and the retreat of sir Henry Clinton from CHAP. VIII. renewing the action, and suffered in killed and 1778. wounded less than their adversaries.

It is true, that sir Henry Clinton effected what he states to have been his principal object, which was to save his baggage. But when it is recollected, that the general officers of the American army had, in full council, decided against hazarding an action, that this advice must, of necessity, have trammeled the conduct, and circumscribed the views of the commander in chief, he will be admitted to have effected no inconsiderable object, in giving the American arms the appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this engagement.

Independent of the loss sustained in this action, the British army was considerably weakened in its way from Philadelphia to New York. About one hundred prisoners were made, and near a thousand soldiers, principally foreigners, many of whom had married in Philadelphia, deserted the British standard during the march.

Whilst the armies were traversing the Jerseys, Gates, who commanded on the North river, by a well timed and judicious movement down the Hudson, which was highly approved by general Washington, threatened New York, for the purpose of restraining the garrison of that place from re-enforcing sir Henry Clinton, should such a measure be contemplated.

CHAP. VIII. The conduct of Lee was very generally dis1778. approved. As, however, he had possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the commander in chief, it is probable that explanations might have been made, which would have rescued him from the imputations cast on him, and have restored him to the esteem of the army, could his haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been offered him on the field of battle. General Washington had taken no measures in consequence of the events of that day, and probably would have come to no resolution concerning them, without an amicable explanation, when he received from Lee a letter, expressed in very unbecoming terms, in which he manifestly assumed the station of a superior, and required reparation for the injury sustained from the very singular expressions said to have been used on the day of the action by the commander in chief.

June 30.

This letter was answered after due delibera-. tion by an assurance, that so soon as circumstances would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity of justifying himself to the army, to America, and to the world in general, or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience of orders, and mis. behaviour before the enemy. On the same day, on Lee's expressing a wish for a speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court

martial, rather than a court of inquiry, he was CHAP. VIII. arrested.

1778.

arrested for

First. For disobedience of orders in not General Lee attacking the enemy on the 28th of June agree- his behaviour ably to repeated instructions.

in this action, and afterwards to the

in chief.

Secondly. For misbehaviour before the commander enemy on the same day, in making an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat.

Thirdly. For disrespect to the commander in chief in two letters.

Previous to the arrest, and to the answer given to the first letter received from general Lee, accusations against his conduct had been made by several officers of his detachment, and particularly by generals Wayne and Scott, in which the transactions of the day, not being well understood, were represented in colours much more unfavourable to Lee, than those which on a full investigation they afterwards wore. These representations, most probably, produced the strength of the expressions contained in the second article of the charge. A court-marcourt-martial was soon called, over which lord to try him. Sterling presided, and, after a very tedious be suspended investigation, Lee was found guilty of all the charges exhibited against him, and sentenced to be suspended for one year. This sentence I was afterwards, though with some hesitation, approved almost unanimously by congress. The court softened in some degree the severity of the second charge, by finding him guilty, 3 Q

VOL. III.

tial appointed

Sentenced to

for one year.

CHAP. VIII. not in its very words, but of misbehaviour be1778. fore the enemy by making an unnecessary,

and, in some few instances, a disorderly retreat.

Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. He proved that, after the retreat had commenced in consequence of general Scott's repassing the ravine on the approach of the enemy, he had designed to form on the first advantageous ground he should find, and that in his own opinion, and in the opinion of some other officers, no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met general Washington; at which time it was his intention, to fight the enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer. He suggested a variety of reasons justifying his retreat, which, if they do not absolutely establish its propriety, yet give it so questionable a form, as to render it probable that a public examination never would have taken place, could his proud spirit have stooped to offer explanation instead of outrage to the commander in chief.

His suspension gave very general satisfaction through the army. Without being masters of his conduct as a military man in making the retreat, they perfectly understood the insult offered their general by his letters, and, whether rightly or not, believed his object to have been* to disgrace Washington, and obtain for himself the supreme command. So devotedly were all ranks attached to their general, that the mere suspicion of such a design, would

have rendered his further continuance in the CHAP. VIII.

army extremely difficult.

Whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of retreating before the enemy, it seems difficult to justify either the omission to keep the commander in chief continually informed of his situation and intentions, or the very rude letters written, after the action was

over.

1778.

of congress

for their con

battle at

Congress was highly gratified with the suc- The thanks cess which attended their arms at Monmouth, presented to general In a resolution which passed unanimously, and his army Washington their thanks were given to general Washington, duct in the for the activity with which he marched from Monmouth. the camp at Valley forge, in pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the line of battle; and for his great good conduct in the action: and he was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and men under his command, who distinguished themselves by their conduct and valour in the battle.

The attention of general Washington was now turned principally to the North river, towards which the march of his army was directed, with the intention of continuing some time about Haverstraw.

After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, sir Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy hook, where he passed his army over to New York.

July 5.