A very smart cannonading ensued from both sides.

1
Artillery at Monmouth Courthouse, 28 June 1778
John U. Rees
(Earlier version Published in Military Collector & Historian, vol. 60, no. 1 (Spring 2008), 38-39.)

Battery Fire by Bryant White

___________________

Appendices
1. Col. Richard Butlers 1778 Map of the Monmouth Battle (drawn by William Gray)
2. The Company was sent to Eastown with the pieces taken at Saratoga
Brig. Gen. William Maxwells Jersey Brigade Artillery at Monmouth.
3. Recreations of late 18th Century Cannons, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons

4. Period Images of English Cannon and Ammunition/Powder Wagons

5. Images of German (mostly Hessian) Artillery, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons
during the Period of the War for American Independence

___________________

Artillery, Continental and British, played an important part in the 28 June 1778 Battle of
Monmouth. The British guns largest role was taking part in the lengthy, very impressive,
but somewhat ineffectual afternoon cannonade. On the Whig side, artillery under Lt.
Colonel Eleazer Oswald, did stellar service, beginning with at least one stand covering the
retreat of Maj. Gen. Charles Lees Advance Force, to the defensive action at the Hedgerow.
And, of course, ten field-pieces fired from Perrine Ridge during the late-day mutual
bombardment, while four cannon stationed on Combs Hill enfiladed British troops
stationed at and near the Hedgerow, in front of the Parsonage Farm complex.
To gain some appreciation of the use of artillery that day, let us begin with the
confrontation between Lees Advance Force and the British rearguard at Monmouth
Courthouse, and the subsequent American retreat.
Lees Continental troops moved that morning from their quarters at or near Englishtown
towards the courthouse, where Gen. Sir Henry Clintons rearguard regiments were in the
process of breaking camp. Spotting British forces formed on the plain, ready to march after
their main column, Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne led three regiments against their van on the
left, while Maj. Gen. Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de
Lafayette and three regiments advanced against the British rear on the right. Major
General Lee recalled that the latter half of their advance was executed "with great rapidity
'till we emerged from the wood into the plain; the wood extended itself close on our left to a
point about 300 yards distant ... Arriving in view of the enemy [t]he plain was
extensive, and ... their force was considerably larger than I had been taught to expect; a
column of artillery, with a strong covering party, both horse and foot, presented themselves,
in the centre of the plain, another much larger appear'd directing their course towards the
Court-house on our right." Lees aide Lt. Col. John Brooks recalled, "After having passed
the woods and coming out into the plain, about a mile below the Court-house, being at some
little distance from the front, I observed the head of General Lee's column filing to the right
towards the Court-house. The whole of the column ... kept on in the same direction till the
whole made a halt, which lasted about ten or fifteen minutes. A cannonade had now taken
place between us and the enemy, who at this time appeared to be gaining the Court-house
and our right; at this time the column began its march, and I immediately rode to the left to
see what position the troops were in. After initial minor contact with the enemy General
Wayne was ordered to "advance with the troops under his command [which consisted at this
time of Colonel Henry Jackson's, Lt. Col. John Park's and Colonel Richard Butler's
battalions] and attack the enemy in the rear; that all the General expected from his attack
was, to halt the enemy ... [the aforesaid three regiments formed the left of the line and, after
they came up,] The three regiments in General Wayne's [original] detachment, Colonel
[James] Wesson's, Colonel [Walter] Stewart's, and Colonel [Henry] Livingston's, were
ordered to the right, and General Lee rode out to reconnoitre the enemy, who now
appeared in full view. He rode toward's Colonel Oswald's [two artillery] pieces, who
had began a very sharp fire on the enemy, but a much severer was kept up from them,
as they had a great many more pieces ... they appeared in much greater numbers I believe
than General Lee expected ..." (Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton wrote later, I was
spectator to Lt Col: Oswalds [2nd Continental Artillery] behaviour, who kept up a
gallant fire from some pieces commanded by him, uncovered and unsupported )
Captain Mercer blamed the premature withdrawal on Scott's detachment and Maxwell's

brigade at the left of the line. After contact with the British near the Courthouse Waynes
command was also forced to retreat, making their way back towards "the height occupied
afterwards by Lord Stirling ..."2
After being ordered to retreat from in front of Monmouth Courthouse, the artillery
under Colonel Oswald "formed upon ... [an] eminence [near the Point of Woods],
which I suppose was about a quarter of a mile in the rear of where I was, [where] I
discovered on my left General Maxwell's brigade and General Scott's detachment
coming out of the wood upon this eminence I had formed for action, and had taken
two pieces from General Scott's detachment and two from General Maxwell's brigade,
making in all ten. I heard some person behind me ask one of my officers what we were
doing there with the pieces, and why we did not retreat. I turned my horse about and
saw it was General Maxwell. I told him I had my orders; upon which he said, very
well, and went off ..." On being questioned later as to whether he was "certain that it
was General Scott's detachment and General Maxwell's brigade that you saw come
out of the wood, or their artillery only?" Oswald answered that he was "not certain
that it was General Scott's detachment, but I got their artillery, and there was a body
of men with the two pieces; but I am certain it was General Maxwell's brigade."
Colonel Oswald remained on the hill for a short time and then retreated again at
General Lee's order. "Just after I ascended the hill on the plain [after crossing the
defile near Carr's house], Major Shaw [possibly John Shaw, 2nd Continental Artillery]
came up, and said it was General Knox's order that I should form my pieces there; but
before this, I had ordered the two pieces I had taken from Scott's detachment, and the
two that I had taken from General Maxwell's brigade, to join their brigade again ..."
The artillery did stellar service during the withdrawal, Brigadier-General Henry Knox
stating that The field pieces were repeatedly unlimbered and fired on the enemy, who
advanced in our front in a scattered manner.3
Just east of the hedge-row position General Anthony Wayne's troops went into the Rhea
Plantation woods. Mercer then told Wayne "that General Lee's orders were, that he
should defend that post ... and [after a short discussion] the action immediately
commenced in that wood; General Lee then sent me into the rear to Colonel Ogden's
regiment ... I saw there the Commanding Officer, who I did not know, and told him that
General Lee's orders were, that he should defend that [Parsonage Farm] wood to the last
extremity, and cover the retreat of the whole at the bridge; he replied, that the enemy had
got upon his left, and they were very good men, and it would never do to have them
sacrificed there. I mentioned to him, as I rode off, that they were not in more danger than
those in front." Waynes fight in Rhea Plantation Woods, east of the hedge-row, was the
first serious infantry action of the day, involving Stewarts and Ramseys battalions, with a
contingent of Virginians, against the Brigade of Guards. Shortly after Captain Mercer
returned to General Lee British troops forced Waynes regiments to retreat.4
Anthony Wayne described the Point of Woods (West Rhea Plantation) fight to his
wife, the Enemy following in force Rendered it very Difficult for the small force I
had to gain the main body, being often hard pushed and frequently Surrounded after
falling back about a mile we met His Excellency, who Surprised at our Retreat, knowing
that Officers as well as men were in high Spirits and wished for Nothing more than to be
faced about and meet the British fire he Accordingly Ordered me to keep post where
he met us with Stewarts & [Ramseys] Regiments and a Virginia Regt [the

