On the morning of the 28th of June, Sir Henry broke up from a strong encampment on the high grounds about Monmouth Court House, and con tinued his retreat. The baggage was in front, under the charge of General Knyphausen, while the strength of the army formed the rear division, under the special command of Lord Cornwallis. As the British were then within twelve miles of the heights of Middletown, which would place them in perfect security, Washington sent orders to Lee to attack their rear the moment it was in motion.
The first plan formed by General Lee for the execution of these orders, was to check the retreat of the British rear by a vigorous attack from Wayne's corps, while lie gained their front by a shorter road, and intercepted their communi cation with the line. Before this scheme could be carried into operation, suspicion arose that some mistake existed as to the actual force of the division about to be assailed. Lee advanced to reconnoitre, and at the same time Sir Henry Clin ton counter-marched with his whole force to the rear, in order by a menacing movement to deter the Americans from any attempt upon his bag gage. These manoeuvres brought the two armies into collision on a ground disadvantageous to the continentals. After great hesitation in his move ments, Lee finally ordered a general retreat of his detachment, for the purpose of regaining the heights. Some slight skirmishing took place, without any other effect than to give notice that a conflict had commenced.
The rear of the Americans now moved rapidly forward to support the front. General Washington rode out full of hope and confidence, when to his utter astonishment he perceived the latter division in full retreat, without fighting or even understand ing the reasons of this unexpected movement. Some warm expressions to General Lee exhibited the strong displeasure of the American commander, and instant measures were adopted for arresting the advance of the English, and for re-forming the troops involved in the disorder. The left wing and second line were drawn up on an eminence covered in front by a morass; Lord Stirling, who commanded the former, with the aid of Carring ton's artillery, repulsed the attack of a British column, and effectually checked their forward movement.
The next effort of the enemy was to turn the left flank of the Americans, but in this they were roughly repulsed. Another attempt on the left was defeated with loss, by the judicious advance of the artillery and infantry under Greene. At this moment of confusion, the coming up of Wayne compelled the British to retire to the same ground occupied before the arrival of Washington, where their flanks were covered by morasses and thick woods, and their front was accessible only by a passage. Undeterred by these difficulties, which were increased by the heat of the day and fatigue of the troops, Washington resolved imme diately to renew the battle. The artillery was ad
vanced and opened its fire on the British flank. General Poor, with his own brigade and that of North Carolina, was ordered to turn the right flank of the enemy, while IVoodford's brigade was directed on their left. Unfortunately the impedi ments of the ground were of such a nature as to protract the completion of these dispositions until the approach of night, for which reason the action was discontinued with the intention of recom mencing the struggle on the ensuing morning. The flanking brigades remained in their respective position; and Washington passed the night in his cloak, in the midst of his soldiers, who bivouacked on the field of battle.
The British commander was, however, by no means disposed to try again the fate of arms. About midnight, after removing the wounded, he continued his retreat with so much caution and silence as to give no notice or alarm. At day break he was already so near the heights of Mid dletown, as to render pursuit useless. The Ame rican commander moved towards the North river, after detaching a small force to hover around the British rear, while the enemy embarked at Sandy Hook and proceeded to New York.
Thus terminated the battle of Monmouth, which was claimed as a victory by both parties, because neither had gained any decisive advantage. Clin ton effected his retreat and saved his baggage; but the Americans, after the check of Lee's van, re pulsed the enemy, became in turn the assailants, and were only prevented from continuing the en gagement by the midnight retreat of the British. " Never," said Lafayette, " was General Wash ington greater in war than in this action. His presence stopped the retreat—his dispositions fixed the victory. His fine appearance on horseback— his calm courage, roused by the vexation of the morning, gave him the interest calculated to ex cite enthusiasm." The American loss was eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty wounded. The English army is known to have suffered more than double the amount. In the course of their retreat,.they lost about one hundred men in prisoners, and nearly one thousand deserters. The fiery insub ordination of General Lee afterwards overcame the reluctance of the commander-in-chief, and com pelled the ordering of a court of inquiry, which condemned that officer to one year's suspension. This sentence was almost unanimously approved by Congress, while it gave great and general satis faction to the American army. A resolution of Congress was unanimously passed, thanking Wash ington for his activity, his distinguished exertions, and his great good conduct in the pursuit of the enemy, and the battle of Monmouth; he was re quested also to signify the gratitude of Congress to the officers and men who had deserved it by their valour and behaviour.