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Battle of Monmouth... General Washington's account...
Battle of Monmouth... General Washington's account...
Item # 558582
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September 12, 1778
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, September 12, 1778
* Battle of Monmouth
* General George Washington
* Revolutionary War original from the enemy
The sixth page of this issue has: "General Washington's Account of the late Action in the Jerseys, between General Clinton's and the American Army", which appeared in an issue of the Royal American Gazette, dated July 14, 1778.
The account, dated "Englishtown, July 1, 1778, begins: "I Embrace this first moment of leisure to give congress a more full and particular account of the movements of the army under my command, since its passing the Delaware, than the situation of our affairs would heretofore permit. I had the honor to advise them, that on appearance of the enemy's intention to march through Jersey becoming serious, I had detached General Maxwell's brigade, in conjunction with the militia of that state, to intercept and impede their progress, by every obstruction in their power, so as to give time to the army under my command to come up with them, and take advantage of any favorourable circumstances that might present themselves.... The flow advance of the enemy had greatly the air of design, and led me, with others, to suspect that General Clinton, disirous of a general action, was endeavouring to draw us down into the lower country..." (see).
This fine account continues with details about the movement of troops and other events precluding the famous battle, and ultimately the battle with the British troops. Of particular note is Washington's reaction when he encountered the infamous retreat of the advance corps led by General Lee: "...After marching about five miles, to my great surprize and mortification, I met the whole advance corps retreating, and, as I was told, by General Lee's orders..." and much more about the battle and the decisive action by Washington and his other officers to avoid a complete route and repulse several attacks by the British. The British eventually retreated but the American forces were to exhausted to mount a pursuit as mentioned by Washington near the end of account: "...The extreme heat of the weather, the fatigue of the men from their march through a deep, sandy country, almost...destitute of water, and the distance the enemy had gained by marching in the night, made a pursuit impracticable and fruitless. It would have answered no valuable purpose..."
In the conclusion of his account Washington acknowledges the "zeal and bravery of his officers and troops, especially General Wayne: "...I cannot, however forbear mentioning Brigadier General Wayne, whose good conduct and bravery, through the whole action, deserves particular commendation. the behavior of the troops in general, after they recovered from the first surprize...was such as could not be surpassed..." (see photos for portions of the account).
The account takes the entire page (three columns) and concludes on the bkpg., signed in type: G. Washington. Includes a return of the killed, wounded and missing of the "American army".
Earlier in this issue, under "American News" are other war-related reports, including details about the situation at Philadelphia following the departure of the British, plus some other particulars about the recent action in "Jersey".
Complete in 8 pages, in very good condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