consolidated 4th/8th/12th Virginia] then under my Command with two pieces of

Artillery and to keep [the Enemy] in play until he had an [opportunity] of forming
the Remainder of the Army and Restoring Order We had but just taken post when
the Enemy began their attack with Horse, foot, & Artillery, the fire of their whole united
force Obliged us after a Severe Conflict to give way 5
To the rear of the Rhea Plantation woods was a hedge-row (also called a hedge-fence or
fence), where the next combat occurred. General Lee recalled, I understood General
Wayne took the command in the point of the wood on our left, where Colonel Stewart had
been halted On their right on the opposite side of the plain, I had ordered Colonel
Oswald, with four pieces of artillery Being in an exposed position in front of the
line, I ordered [the artillery] into the rear of Livingstons which regiment, together
with Varnums brigade [and supported by a party of militia light-horse] lined the
fence [hedge-row] that stretchd across the open field ... I sent Captain Mercer, my
Aid-de-Camp, to Colonel Ogden, who ... had drawn up in the wood nearest the bridge in our
rear, and ordered him to defend that post, to cover the retreat of the whole over the bridge.
These battalions having sustaind with gallantry, and returnd with vigour, a very
considerable fire, were at length successively forced over the bridge" to General
Washingtons position on Perrine Hill.6
Colonel Laurens recalled the maddening withdrawal and the Continental troops first
stand, All this disgraceful retreating, passed without the firing of a musket, over ground
which might have been disputed inch by inch. We passed a defile and arrived at an
eminence beyond, which was defended on one side by an impenetrable fen, on the other
by thick woods where our men would have fought to advantage. Here, fortunately for the
honour of the army, and the welfare of America, Genl Washington met the troops
retreating in disorder [and] ordered some pieces of artillery to be brought up to
defend the pass, and some troops to form and defend the pieces. These were
Captain David Cooks and Captain Thomas Sewards 3rd Continental Artillery
batteries of two cannon each. Lt. Col. Oswald, 2nd Continental Artillery, asked later the
whereabouts of Livingstons Battalion supposed he had gone into the woods on my left,
where Colonel Stewart and Lieutenant-Colonel Ramsay were; but I afterwards
understood he was at the hedge-row, where General Varnums brigade was. Oswald
then described the hedge-row fight, I brought up the rear with Captain Cookes
two pieces, and placed them on an eminence, just in rear of the hedge-row, where I
found the troops formed. Through the breeches that had been made in the fence I
discharged several grapes of shot at the enemy, the infantry being engaged with
them. Captain-Lieutenant John Cumpston, 3rd Continental Artillery, served with
Cook at the hedge-row. Cumpston related that, after stopping during the retreat to
fire at the British, we then limbered our pieces and retired a short distance, formed
in the rear of a party of troops that were to cover our pieces. The enemy were then
advancing; a very heavy fire began of musquetry in our front and left wing. General
Knox gave us orders to give the enemy a shot. I believe our people made a stand
there about two minutes; after giving them two or three charges of grape shot, we
were ordered to retire across the morass. By the time we crossed it with our pieces,
there began a cannonade from our army who were on the hill.7

(Previous page) Period map of Monmouth battlefield. The author has added several positions
known to have been occupied by Continental artillery under Eleazer Oswald during the
morning confrontation with the enemy, and during the withdrawal to Perrine Ridge.
Manuscript 1778 map of the Monmouth battlefield. The original was drawn by Capt. William
Gray, 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, and once owned by Col. Richard Butler. Long held (likely
since 1863) in the collections of the New-York Historical Society, it lay hidden and was
rediscovered in 1998.

____________________________
Now let us turn to the 2 to 3 hour artillery duel that punctuated the afternoon battle.
Beginning about 2 oclock, Brig. Gen. Henry Knox, American artillery commander,
stated "The Army was drawn up on advantageous ground to receive the Enemy who
advanced to the Attack with Considerable impetuosity and by a brisk Cannonade which
was return'd with becoming spirit the Cannonade lasted untill about Six in the
Evening." Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling, recalled his troops massing on
Perrine Hill, with a morass in front, by the time they were well formed the Batteries
were all established; the Enemy appeared in the front of Wykoofs [Wicoffs] house, I began
a Cannonade on them with ten pieces, however they soon established a Strong Battery of
Sixes and twelves and some Howitz[ers] and endeavoured all they could to Discompose
the left Wing; but with out the least Effect; this cannonade was briskly kept up for upwards
of two hours 8 Lt. Col. Henry Dearborn described the action vividly,
we form.d & about 12 Peices of Artillery being brought on the hill with us: the Enimy at the
same time advancing very Rappedly finding we had form.d, they form.d in our front on a
Ridge & brought up their Artillery within about 60 Rods [330 yards] of our front. When the
briske[s]t Cannonade Commenced on both sides that I Ever heard. Both Armies ware on
Clear Ground & if any thing Can be Call.d Musical where there is so much Danger, I think
that was the finest musick, I Ever heared. however the agreeableness of the musick was very
often Lessend by the balls Coming too near Our men being very much beat out with
Fateague & heat which was very intence, we order.d them to sit Down & Rest them Selves
9

Grenadier Lt. William Hale, 45th Regiment, described the bombardment from the British
side. After attacking Continental troops at the hedge-row,
With some difficulty we were brought under the hill we had gained, and the most terrible
cannonade L[or]d. W[illiam]. Erskine [British quartermaster general, veteran of Fontenoy
and the Seven Years War] says he ever heard ensued and lasted for above two hours, at
the distance of 600 yards; on our side two medium twelves [12 pounder cannon], as many
[5 inch] howitzers and 6 six-pounders which were answered by fourteen pieces, long
twelves and french nines; our shells [i.e., howitzers] and twelves, which were admirably
conducted by a Capt. Williams, did most horrible execution among their line drawn up on
the hill.10

