CHAP. VIII. ington resolved to renew the engagement. 1778. For this purpose, he ordered brigadier general

Poor, with his own and the Carolina brigade, to gain their right flank, while Woodford with his brigade, should turn their left. At the same time the artillery were ordered to advance and play on them in front. These orders were obeyed with alacrity, but the impediments on the flanks of the enemy were so considerable, that before they could be overcome, and the troops could approach them near enough to commence the attack, it was nearly dark. Under these circumstances, it was thought most advisable to defer further operations until next morning. For the purpose of commencing them with the return of light, the brigades which had been detached to the flanks of the enemy, continued on their ground through the night, and the other troops lay on their arms in the field of battle, in order to be in perfect readiness to support them. General Washington, who had through the day been extremely active, and entirely regardless of personal danger, passed the night in his cloak in the midst of his soldiers.

In the mean-time, the British were employed in removing their wounded. About midnight, they marched away in such silence, that their retreat was effected without the knowledge of general Poor, though he lay very near them. As it was perfectly certain that the high grounds about Middletown would be gained by

the enemy before it would be practicable to CHAP. VIII. overtake them, in which position they could 1778. not be attacked with any advantage; as the face of the country afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation; and as the battle already fought had terminated in such a manner as to make a general impression favourable to the reputation of the American arms; it was thought advisable to relinquish the pursuit. Leaving the Jersey brigade, Morgan's corps, and some other light troop* to hover about them, to countenance desertion, and protect the country from their depredations, it was resolved to move the main body of the army to the Hudson, and take a position which should effectually cover the important passes in the highlands.

The commander in chief was very highly gratified with the conduct of his troops in this action. Their behaviour, he said, after they recovered from the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the advanced corps, could not be surpassed. General Wayne was particularly mentioned. His conduct and bravery, it was declared, merited peculiar commendation. The artillery too were spoken of in terms of high praise. Both the officers and men of that corps who were engaged were said to have distinguished themselves in a remarkable manner.

CHAP. VIII. The loss of the Americans in the battle of 1778. Monmouth was eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty wounded. Among the slain were lieutenant colonel Bonner of Pennsylvania, and major Dickenson of Virginia, both of whom were much regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing, but of these, a considerable number afterwards rejoined their regiments.

In his official letter, sir Henry Clinton states his dead and missing at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four privates; his wounded, at sixteen officers, and one hundred and fiftyfour privates. This account, so far as respects the dead, cannot be correct, as four officers, and two hundred and forty-five privates were buried on the field by persons appointed for that purpose, who made their report to the commander in chief; and some few were afterwards found and buried, so as to increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat of the day was fatal to several on both sides.

:

As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed the victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly with the British; in the latter part, it may be pronounced, with equal certainty, to have been with the Americans. They maintained their ground, repulsed the enemy by whom they were attacked, were prevented only by the night and the retreat of sir Henry Clinton from CHAP. VIII. renewing the action, and suffered in killed and 1778. wounded less than their adversaries.

It is true, that sir Henry Clinton effected what he states to have been his principal object, which was to save his baggage. But when it is recollected, that the general officers of the American army had, in full council, decided against hazarding an action, that this advice must, of necessity, have trammeled the conduct, and circumscribed the views of the commander in chief, he will be admitted to have effected no inconsiderable object, in giving the American arms the appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this engagement.

Independent of the loss sustained in this action, the British army was considerably weakened in its way from Philadelphia to New York. About one hundred prisoners were made, and near a thousand soldiers, principally foreigners, many of whom had married in Philadelphia, deserted the British standard during the march.

Whilst the armies were traversing the Jerseys, Gates, who commanded on the North river, by a well timed and judicious movement down the Hudson, which was highly approved by general Washington, threatened New York, for the purpose of restraining the garrison of that place from re-enforcing sir Henry Clinton, should such a measure be contemplated.

CHAP. VII.

The conduct of Lee was very generally dis1778. approved. As, however, he had possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the commander in chief, it is probable that explanations might have been made, which would have rescued him from the imputations cast on him, and have restored him to the esteem of the army, could his haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been offered him on the field of battle. General Washington had taken no measures in consequence of the events of that day, and probably would have come to no resolution concerning them, without an amicable explanation, when he received from Lee a letter, expressed in very unbecoming terms, in which he manifestly assumed the station of a superior, and required reparation for the injury sustained from the very singular expressions said to have been used on the day of the action by the commander in chief.

June 30.

This letter was answered after due deliberation by an assurance, that so soon as circumstances would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity of justifying himself to the army, to America, and to the world in general, or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience of orders, and misbehaviour before the enemy. On the same day, on Lee's expressing a wish for a speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court