Newsletter 2 1978.pdf - The Grayson Family

CHAPTER LVI.
THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH, 1778.
T
HE Battle of Monmouth was fought during the afternoon of
June twenty-ninth, 1775, at Wenrock Creck in Monmouth
County, New Jersey; General Washington and General Sir Henry
Clinton in person respectively commanding the American and British
armies. The original purpose of the American Commander-in-chief
has been already stated. The division of General Lee advanced too
late in the morning to realize that purpose, and'the mismana, aernent
of the troops after they marched, as certainly imperiled the whole
army.
The criticisms of the battle of Mcnmouth do not appreciate that
relation of the two cdurnns which gave to five thousand American
troops an immense advantage, by striking just where General Washington
expected the bIoy to fall, vrk., upon the flank, or rear of a
marching column, covering at least four miles of heavy road.
- The preIiminat-y &vements already adverted to in the evidence
cited, will be again noticed for a more definite appreciation of the
battle itself.
Thejrst skirmirlr, was that of Dickinson's reconnoitering party,
on the hill iust east of the west ravine, between seven and eight
o'ctock in the morning. Colonel Grayson had advanced with his
select detachment, beyond :he Freehold Mmting House, half a mile.
General Dickinson sent a messenger to Washington and Lee with
nbtice of the British retreat, as early as five o'clock in the morning.
When Colonel Grayson approached the first ravine, he " saw Firing,
. -
and a party of militia retreating from the enemy."
l~eneral Dickinson was then engaged with a small flanking party
which had been detached from the British left wing, and which he
erroneously supposed to be the advance guard of their returning army.
He sent for aid. Colonel Grayson crossed the bridge with one reg;-
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