It was Sunday, June 28, 1778 and the temperature would reach 90 degrees. General George Washington would have a horse die under him from heat exhaustion. On this day, the longest single day battle of the Revolutionary War would be fought.

 

On June 24, Washington had called a council of war to establish a strategy of battle against British General Sir Henry Clinton. Washington wanted to fight a battle but most of his generals were against it. The number two man in the American army, Major General Charles Lee, stated, “if the British are leaving we should build them a bridge of gold.” The council agreed to send additional men to harass the enemy’s flanks as they journeyed across the Jerseys.

 

On the morning of June 28, Americans commanded by Lee opened the battle with the British. In the confusion of battle, Lee’s troops retreated. When Washington appeared on the battlefield he ordered Lee to the rear but almost immediately changed his mind and allowed Lee to fight a delaying action while Washington took command of the rest of the army and organized it in a defensive position. The two armies clashed from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM in the oppressive heat until they were exhausted. Clinton and his men slipped away undetected shortly after midnight. Washington chose not to pursue due to the fatigue of his men. 

 

Neither side emerged as a clear winner of the battle, but the American forces had proven themselves to be a professional fighting force. One of the primary reasons for the American forces’ newfound professionalism was the training they received from Baron Von Steuben at Valley Forge during the winter encampment of 1777-1778. Monmouth was the first battle since that training. It was also the last major battle fought in the north and would solidify Washington’s position, both as commander of the army and politically.

 

Many prominent Americans were present at Monmouth: Washington, Lee, Steuben, James Monroe, Nathaniel Greene, Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton, Daniel Morgan, Marquis de Lafayette, Aaron Burr, Mad Anthony Wayne and Molly Hayes, known today as Molly Pitcher. At Freehold on that unbearably hot day she is believed to have brought water to the soldiers and possibly served as part of a cannon crew. Legend says that she was presented to General Washington after the battle.

 

Over a day and a half of touring, we will visit all of the key sites associated with this epic battle and will follow portions of the original routes traveled by Clinton’s British army and Washington’s Continental army as they made their ways to the Monmouth Battlefield. We will visit the little known area where Colonel Daniel Morgan and his riflemen were located. We will visit the Covenhoven House that Clinton used as his headquarters on the day of and the night before the battle. We will then survey the battle areas where the morning’s engagement was waged. We will visit the Craig House, which was used as a hospital during the battle. We will fall back with the American army through Monmouth Courthouse (present day Freehold) and stop to reflect at the Monmouth Battlefield Monument. We will then proceed to the battlefield visitor center located on Combs Hill where General Nathaniel Greene and General Henry Knox set up an artillery position.  We will visit the sites of the heavy fighting, from Lord Sterling’s position on Perrine Ridge to the hand-to-hand Hedgerow fighting. Along the way we will visit Englishtown where Lee began and ended his day. We will visit the Old Tennent Church, which served as a hospital, and where many of the battle dead are buried.

 

Join us for this intriguing tour of a major engagement of the American Revolution. Attendance is limited so please enroll today. We hope you’ll join us at Monmouth!

About Our Tour Leader

Rich Bellamy is a veteran tour leader of American Revolutionary War tours and is also a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg.

 

Program Schedule:

 

Saturday, October 4

8:30 AM on                    Assemble at base hotel in Freehold, New Jersey soon TBA

9:00 AM                        Depart for tour 

4:30 PM                         Arrive Back at base hotel in Freehold, New Jersey 

Sunday, October 5

8:15 AM                        Depart for tour

12:00 N                          Arrive Back at base hotel in Freehold, New Jersey

 

 

Registration Fees (Lodging not Included):   $ 225         Under Age 23:  $ 95

 

You can reserve a space on this tour by making a $50 Deposit per Person.

If You Must Cancel we will refund 100% of your fees paid.

What is Included in your Registration Fee:

·        the services of an expert historian chosen for his knowledge and experience

·        transportation to sites as indicated

·        Saturday lunch

·        refreshments and snacks during the tour

·        map package

 

Lodging: Our program will be based at a hotel in Freehold, New Jersey. Information including room rates, driving directions and instructions on how to reserve a room under our block will be sent to all registrants and posted on this website by May 15.