MONMOUTH, BATTLE OF. battle fought June 25. 1778, during the :\ meriean Revolution. near Monmouth Court Douse, in the town of Freehold. Monmouth County, N. .J., between an American army under General Washington and an English army under Sir Henry Clinton. The latter. evacuating Philadelphia on June 1Sth, re treated across New Jersey, and on the 26th reached Freehold, whence on the 27th lie started for Sandy Honk. Washington, following closely. resolved to attack Clinton's left wing, 8000 strong, marching in the rear, and detailed Oen. Charles Lee 61)00 troops to assail its flank until he could come up with the main division. Lee advanced accordingly, hut instead of attack ing, intentionally wasted time in feinting and executing futile and after a little skirmishing. ordered a general retreat. Washing ton rapidly pushed forward, rebuked Lee with great severity. and rallying the demoralized troops, checked the advance of the British, who made determined hut unsuccessful attacks on the Ameriean left under Stirling and the Ameri can right under Wayne and Greene. The English
then fell hack and took up a strong position. lint, during the night, withdrew to the heights of Mid dletown. Though usually Maimed as a vietory for the Americans. the battle was strategieally drawn. neither side gaining any decisive advan tage. 'Hie Anwrieans lost 362 in killed, wounded. and missing, the British 116. many on each side being prostrated by the intense heat (96* in the shade). Lee was shortly afterwards tried by court-martial for his comInct, was found guilty of disobeying orders and of making a shameful re treat, and was suspended from command for a year. Consult: Dawson, natiks of the ('sited states (New York, 18501: and Carrington. Ma ths of the American Rerolution (New York, 1876).