MONMOUTH

The 232nd Anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth

At attention on the parade ground.

The reenactors have a long day ahead as temps topped 91 degrees.

The 2nd NJ was there as well as the 11th Pennsylvania Militia.

The Monmouth Battlefield Park was full of tents.

And more tents!

The Light Dragoons.

The sutlers stores, all thirty of them had everything. Uniforms, shoes, boots, dresses, accessories and books are all available.

On this hot day, there were also ices and cold drinks.

A cannon demonstration.

The reenactors go all out and everyone was very friendly and ready to answer all questions.

The kids had a great time joining up with the Continental Army.

The soldiers had a different idea of what to drink in camp.

The British Soldiers in a drill.

The fife and drum.

The Americans get ready to march off to the battle.

Washington gives a great speech to the men.

The men are ready!

Last minute adjustments.

Some of the finery available.

From behind the safety line, we watch the dragoons and infantry fire at the British and Hessian's.

More troops move into position.

A counter march.

Washington arrives on the battlefield to steady the men.

The Americans are being flanked here.

The Hessian Jaeger and British foot soldier move up to fire.
























The Hessian's are flanking the American position.

The American 4th Light Dragoons have dismounted and are fighting on foot.

The British have moved up to support the Hessian position.













The British have taken the field, until Washington regroups and forces them back.

6/28/1778, the Battle. The American Army stood toe to toe with the best Army in the world. The day was considered a draw, but the British left the field and retreated. It was the biggest and longest battle of the war. Casualties were high as men died from heat as well as battle.

6/19/2010, the re-enactment. I drove 190 miles to see the reenactment. It was $8 a car load, what a deal. The park is beautiful. This was so cool and my kids loved it. It was a wonderful Father's day present.

NEW YORK- Manhattan

From 9/16- 10/20 1776, Washington stayed here at the Morris-Jumel mansion. After the defeat at the Battle of Brooklyn, Washington and the Continental Army made a night time retreat across lower New York Bay into Manhattan. They continued their retreat up the length of Manhattan and held their ground. Their resolve surprised the pursuing British Army.

The rear of the mansion with it's unusual eight sided rooms. The house was one of many that dotted the hills of old New York. The owners came here to escape the heat of summer and to catch the breezes that swept over upper Manhattan. For Washington's purpose, the house on a hill gave him great views of the East River, lower Manhattan, and a view of the roads that led North. When old New York City burned down, Washington saw that too.

The view is obscured now, but you can still see the East River and Brooklyn in the distance. In 1776 Washington could see the camp fires of the British and Hessian armies. He also spied the British War Ships sailing up the East River.

The mansion still stands at 160th St. and Jumel Place. All the other houses are gone, but this one still guards silently the spot where Washington planned the war effort.

George Washington's Headquarters- Cambridge

General Washington arrived at Cambridge and took command of the Continental Army. He stayed at the Dean's home below on the Campus of Harvard. He reviewed the troops on the Cambridge Town Green.

Continental troops stayed in the dormitories of Harvard University. Washington looked at the militia's that made up his army. They were brave, but had no discipline. He had a long way to go in molding them into an army.

The evidence of their bravery was everywhere as the grave of the soldier below shows.

Christ's Church is where Washington attended services. He attended mass with Martha to welcome in 1776.

The General left Cambridge- Boston for New York City on April 3, 1776. He had just forced the British Army out of Boston with the help of Henry Knox and the cannons from Ticonderoga.