📅 On This Day in Military History
1 event across history
When the British evacuated Philadelphia after France entered the war, Washington pursued. General Charles Lee ordered an inexplicable retreat just as battle was joined. Washington rode furiously to the front and, reportedly furious, relieved Lee on the spot and turned the retreat into a battle. The Continental Army fought the British regulars to a standstill in 100-degree heat — the professional army Valley Forge had created proved itself equal to the redcoats. Molly Pitcher legend originates here.
Monmouth was the last major battle in the North. The new French alliance shifted British strategy south, and Washington's army had proven it could fight on equal terms. General Lee was court-martialed and never held command again.
Full battle details →