Lieutenant Hale told more of his experience under fire, as well as some of the
casualties incurred.
The shattered remains of our Battalion being under cover of our hill suffered little [from
the cannonade], but from thirst and heat of which several died, except some who

preferred the shade of some trees in the direct range of shot to the more horrid tortures of
thirst. Capt. Powell of the 52nd Grenadiers, one of these [seeking shade] had his arm
shattered to pieces At length finding we did not take possession of the hills [Combs
Hill] on their right, they brought some cannon on them and obliged us to move through
the wood to a hill at a greater distance, and some [British] brigades coming up both kept
possession of their field from which they moved that evening, and we in the night. Our
battalion lost 98, 11 officers killed and wounded, Major Gardner shot very badly through
the foot P.S. our wounded left behind, among them [Captain Thomas] Wills [23rd
Regiment] of Plym[outh]. who was [formerly] in the 45th, his thigh shattered by a cannon
ball I am told the General has expressed his approbation of the ridiculous behaviour of
the four sub[altern]. officers I before mentioned who had got foremost, among these was
my Bro[ther]. Officer who received a painful but not dangerous wound in the neck; the
action happened at Freehold. All friends well. [Conway] Courtenay [lieutenant, 15th
Regiment] and myself lay under the hill together during the cannonade, and swallowed a
canteen of water which a tempting dollar from my pocket prevailed on an artillery driver
to creep on all fours through the fire to fetch 11

Hale gave further details in a 14 July letter,

I escaped unhurt in the very hot action of the 28th last month, allowed to be the severest
that has happened, [in the hedge-row fight] the Rebels Cannon playing Grape and Case
upon us at the distance of 40 yards and the small arms within little more than half that
space; followed by a most incessant and terrible cannonade of near three hours
continuance; you may judge from the circumstances of our battalion guns, 6 pounders,
firing 160 rounds, and then desisting only lest ammunition should be wanting for Case
shot; of the roar kept up by our twelves [12 pounder cannon] and howitzers, answered by
near twenty pieces from their side on a hill 600 paces from ours 12

It must be noted that Lieutenant Hales claims as to the size and number of American
guns (long twelves and French nines and near twenty pieces) are exaggerated.

Above: Cone of fire from a 3 or 4 pounder artillery piece on Perrine Ridge, likely belonging
to Proctors Regiment. The target, fired on with grapeshot, was elements of the 2d
Battalion, 42d Regiment, in Derek Sutfins cider orchard. Interspersed among the
Continental batteries, as well as in the orchard and field, are fragments from British 5
inch howitzer shells. (For further details see map on following page.)
Garry Wheeler Stone, Daniel M. Sivilich, Mark Edward Lender, A Deadly Minuet: The
Advance of the New England Picked Men against the Royal Highlanders at the Battle of
Monmouth, 28 June 1778, The Brigade Dispatch, vol. XXVI, no. 2 (Summer 1996), 2-18.
(Image courtesy of Bravo [Battlefield Restoration & Archaeological Volunteer
Organization] http://www.bravodigs.org/index.html )

From, Garry Wheeler Stone, Daniel M. Sivilich, Mark Edward Lender, A Deadly Minuet:
The Advance of the New England Picked Men against the Royal Highlanders at the Battle
of Monmouth, 28 June 1778, The Brigade Dispatch, vol. XXVI, no. 2 (Summer 1996), 2-18.

Another Monmouth Battlefield study by BRAVO: Using GIS [Geographical Information

Software] analysis of case shot at the Parsonage site to identify the original cannon locations
of 4 French guns under the command of General Nathaniel Green. What is Battlefield
Archaeology? http://www.bravodigs.org/battlefield.html

Map of a portion of Monmouth battlefield, showing the afternoon artillery positions for
both combatants. http://www.bravodigs.org/molly.html . Most pertinent landmarks are
identified, except for: 2. Point of Woods, the first defensive position formed against the
British advance; and 3. British artillery and troops at the Hedgerow.

Continental Army field artillery in action. Detail from William Mercer, Battle of
Princeton on 3rd January 1777 (Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

All these descriptions are vague in certain crucial details. Of the ten or twelve Continental
cannon involved (perhaps more if you count the pieces under Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene
on the American right at Combs Hill), it is not certainly known which artillery companies
took part, and how many and what type of cannon each company used in the action.13
Here is what we do know. Before leaving Valley Forge a "Return of Continental &
private property Horses Field peices Ammunition & Baggage Waggons, in the Brigade of
Artillery commanded by Gen.l Knox," dated "Artillery Park, 28.th May 1778," listed 29
guns in the park, "26 of which have 4 horses" (a footnote states that "3 of the above guns
have but three horses each, & one Howitzer with two ditto"), and 29 ammunition wagons
with 4 horses per wagon, plus 6 spare ammunition wagons without horses.14
Commissary of Military Stores Samuel Hodgdons letter from "Croton Bridge 19 July
1778" to John Ruddock, Deputy Quartermaster of Stores at Fishkill, gives some idea of
cannon types via his account of ammunition expenditure:

Sir the great Consumption of Cannon Ammunition in the late Battle at Monmouth Renders
it Necessary that a Supply be sent With all posable dispatch to Camp
200 six pound strap shott
200 four pound Ditto
100 three pound Ditto is Much Wanted also
100 Good Arms & Accutrements
I have sent by Mr. Giles QrM Stores five Load of Damaged Arms & Ammunition Who
Will Conduct the Above stores to Camp 15

We can surmise from Hodgdons accounting that the majority of Continental cannon at
the Battle of Monmouth were four and six pound guns, and that perhaps four or five
hundred artillery rounds were fired (or lost) during the course of the day.
As for the units involved, part of Col. Thomas Proctors 4th Artillery Regiment was
stationed on the left during the cannonade, elements of the 1st, 2d and 3d Regiments also
took part, and all suffered casualties that day. Furthermore, the guns at the Combs Hill
position have yet to be identified.16
Despite the lack of some specific information, it is certain that Gen. George Washingtons
artillery performed very well at Monmouth. Both in covering Maj. Gen. Charles Lees
morning retreat and in the afternoon cannonade, described by one officer as heavyer than
Ever known on the field in America before," Col. Alexander Hamilton, a hard man to
please, noted of the American batteries, The Artillery acquitted themselves most
charmingly.17
_______________________
My thanks to Frank Cecala, Ed Magiera, John Mills, Princeton Battlefield Park, George
Quintal, Robert A. Selig, and Garry W. Stone, Monmouth Battlefield Park, for providing
information for this article, and to Bryant White and Pamela Patrick White for their
artwork.
_______________________

Image of artillery field piece and two-horse limber, from a powder horn engraving.
This drawing is from Harold L. Peterson, Round Shot and Rammers: An Introduction
to Muzzle-loading Land Artillery in the United States (South Bend, In.: South Bend
Replicas, 1969), 59. Also see photograph of powder horn in Harold L. Peterson, The
Book of the Continental Soldier (Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1968), 132.

Appendices
1. Col. Richard Butlers 1778 Map of the Monmouth Battle (drawn by William Gray)

Modern version of manuscript 1778 map of the Monmouth battlefield. The original was drawn
by Capt. William Gray, 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, and once owned by Col. Richard Butler.
Long held (likely since 1863) in the collections of the New-York Historical Society, it lay hidden
and was rediscovered in 1998. (See next page for more details.)

