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Box Description
Monmouth 1778
The American Army that emerged from its winter cantonment at Valley Forge,
in the late spring of 1778, was a replenished, trained, and disciplined cadre. It was a force that General George Washington intended to use to deal a decisive blow to his newest adversary, British Lt. General Sir Henry Clinton.
Clinton had replaced General Howe as Commander in Chief of British forces in North America in late May and began immediately to execute a new directive from London. Philadelphia, captured the previous autumn by Crown forces, was to be evacuated. British forces were to shift their base of operations back to New York City. While Clinton had naval transport for a portion of his force, he could not move it all by sea. A land march across New Jersey would be necessary and it was here, along this line of march, that Washington intended to strike.
The Americans shadowed their prey until the British halted to rest at the crossroads hamlet of Monmouth Courthouse (modern day Freehold, New Jersey.) The longest battle of the American Revolution, fought on the hottest day in recorded weather history in New Jersey up to that time, was about to be fought.
Washington's plan called for an advanced corps of approximately 5,000 men, under the command of Major General Charles Lee, to spring upon the British rear guard, with Washington's main army in close support. Early reports from Lee were optimistic and Washington road forward expecting triumph. What Washington saw, on the other hand, was anything but. American units were in full retreat.
General Washington next met Lee riding ahead of a group of fleeing troops and only 15 minutes ahead of the nearest enemy pursuers. When Washington asked the meaning of the retreat, Lee offered a confused response, blamed his subordinates for dereliction of duty, and bluntly stated that he had never favored attacking the British in the first place. In one of the most famous scenes in the war, Washington relieved Lee of command from the saddle and took over management of the situation. At the end of the day, Washington held the field and Clinton continued, unmolested, on his way to Sandy Hook and passage over to New York. Most historians 'score' the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse to be a draw.
Monmouth puts you in command of the opposing forces on that terribly hot day when more men fell from heat stroke then from enemy action. Experience the initial frustration of American command and control breakdown until Lee is relieved of command. Feel the oppressive heat climb during the day and watch how it affects play. See Molly Pitcher rally a gun crew after her husband has fallen, working the piece in his place. Play the full campaign game and see if you can master your opponent more decisively then the historical protagonists did. Or play one of three short scenarios that put you in the middle of the action early, at mid-day and along Perrine Ridge as Washington makes his fabled stand.
Game Scale
UNIT: Battalions and Regiments
TIME: One hour per turn
MAP: 200 yards per hex
COMPLEXITY: Medium (5/9)
SOLITAIRE SUITABILITY: Medium (4/9)
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