Freehold in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Retreat?
The Battle of Monmouth 28 June 1778
— 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM —
On this hill, an angry George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Armies, met his second-in-command, Major-General Charles Lee, and demanded “What is all this? What all that confusion was for, and retreat?”
Washington had sent Lee with twelve cannon and 5,000 men to stage a hit-and-run attack on the rear of the British Army. However, the British had counter-attacked with 10,000 men – forcing Lee to retreat.
As Washington led the main body of the Army towards the Spotswood Middle Brook bridge, he encountered a disorganized retreat. The frustrated officers leading the withdrawing battalions had no idea why they were retreating. There had been little fighting, merely a skirmish and some artillery fire. One complained, “By God! They are flying from a shadow.” The failed attack on the British rear was turning into a political disaster.
With the British only fifteen minutes away, Washington acted decisively. He sent Brigadier General Anthony Wayne to fight a delaying action and asked Lee to further slow the enemy advance. Then Washington rode back across the bridge to organize the main army on the Perrine Farm.
Erected by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Division of Parks and Forestry .
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 16.125′ N, 74° 18.321′ W. Marker is in Freehold, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Marker can be reached from Wemrock Road south of Freehold-Englishtown Road (County Route 522), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Freehold NJ 07728, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Checked Lee’s Retreat (here, next to this marker); The British Rush the Hedgerow (approx. 0.3 miles away); The British Grenadiers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hold the Hedgerow! (approx. 0.4 miles away); Molly Pitcher (approx. 0.6 miles away); Highlanders Decline Combat (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Molly Pitcher (approx. 0.8 miles away); Monmouth Battlefield State Park (approx. 0.8 miles away).
More about this marker. The lower left of the marker contains a map showing troop movements. The upper right features a picture by H. A. Ogden of General George Washington confronting a retreating General Charles Lee.
Also see . . .
1. Monmouth Battlefield State Park. New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry website. (Submitted on November 3, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Monmouth. From the American Revolution website. (Submitted on November 3, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. The Battle of Monmouth 1778. An account of the battle from a British perspective from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on November 3, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 960 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on April 23, 2011, by Clifton Patrick of Chester, NY, United States.