Monmouth Battlefield State Park- NJ

I’m excited to join up again this month with fellow blogger Fiona Ryan's  A-Z Guidebook Travel Linkup over at Tiffin Bite Sized Food Adventures. This travel tale link-up goes from June 15th - June 22th, this time travels with the letter "M".

"M" is for Monmouth Battlefield State Park, New Jersey

Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a historical site in Central NJ, named for the American Revolutionary War battle fought there on June 28, 1778. Every year, on the last weekend in June re-enactors come from around the US and Canada to help bring this historical battle to life. Their historical knowledge and attention to the details of 18th century life, transports you to a different time and gives you a more thorough understanding of history.

On this hot sweltering day(100F+/ 37C+), the Continental Army under General George Washington met a British column under Sir Henry Clinton and Lt. General Cornwallis. Washington hoped to surprise attack the rear of the British army and overwhelm them, but General Charles Lee retreated too quickly when the British attempted to out flank them. This retreat led to massive disorder on the battlefield, but Washington rode out and managed to personally rally the troops, then brought up a four-gun battery under Major General Nathanael Greene to hit the British line, causing Cornwallis to withdraw. Darkness forced the end of the engagement, but both armies held the field, with the British commanding general Clinton withdrawing undetected at midnight to resume his march to New York City. 

This was a turning point in the American Revolution. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the Continental Army after its encampment at Valley Forge, where training under Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben and Major General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette greatly improved army discipline, and morale. This battle is also known for starting the legend of Molly Pitcher. An American soldier's wife, Mary Hays, brought water to thirsty soldiers and eventually took her husband place at the cannon when he was wounded. After the battle, General Washington asked about the woman whom he had seen loading a cannon on the battlefield. In commemoration of her courage, he issued Mary Hays a warrant as a non commissioned officer. Afterwards, she was known as "Sergeant Molly," and she was given an annual pension of $40 for her service till her death.

For more Letter "M" travel stories, visit A-Z Guidebook Linkup. Stay tuned next month for more travel, centering around the Letter "N"!