June 28th
Learn Our History Today: On June 28, 1778, the Americans and the British clashed near Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey in what was known as the Battle of Monmouth.
In early 1778, the French entered the Revolutionary War on the American side. The British realized that they were overly stretched out and exposed, and they decided to concentrate their forces in New York City. The American army under George Washington had just finished its harsh winter at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where despite the horrible conditions they had received a new dose of training and discipline. They were eager to prove themselves against the British, who had, for the most part, done nothing but defeat them in battle thus far. At dawn on June 28, troops from the Continental Army, under General Charles Lee, engaged the rear of the British Army as it was retreating from Philadelphia to New York. Lee did not handle the attack with a steady hand whatsoever, and did not give his subordinates any instructions, causing his troops to suffer dearly. The British Army quickly turned around from their retreat and smashed into the disorganized Lee. He was devastated.
The Continentals were soon in headlong retreat. Upon hearing the roar of the British Artillery, General George Washington rode to the scene of the retreat where he confronted General Lee. A bitter and angry exchange erupted between the two men and Lee was sternly rebuked by Washington. Following this exchange, General Washington rode forward and rallied the retreating Americans, forming them into defensive positions. Assault after assault by the British was beaten back by the Continentals, with Washington riding up and down his lines, greatly exposing himself to British fire in order to encourage his troops. After a long, hard day of battle there was no conclusive victor. The battle was the longest of the entire Revolutionary war, and also the hottest, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. Heat stroke downed more men than bullets.
The Battle of Monmouth also produced one of the most enduring legends of the American Revolution. During the battle, Margaret Hayes, the wife of an American soldier, went about the battlefield delivering pitchers of water to parched troops. In addition, she even helped man a cannon when her husband, who was part of the gun crew, was wounded. In the years following the battle, Margaret evolved into Molly Pitcher, an icon for the women of the American Revolution.
Also, on this day in U.S. history:
- 1870: Congress creates the federal holidays of New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
- 1935: President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves a federal gold vault to be built at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
- 1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson approves the first U.S. ground combat forces in Vietnam.
Note: Information and photograph from Learn our History — This week in History.