(Richard Butler Monmouth battlefield map, western half)

(Richard Butler Monmouth battlefield map, eastern half)

On Perrine Hill, during the cannonade, General [George Washington] coolly standing in
his stirrups, was said to say to the officers who urged that that was no place for him that
he was admiring the manner in which Proctor [Col. Thomas Proctor, 4th Continental
Artillery Regiment] was handling their right. Reminiscences of Dr. William Read,
Arranged From His Notes and Papers, R.W. Gibbes, M.D., Documentary History of the
American Revolution: Consisting of Letters and Papers Relating to the Contest for Liberty,
Chiefly in South Carolina, From Originals in the Possession of the Editor, and Other Sources.
1776-1782 (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1857), 255-258. Early artwork by Don Troiani.
_______________________

2. The Company was sent to Eastown with the pieces taken at Saratoga
Brig. Gen. William Maxwells Jersey Brigade Artillery at Monmouth.
"The Cannonade was heavyer than Ever known on the field in America before ..."
Col. Israel Shreve describing the 28 June 1778 afternoon artillery duel.12

Each brigade in Washingtons army had at least two cannon attached to it for field
service. Maj. Joseph Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, identified the New Jersey brigade artillery:
"In 1776 two Companies of Artillery were raised in New Jersey for one Year & afterwards
the Officers Commissioned for the War. the Company in West Jersey, was Commanded by
Hugg-Westcoat & Dayton [Capt. John Westcott was captain, 2d Lt. Joseph Dayton; Samuel
Hugg had commanded the company up to June 1777] - and arranged as one of the
Companys of [Col. John] Lambs Artillery & in 1778 Attached to the Jersey Brigade with
two field Pieces ..." Drummer Joseph Lummis, Capt. Thomas Randalls company, Lamb's
2d Continental Artillery Regiment, stated that his company "took winter quarters at Valley
forge and in the Spring of 1778 was detatched to the New Jersey troops under the Command
of General Maxfield [and was with him at the battle of Monmouth] served in the Jersey line
the Campaign of 1778 and took Winter quarters at Elizabeth town, and in the Spring 1779
the Company was sent to Eastown with the pieces taken at Saratoga where they remained
until [Major] General [John] Sullivan returned from after the Indians ..." Identity of the
attached artillery is confused by Col. Israel Shreves 7 April 1778 letter to General
Washington from Mount Holly, New Jersey: If your Excy. should think proper to send
more troops to this Quarter, with Artillery, I Beg for the Jersey Compy. Of Artillery, at

present Commanded by Capt. Lt. Seth Bowen [3d Continental Artillery] The brigade
artillery was correctly noted in an account of a 25 February 1779 British attack on
Elizabethtown, New Jersey, General Maxwell noting, A few well directed shot from Capt.
Randolphs [Thomas Randall, 2d Continental] Artilery induced them to continue their retreat
leaving two killed on the ground ...18
Lt. Colonel Eleazer Oswald, 2d Continental Artillery, stated at Lees court martial stated
that after being ordered to retreat from in front of Monmouth Courthouse his artillery
formed upon ... [an] eminence, which I suppose was about a quarter of a mile in the rear of
where I was [previously], [where] I discovered on my left General Maxwell's brigade and
General Scott's detachment coming out of the wood upon this eminence I had formed for
action, and had taken two pieces from General Scott's detachment and two from General
Maxwell's brigade, making in all ten. I heard some person behind me ask one of my officers
what we were doing there with the pieces, and why we did not retreat. I turned my horse
about and saw it was General Maxwell. I told him I had my orders; upon which he said, very
well, and went off ... 19

On being questioned later as to whether he was "certain that it was General Scott's
detachment and General Maxwell's brigade that you saw come out of the wood, or their
artillery only?" Oswald answered that he was "not certain that it was General Scott's
detachment, but I got their artillery, and there was a body of men with the two pieces; but I
am certain it was General Maxwell's brigade." Colonel Oswald remained on the hill for a
short time and then retreated again at General Lee's order. "Just after I ascended the hill on
the plain [after crossing the defile near Carr's house], Major Shaw came up, and said it was
General Knox's order that I should form my pieces there; but before this, I had ordered the
two pieces I had taken from Scott's detachment, and the two that I had taken from General
Maxwell's brigade, to join their brigade again ..."20
Caleb Fulkerson, 1st New Jersey fifer serving for nine months, stated with regard to the
artillery that at Monmouth "the Brigade to which... [he] was attached was held as a reserve
... excepting their Artillery which was engaged." He refers to the action under Lt. Col.
Oswald in the morning near the courthouse, and their role in the afternoon's heavy
cannonading at the Perrine Hill position.21

Continental Army artillery crew and field piece. Artwork by Bryant White,
http://www.whitehistoricart.com (Copyright 2004). Courtesy of the artist.

2. Recreations of late 18th Century Cannons, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons

3-pound field gun and limber. Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road,
Statesville, N.C.

Iron 3-pounder and limber, 1st Continental Artillery (living history unit).

3-pounder grasshopper gun,

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site New Windsor , N.Y.

Grasshopper gun (Image courtesy of Jymm Hoffman)

? Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. (http://fortligonier.org/ ) ?

(Above and below) 3-pounder, West Jersey artillery (living history unit).

Light 6-pounder and limber

? Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. (http://fortligonier.org/ ) ?

Powder cart, Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. (http://fortligonier.org/ )

(Above and below) Recreated artillery limber. (Images courtesy of John Ruf)

Traces for recreated limber (see above). John Ruf notes, I made the traces from hemp
rope covered in deerhide at the eyes to the toggles (which I handmade from bar stock.
The saddle and collar, however, are my mountain howitzer Artillery Grimsley harness,
which is an anachronism. (Images courtesy of John Ruf)

4. Period Images of English Cannon and Ammunition/Powder Wagons

Side and overhead views of British 6-pounder field gun. Harold L. Peterson, The Book of the
Continental Soldier (Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1968), 116, 121.

Gun (circa 1747), by Thomas Sandby. Yale Centre for British Art, Hartford, Ct.

Artillery piece on the move, attached to limber and horse team. Detail from Phillippe
Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740-1812), Warley Camp: The Review (1780), Oil on
canvas 121.3 x 183.5 cm, Painted for George III, RCIN 406349, The Royal Collection.
(See entire painting, following page.)

English "Powder Cart," circa 1757. Overall length is approximately 13 1/2 feet. In January
1777 General Washington recommended for the Continental army "Chaises marine [twowheeled carts] made for the Artillery and Regimental amunition, light, strong and covered ..."
It is not known if such vehicles were adopted. Muller, Treatise of Artillery, plate XIX.
Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 31 January 1777, Fitzpatrick, WGW, vol. 7 (1932), 83 (see also
pagenote).

