The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse

The Battle of Monmouth was fought on a day that was so hot that many soldiers on both sides died just from the heat, not wounds inflicted in battle.

Three significant things resulted from this battle:

• The ability of the American forces to hold the field at the end of the day shows the improvement to the army under Baron von Steuben's instruction during the winter at Valley Forge.

• The legend of Molly Pitcher, believed to have been Mary Ludwig Hays, who was married to Continental artilleryman William Hays. During the battle she took water to the American soldiers in a pitcher, earning the nickname. When her husband fell in the battle, she stepped up to take his place at the cannon swabbing the barrel and loading the balls.

• During the battle there was a noted disagreement between General Washington and General Lee, when Lee withdrew his forces against orders. According to legend, this caused Washington to swear at him, a rare event. What the exact details were is debated by modern historians, but the event cast a shadow over Lee thereafter.