CHAP. VIII. These orders were executed with firmness.

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1778. A sharp conflict ensued, and when forced from He attacks the ground on which he had been placed, Lee Monmouth brought off his troops in good order, and was then directed to form in the rear of English

the enemy at

court-house.

town.

The check thus given the enemy afforded time to draw up the left wing and second line of the American army on an eminence, and in a wood, in the rear, covered by a morass in front. Lord Sterling, who commanded the left wing, brought up some field pieces which played with considerable effect on the enemy, who had passed the morass, and were pressing on to the charge. These pieces, with the aid of several parties of infantry detached for the purpose, effectually put a stop to their advance.

The right wing of the army was for the day commanded by general Greene. For the expedition of the march, and to prevent the enemy from turning the right flank, he had been ordered to file off by the new church, two miles from Englishtown, and to fall into the Monmouth road, a small distance in the rear of the court-house, while the residue of the army proceeded directly to that place. He had advanced on this road considerably to the right, and rather beyond the ground on which the armies were now engaged, when he was informed of the retreat of the party commanded by Lee, and of the new disposition of the troops

occasioned by that circumstance. He imme- CHAP. VIII. diately changed his route, and marching up 1778. with the wing he commanded, took a very advantageous position on the right.

severe, but

Finding themselves warmly opposed in front, The action the enemy attempted to turn the left flank of not decisive. the American army, but were repulsed, and driven back by parties of infantry detached to oppose them. They then attempted the right with as little success. General Greene had advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of ground in his front, which not only disappointed their design of turning the right, but severely enfiladed the party which yet remained in front of the left wing. At this moment, general Wayne was advanced with a body of infantry to engage them in front, who kept up so hot and well directed a fire of musketry, that they soon gave way, and withdrew behind the ravine, to the ground on which the first halt had been made, where the action had commenced immediately after the arrival of general Washington.

Here the British line was formed on very strong ground. Both flanks were secured by thick woods, and morasses, while their front could only be reached through a narrow pass. The day had been intensely hot, and the troops were very much fatigued. Notwithstanding this circumstance, and the difficulty with which the enemy could be approached, general Wash

CHAP. VIII. ington resolved to renew the renew the engagement. 1778. For this purpose, he ordered brigadier general

Poor, with his own and the Carolina brigade, to gain their right flank, while Woodford with his brigade, should turn their left. At the same time the artillery were ordered to advance and play on them in front. These orders were obeyed with alacrity, but the impediments on the flanks of the enemy were so considerable, that before they could be overcome, and the troops could approach them near enough to commence the attack, it was nearly dark. Under these circumstances, it was thought most advisable to defer further operations until next morning. For the purpose of commencing them with the return of light, the brigades which had been detached to the flanks of the enemy, continued on their ground through the night, and the other troops lay on their arms in the field of battle, in order to be in perfect readiness to support them. General Washington, who had through the day been extremely active, and entirely regardless of personal danger, passed the night in his cloak in the midst of his soldiers.

In the mean-time, the British were employed in removing their wounded. About midnight, they marched away in such silence, that their retreat was effected without the knowledge of general Poor, though he lay very near them.

As it was perfectly certain that the high grounds about Middletown would be gained by

the enemy before it would be practicable to CHAP. VIII. overtake them, in which position they could 1778. not be attacked with any advantage; as the face of the country afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation; and as the battle already fought had terminated in such a manner as to make a general impression favourable to the reputation of the American arms; it was thought advisable to relinquish the pursuit. Leaving the Jersey brigade, Morgan's corps, and some other light troop* to hover about them, to countenance desertion, and protect the country from their depredations, it was resolved to move the main body of the army to the Hudson, and take a position which should effectually cover the important passes in the highlands.

The commander in chief was very highly gratified with the conduct of his troops in this action. Their behaviour, he said, after they recovered from the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the advanced corps, could not be surpassed. General Wayne was particularly mentioned. His conduct and bravery, it was declared, merited peculiar commendation. The artillery too were spoken of in terms of high praise. Both the officers and men of that corps who were engaged were said to have distinguished themselves in a remarkable manner.

* The militia had returned to their homes immediately after the action.

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CHAP. VIII. The loss of the Americans in the battle of 1778. Monmouth was eight officers and sixty-one

privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty wounded. Among the slain were lieutenant colonel Bonner of Pennsylvania, and major Dickenson of Virginia, both of whom were much regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing, but of these, a considerable number afterwards rejoined their regiments.

In his official letter, sir Henry Clinton states his dead and missing at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four privates; his wounded, at sixteen officers, and one hundred and fiftyfour privates. This account, so far as respects the dead, cannot be correct, as four officers, and two hundred and forty-five privates were buried on the field by persons appointed for that purpose, who made their report to the commander in chief; and some few were afterwards found and buried, so as to increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat of the day was fatal to several on both sides.

As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed the victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly with the British; in the latter part, it may be pronounced, with equal certainty, to have been with the Americans. They maintained their ground, repulsed the enemy by whom they were attacked, were prevented only by the night