English ammunition wagon, circa 1757. Overall length is 26 feet; the cargo-carrying body is 14
feet long by 4 feet wide. Most Continental army ammunition wagons were likely made with
four wheels. Muller, Treatise of Artillery, plate XX.

5. Images of German (mostly Hessian) Artillery, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons

during the Period of the War for American Independence

(Above and below)

Hessian 3-pounder gun with limber, circa 1770. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/15)
Image 15 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=search&sl=de&u=http://digam.net/them
af543.html%3Flpt%3D177&sandbox=0&usg=ALkJrhjkzsnPdiFxh99jn7nP5DLsNzgk5g

Wilhelmshher Kriegskarten collection

WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=search&sl=de&u=http://digam.net/themaf543.h
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(Description of Collection)
Wilhelmshher War Card
The Hessian State Archives Marburg (StAM) is one of the three archives of the Hessian
State Archive and is based in Marburg
The Wilhelmshher war maps is a collection of nearly 3,000 tickets in the Hessisches
Staatsarchiv Marburg, which covers a period of 150 years. It was in 1700 by Landgrave
Karl created and led to the early 19th century; individual cards were added later. The
cards are bound in 44 volumes, of which most have the format 100x65 cm.
The Wilhelmshher war maps documenting theaters in Europe and North America since
the Thirty Years' War to the American liberation wars and the Napoleonic Wars. The
quality is very different from leaves that have been marked for training purposes in the
cartographers-training, to fully elaborated maps. Mostly it is hand-drawn, but in addition
also to woodcuts, colored and non-colored engravings and lithographs. The individual
sheets show geographical maps, battle maps and course maneuvers plans, gun drawings,
bearing drawings and orders of battle. You can be accompanied by descriptions, siege
diaries, commands and surrender documents.
A special feature about 200 maps from the American War of Independence from 1775, in
the English side on mercenaries from various German territories were used. The Hessian
corps presented by far the largest contingent of troops and also came the only its own maps
Officer. Can be on the cards as the state of New York read about 1776 or follow the
military operations in the War of Independence. Another example is maneuvering plans
from around Berlin, where the urban development of Berlin can be traced.
All Wilhelmshher war maps are available on the Internet.
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%25C3%25B6her_Kriegskarten&prev=search

Hessian 3-pounder gun with limber, 1789. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/18)
Image 18.0 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Carriage and limber for a Hessian 4-pounder cannon, n.d. [no date] (Inventory ID, HStAM
cards WHK 43/19). Image 19 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery,
1737-1819

Prussian 6-pounder cannon with carriage and limber, 1768. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards
WHK 43/21). Image 21 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 17371819
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6-pounder cannon with carriage and limber, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/22).
Image 22 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819

Hessian 6-pounder cannon with carriage, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/23c).
Image 23.3 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Hessian 6-pounder cannon with carriage, 1786. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/23d).
Image 23.4 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819

Drawing of a 12-pounder cannon, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/24). Image 24 of
WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Hessian 12-pounder cannon, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/26). Image 26 of
WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819

Drawing a howitzer with carriage, circa 1770. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK
43/13a). Image 13.1 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Drawing a 1-pounder Amusette from the armory in Kassel, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM
cards WHK 43/28). Image 28.0 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery,
1737-1819
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Drawings of 1-pounder Amusette, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/29). Image 29 of
WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Ammunition wagon, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/41h). Image 41.9 of WHK
Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819

Drawing a planned ammunition for artillery wagon, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK
43/33a). Image 33.1 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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Ammunition wagon for the guns of the Hessian artillery, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards
WHK 43/35c). Image 35.2 of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 17371819
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Drawings of an ammunition wagon, n.d. (Inventory ID, HStAM cards WHK 43/37). Image 37
of WHK Wilhelmshher War Card Vol. 43: Plans of Artillery, 1737-1819
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________________________________

__________________________________
(Images from Swann Auction Gallery Webpage)

The image above and those following were brought to my attention by Robert A. Selig. They
were offered for sale by Swann Auction Galleries with the appended description:
Sale 2384 Lot 254
(CANNONS AND MORTARS.) Collection of 11 large and exquisite watercolor drawings of
fieldpieces, folio or double elephant folio sheets, 650x980 mm largest sheet size. Watercolor,
ink, and pencil on watermarked laid paper. One of the sheets is stained, a few of the others
have small edge nicks, overall they are in very good condition, suitable for framing.
[German-speaking Europe, second-half 18th century]
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
AN EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE GROUP OF RENDERINGS.
Sub-groups within this collection focus on specific fieldpieces and show them from multiple
angles. One group is dated 1764; a new generation of cannon was issued by Great Britain in
that year, and this may be related to that change. Large-calibre cannons are well represented.
This school of drawing flourished in German-speaking Europe in the 18th and very early
19th centuries. The work was often done by accomplished cadets or officers, and, as with this
group and the few other collections we have seen, multiple artists are usually represented.
For similar (albeit somewhat less accomplished) drawings, look to the Hessian artillery
section in the Wilhelmshher Kriegskarten collection. In all likelihood the artillery depicted
here are either Hessian or Prussian, and similar pieces would have been deployed in the French
and Indian War and the American Revolution.
(Swann Auction Galleries
http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=2384+++++254+&refno=+
+703220&image=0 )

Hesse-Kassel 3-pdr "Regiments' Canon", plate created by Christian Rogge.

The accompanying scale drawings are tentative reconstructions based on the material provided, for most
part by the (Kassel) Wilhelmshher Kriegskarten (war maps) available from the Hessisches Staatsarchiv
Marburg, Germany (DigAM). They are based on the M1770 piece found there. This reconstruction is based
on the assumption that earlier pieces fielded from 1741 were of similar design, the M1770 pieces including
only minor modifications. Note: all feet and inches are expressed in Cassel foot (1' = 28.77 cm).
Basic scale for the proportions of the barrel was the calibre (i.e. the bore diameter), rather than the shot.
Metal strength of the tube walls were of solid design 1 calibre at the breech descending to 0,5 calibre at
the face of the muzzle.
Wheel diameter was Cassel 51.
For aiming the piece, a machinery based on an elevating screw had been introduced in 1742. Its looks are
unknown, therefore this machinery is only indicated, rather than illustrated in detail.

