The Great Cannonade
The Battle of Monmouth
28 June, 1778
1:15 PM – 5:30 PM
“… Shot and Shells flying as thick as Hail.”
Major General Nathanael Greene
For several long, hot and exhausting hours during the afternoon of June 28, 1778, the largest land artillery battle of the American Revolution raged. The climax of the battle took place here when, for almost three hours, ten Continental guns positioned on this hill fired upon then British guns located along the hedgerow on the hill in front of you.
The rain of shot and shell terrorized and astounded the infantry on both sides. Colonel Shreve, wrote “the cannonade was heavier than ever known in the field…. Cannon ball flew plentifully, and I cowardly dodged, which saved my head.”
While British shot spattered mud on General Washington’s uniform and his staff tried to get him to move, Washington calmly stood in his stirrups watching his artillery pound the Royal Highlanders.
The Continental artillery finally won the engagement when four additional guns were positioned on Combs Hill to attack the British left flank. Caught in the crossfire from the Continental guns, the British artillery withdrew, quickly followed by the British infantry.
Courtesy hmdb.org
