded that of the Americans. Moreover, the defeat of the British was a political success for the Continental Army because it boosted the morale of the troops and increased public support of the war. Because of his conduct during and after this battle, General Lee demanded a court-martial to try to clear him of any implication of wrongdoing. However, he was court-martialed and suspended from command for one year. When he refused to accept his one-year suspension, he was removed from the army.