_________________________

Endnotes
1. Sgt. Ebenezer Wild, 1 st Massachusetts Regiment, 28 June 1778 journal entry. The full passage is
as follows: 28 June [1778]. This morning about 6 oclk the General beat; in about an hour
afterwards the Troop beat. We fell in & marched off. Went about 4 miles, & made a little halt to
sarch [search] our arms and ammunition. Every man was compleated with 40 rounds apiece. We
left all our packs and blankets, and marched on in pursuit of the enemy as far as we could. About
2 oclk came up with them. Our Division formed a line on the eminence about a half a mile in the
front of the enemy, and our artillery in our front. A very smart cannonading ensued from both
sides. We stayed here till several of our officers & men were killed and wounded. Seeing that it
was of no service to stand here, we went back a little ways into the woods; but the cannonading
still continued very smart on both sides about two hours, when the enemy retreated and we
marched up & took possession of their ground. This place is called Monmouth. It has been very
hot all day. Numbers of our men had fainted and given out with the heat before we came up to
the enemy. We lay here all night in the field. "Journal of Ebenezer Wild," Proceedings of the
Massachusetts Historical Society, 2nd series, vol. VI (Boston, Ma., 1891), 108-111.
2. "Proceedings of a General Court Martial ... for the Trial of Major General Lee. July 4th, 1778
...," The Lee Papers, vol. III, 1778-1782, Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the
Year 1873 (New York, 1874), testimony of: Captain Mercer, 102-114; Charles Lee, 174-189; Lt.
Col. Brooks, 143-156. Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 5 July 1778, Harold C. Syrett, ed.,
The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. I (New York and London: Columbia University Press,
1961), 513. This and the following excerpts are the result of my study of the battle, `What is this
you have been about to day?: The New Jersey Brigade at the Battle of Monmouth,
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm
Narrative: http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/Monmouth.htm#1
3. Lee Court Martial Proceedings, testimony of Lt. Col. Oswald, 134-138; Brigadier-General
Knox, 157.
4. Anthony Wayne to his wife, 1 July 1778, Lee Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical
Society, 448-449.
5. Lee Court Martial Proceedings, testimony of Charles Lee, 188-189.
6. John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 30 June 1778, Lee Papers, vol. II, Collections of the New-York
Historical Society, 431-434. Lee Court Martial Proceedings, testimony of: Lt. Col. Tilghman, 7982; Lt. Col. Oswald, 136, 139; Capt. Cumpiton, 142 (John Cumpston, captain-lieutenant, 3rd
Continental Artillery); Brigadier-General Knox, 157-158; Capt. Stewart, 160 (Thomas Seward,
captain, 3rd Continental Artillery).
7. Henry Knox to his brother, 3 July 1778, Henry Knox Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society
(microfilm edition), reel 4, vol. 4, item 117. Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, to
William H. Drayton, South Carolina Congressman, from Camp Whiteplains August 15th: 1778,
Letters of William Alexander, Lord Stirling, Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society,
vol, 60, no. 3 (July 1942), 173-174.
8. Lloyd A. Brown and Howard H. Peckham, eds., Revolutionary War Journals of Henry Dearborn,
1775-1783 (Chicago: The Caxton Club, 1939; reprinted Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, Inc., 1994),
127.
9. William Hale letter, 4 July 1778, Walter Harold Wilkin, Some British Soldiers in
America (London, Hugh Rees, Ltd., 1914), 257-260. Mark M. Boatner III, Encyclopedia of
the American Revolution (New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1966), 349.
10. Hale letter, 4 July 1778, Wilkin, Some British Soldiers in America, 257-260.
11. Hale letter, 14 July 1778, ibid.
12. Lt. Col. John Laurens, of General George Washingtons staff, stated that in the afternoon,
The General ordered Woodfords brigade [of Major-General Greenes wing] with some artillery
to take possession of an eminence [Combs Hill] on the enemys left and cannonade from thence.

This produced an excellent effect. The enemy were prevented from advancing on us, and
confined themselves to cannonade with a show of turning our left flank. Our artillery answered
theirs with the greatest vigour. John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 30 June 1778, The Lee Papers,
vol. II, 1776-1778, Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1872 (New York,
1873), 431-434 (hereafter cited as Lee Papers, vol. II, Collections of the New-York Historical
Society).
13. "A Return of Continental & private property Horses Field peices Ammunition & Baggage
Waggons, in the Brigade of Artillery commanded by Gen.l Knox." It is dated "Artillery Park, 28.th
May 1778," The Papers of the Continental Congress 1774-1789, National Archives Microfilm
Publications M247, (Washington, DC, 1958), reel 192, vol. 1, p. 249. The two 1777 letters below
give some indication regarding the state and nature of Washingtons field artillery later that year and
in 1778:
General Washington to the Board of War:
Head Quarters, Middle Brook, June 30, 1777.
Sir: I yesterday received your favor of the 28th Instant with the Inclosures.
Every proper measure has been already taken with respect to the Artillery, imported in
the Amphitrite. The whole 52 Pieces have been brought to Springfield, and the 31 of the
Swedish light construction are ordered on thence to Litchfield, from which place they
will be forwarded to Camp, as fast as circumstances will permit. The other 21 are made
upon an old plan exceedingly heavy and unmanageable, intended to be used principally in
embrazures, and requiring so large a Number of Horses to carry them, and Men to
manoeuvre them, as must render them very inconvenient for Field Service, and the more
liable to be lost in an unsuccessful action. For these reasons, it has been judged expedient,
to have them cast over and constructed upon a lighter plan, which, besides making them
more portable and convenient for use, will be attended with the advantage of increasing
the number. Each of those heavy four Pounders, will nearly make three Six pounders,
Sufficiently Substantial for any purpose whatever. Congress have directed the Council of
Massachusetts to establish a Foundery, and have them new Cast; and Springfield is the
Place designed for the purpose. It were to be wished, that a matter of such importance
may meet with no delays, that can be avoided.
The Light pieces will all join the Army, as fast as the repairs they want can be
completed; The necessary Horses and tackling provided to convey them, and the
Ammunition and Men to serve them, prepared and collected. It will answer no good end
to bring them forward, faster than all these necessary matters can be adjusted. On the
contrary, they would only be an incumbrance. General Knox informs me, that a part of
them will be shortly at Camp properly equipped and manned. The rest will be on as
expeditiously as they can come, in the same condition.
I have given orders, not to send on the Twelve pieces, demanded by General Schuyler
for the Northern Department. As he is in a Garrison, and has a Sufficient quantity of
garrison Artillery, I see not the propriety of his requesting such a number of field pieces,
in addition to those he already has. They cannot be wanted in the garrison, and in case of
any accident, would in all probability be lost. I should not wish to have them hazarded
with so little chance as there is of their answering any valuable end, to compensate for the
risk, and when we have the greatest occasion for them in this Quarter. I have however
promised him a part of the next importation. When we have a great plenty, a few may be
spared, and exposed, even where they are not essentially required; but in the present
Scarcity, the good of the Service will by no means permit it.
I could wish, that there was some uniform channel ascertained, through which
applications of this nature should always come. The present practice is productive of
much confusion and embarrassment; and the Service will be very likely to suffer, while
Officers in the different departments can send orders, to procure what articles and in what

proportion they think necessary. Unless there is some general regulating hand to make the
distribution, it may often happen, that articles may be drawn away to places where there
is little need of them; when there is an absolute call for them at others, and the worst
effects may result from the not having them. This was very near happening in a late
instance with respect to Tents. General Gates sent to me to request a supply of two
thousand for the Northern Army. Every appearance convinced me that the Army under
me would be greatly Straitened in this important Article, having sustained so
considerable a loss at Danbury; And as the Northern Troops were in a Stationary post,
provided with Barracks, and might easily raise comfortable huts, to make good any
deficiency of covering, which was not practicable to us, in the desultory State in which
we must necessarily be. It was not in my power to comply with his request in its extent;
but I assured him that he should have as many as could possibly be spared after the
indespensible demand for this Army had been answered. I afterwards found, that besides
the application to me, he had solicited the Council of the State of Massachusetts to send
him 2000 from that State, having heard of a quantity being arrived in the Amphitrite, tho'
the number required was more than double the number arrived. The Council referred the
request to General Heath, who suspended a compliance with it, till my consent could be
obtained; Had he not done this, and had the Tents gone on agreeable to Genl. Gates
requisition, very great inconveniences would have followed; for all we have been able to
collect, have not been equivalent to our wants.
General Schuyler has proceeded in a Similar manner. Not contenting himself with
barely applying to me, he has sent an order to the Commanding Officer of Artillery at
Springfield, desiring him to send the 12 Pieces on immediately. You will easily perceive
the ill consequences that must flow from such an irregular indefinite mode of drawing
supplies; I am not so solicitous, where the power of dispensing them is vested; but I
should be glad to see it fixed somewhere, that when any demands are made, a knowledge
of all circumstances, may enable those to whom they are made, to form a right judgment
of their propriety and expediency..
Washington to Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler:
Head Quarters, Ramapough, July 24, 1777.
Dear Sir: Your two favours of the 21st. and 22d. instant with their inclosures are come
to hand You seem to apprehend, that the Artillery sent up to you will be useless, for
the want of a Sufficient number of hands to manage them; but I see no reason to imagine
this will be the case, as by your last return, including non commissioned Officers, you
will have nearly twelve Men to each piece, which are as many as we make use of here,
and are Sufficient for the purpose. Not more than six Artillerists are required to load and
fire a piece, in action and you will have Six others to each, to make good any loss that
may happen. For the dragg-ropes and for any thing else, besides loading and firing, active
men drafted from the Battalions will answer extremely well; and a very few days are
necessary, if diligence is used, to make men, tolerably intelligent, capable of performing
every part of the duty of a private Artillerest.
George Washington to the Board of War, 30 June 1777, and to Philip Schuyler, 24 July 1777,
John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources
17451799, 8 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1933), 318-320, 456-459.
14. Samuel Hodgdon to John Ruddock, 19 July 1778, Letters sent by Commissary General of
Military Stores and Assistant Quartermaster Samuel Hodgdon ... July 19, 1778-May 24, 1784,
Numbered Record Books Concerning Military Operations and Service, Pay and Settlement of
Accounts, and Supplies in the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record
Group 93, National Archives Microfilm Publication M853, reel 33, vol. 111, p. 96. Strap shott
was more commonly called fixed ammunition. In his work British Artillery Ammunition, 1780
Adrian B, Caruana notes, Fixed ammunition was reserved exclusively for field pieces, and was in

1780 considered to mean either round or case shot fixed to wooden bottoms which were in turn
attached to flannel cartridges filled with powder. This implied a fixed quantity of powder in the
cartridge since only by detaching it from the remainder of the load could the amount of powder be
altered. Semi-fixed ammunition consisted of the projectile fixed to a wooden bottom, but with no
cartridge attached. This could be later completed into fixed ammunition by the addition of a cartridge
A British return of artillery employed in Germany in the Campaign of 1762 included Round
Shot fixt to Wood Bottoms with Flannel Cartridges filled with Powder, while an Extract of a
Proportion of Ordnance for a Battering and Field Train proposed for an Expedition to Canada
1776 lists Round Shot fixed to Wood Bottoms with filled Flannel Cartridges, and Case Shot
fixed to Wood Bottoms with filled Flannel Cartridges for 6 and 12 pounder cannon. Adrian B,
Caruana, British Artillery Ammunition, 1780 (Bloomfield, Ontario; Museum Restoration Service,
1979), 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 43-44.
15. Georgian Dr. William Read was traveling to join Washingtons army that June, and left a
compelling account of the cannonade and its aftermath (Read wrote his narrative in the third
person). At one point in the action Read saw General [Washington] coolly standing in his
stirrups, [and] was said to say to the officers who urged that that was no place for him, he being
observed by the enemy, that he was admiring the manner in which Proctor [Colonel Thomas
Proctor, 4th Artillery Regiment] was handling their right. Dr. Read was near enough to hear the
word Proctor, and was told what the General said. Reminiscences of Dr. William Read,
Arranged From His Notes and Papers, R.W. Gibbes, M.D., Documentary History of the
American Revolution: Consisting of Letters and Papers Relating to the Contest for Liberty,
Chiefly in South Carolina, From Originals in the Possession of the Editor, and Other Sources.
1776-1782 (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1857), 255-258 (Courtesy of Joseph Lee Boyle and
Garry Stone). More information on artillery units and officers can be found in John U. Rees,
"What is this you have been about to day?: The New Jersey Brigade at the Battle of Monmouth
(World Wide Web), http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm
16. Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 5 July 1778, Syrett, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton,
513. Israel Shreve to his wife, Mary (Polly), from Englishtown, 29 June 1778, Israel Shreve Papers,
Buxton Collection, Louisiana Tech Univ., Ruston, La.
17. Ibid.

18. Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications in the National Archives (Washington,
D.C., 1976). the actual applications themselves and related materials may be found in
National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 (2,670 reels), Joseph Lummis deposition
(S41784), a drummer in the company of Captain "Randal" of Lambs 2d Continental
Artillery); Joseph Bloomfields deposition is in Lummiss file. Maxwell to Washington, 27
February 1779, The Papers of the Continental Congress 1774-1789, National Archives
Microfilm Publications M247 (Washington, DC, 1958), reel 169, p. 139.
19. "Proceedings of a General Court Martial ... for the Trial of Major General Lee. July
4th, 1778 ...," Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1873 (New
York, 1874), Lt. Col. Oswald testimony, 134-138.
20. Ibid.
21. Revolutionary War Pension Applications, Caleb Fulkerson deposition (W17935).
For more on the Monmouth campaign and battle see:

Reach Coryels ferry. Encamp on the Pennsylvania side.: The March from Valley
Forge to Monmouth Courthouse, 18 to 28 June 1778
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133301501/Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-Pennsylvaniaside--The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-June-1778

Endnotes:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133293312/Endnotes-Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-thePennsylvania-side--The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28June-1778
Contents
1. We struck our tents and loaded our baggage.: Leaving Valley Forge
2. Progress, June 18, 1778.
3. Progress, June 19, 1778.
4. Crost the dilliware pushed on about 5 milds : June 20, 1778: Progress and a River Crossing
5. 4 Wagons & Horses, and 1000 Men at a Try.: The Mechanics of Ferrying an Army
6. Halt on the first strong ground after passing the Delaware ...: June 20th River Crossing
7. The number of boats will render the passage of the troops very expeditious.:
June 21st Ferry Operation
8. The Troops are passing the River and are mostly over.: June 22d Crossing
9. The Army will march off : June 22d and 23d, Camp at Amwell Meeting
10. Just after we halted we sent out a large detachment : Camp and Council: Hopewell
Township, 23 to 24 June
11. Giving the Enemy a stroke is a very desireable event : Advancing to Englishtown,
24 to 28 June
a. Progress, June 25, 1778.
b. Progress, June 26, 1778.
c. Progress, June 27, 1778.
d. Forward to Battle, June 28, 1778.
12. Our advanced Corps took post in the evening on the Monmouth Road :
Movements of Continental Detachments Followng the British, 24 to 28 June 1778
a. The Advance Force: Scotts, Waynes, Lafayettes, and Lees Detachments.
b. Daily Movements of Detachments Later Incorporated into Lees Advanced Corps.
13. Echoes of 1778, Three Years After.
Addendum
1. Driving Directions, Continental Army Route from Valley Forge to Englishtown
2. Day by Day Recap of Route
3. The Road to Hopewell.
4. The Bungtown Road Controversy.
5. Weather During the Monmouth Campaign
6. Selected Accounts of the March from Valley Forge to Englishtown
a. Fifteen-year-old Sally Wister
b. Surgeon Samuel Adams, 3rd Continental Artillery
c. Henry Dearborn, lt. colonel, 3rd New Hampshire Regiment
d. Captain Paul Brigham, 8th Connecticut Regiment
e. Sergeant Ebenezer Wild, 1st Massachusetts Regiment
f. Sgt. Jeremiah Greenman, 2d Rhode Island Regiment
g. Dr. James McHenry, assistant secretary to General Washington
7. List of Related works by the author on military material culture and the Continental Army
Endnotes contain:
1. Army General and Brigade Orders, June 1778.
a. Orders Regulating the Army on the March from Valley Forge.
b. Orders Issued During the Movement from Valley Forge to Englishtown.
2. Division and Brigade Composition for Washingtons Main Army to 22 June 1778
3. Washingtons army vehicle allotment for the march to Coryells Ferry,
4. Wheeled Transportation (a primer on the vehicles and artillery on the road to
Monmouth, including twenty-one illustrations)
5. Division and Brigade Composition for Washingtons Main Army after 22 June 1778

`What is this you have been about to day?: The New Jersey Brigade at the Battle of
Monmouth, http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm
Narrative
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/Monmouth.htm#1
1. Introduction
2. "In readiness to march at a moment's warning ...": Pre-Battle Dispositions and Plans
3. "To get up with the enemy": Major General Charles Lee's Force Sets Off
4. "I found the whole of the troops upon my right retreating ...": Morning Confrontation at
Monmouth Courthouse
5. "The day was so excessively hot ...": Lees Retreat
6. They answered him with three cheers ...: Washington Recovers the Day
7. The Action was Exceedingly warm and well Maintained : Infantry Fighting at the
Point of Woods, Hedge-row, and Parsonage
8. "The finest musick, I Ever heared.": Afternoon Artillery Duel, and Cilleys Attack on the 42nd Regiment
9. Detached to assist in burying the dead : Battles Aftermath
10. The March has proved salutory to the troops.: Post-Battle: The Continental Army Moves North
11.A very irregular & ill managed Embarkation.: Post-Battle British March to Sandy Hook
12. "The defective constitution of our army ...": Casting Blame for the Morning Debacle
13. Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778: Event Synopsis
Appendices
A. Beware of being Burgoyned.: Marching Toward Monmouth, Delaware River to Freehold, 18
to 27 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthA.htm
B. The whole army moved towards the Delaware : Continental Army March from Valley
Forge to Englishtown, N.J., 18 to 27 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthB.htm
C. General Lee being detached with the advanced Corps : Composition of Charles Lees Force
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthC.htm
D. Our Division formed a line on the eminence :Washingtons Main Army Order of Battle,
28 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthD.htm
E. A large Number of troops : Continental and British Army Field Returns, 28 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthE.htm
F.I resolved nevertheless to attack them : American Monmouth Battle Accounts
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthF.htm
G. Charge, Grenadiers, never heed forming: British Accounts of the Monmouth Battle
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthG.htm
H. "More Glorious to America than at first Supposed ...": New Jersey Officers Describe the Battle of
Monmouth
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthH.htm
I. "They answered him with three cheers ...": New Jersey Common Soldiers' Pension Depositions
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthI.htm
J. A very smart cannonading ensued from both sides.: Maxwells Jersey Brigade Artillery and
the Afternoon Cannonade at Monmouth
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthJ.htm
K. Jun 29th, Buried the Dead : Casualties in the Battle of Monmouth
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthK.htm
L. We are informed by several persons : Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthL.htm
M. That damned blue Regiment : Continental Army Clothing during the Monmouth Campaign
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthM.htm
N. General Wayne's detachment is almost starving.: Provisioning Washingtons Army on the
March, June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthN.htm

O. The canopy of heaven for our tent: Soldiers' Shelter on Campaign, June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthO.htm
P. Be pleased to fill up the vacancy with the eldest Captain in the line : Field Officers, Commissioned
Officers, and Staff of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment December 1777 to May 1779
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthP.htm
Q. Exceeding Hot & water is scarce : Monmouth Campaign Weather, 15 June to 7 July, 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthQ.pdf
Monmouth

Campaign and Battle (article list)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/184693733/Articles-on-the-Monmouth-Campaign-andBattle-June-1778
Resource File: Examples of Continental Army Camp Equipage and Vehicle
Returns, 1775-1781 (John U. Rees) http://www.scribd.com/doc/223095304/ResourceFile-Examples-of-Continental-Army-Camp-Equipage-and-Vehicle-Returns-17761781-John-U-Rees

This archaeological map illustrates the distribution of 2 ounce grape or case shot in and
near Derick Sutfins cider orchard, as well as the location of one of Proctors artillery
pieces. At the upper left of the map, four pieces of 2-ounce grapeshot appear to be the
remains of a round broken by the Continental artillerists. (Daniel M. Sivilich and Garry
Wheeler Stone) Where was Molly Hays During the Battle of Monmouth?
http://www.bravodigs.org/molly.html