Monmouth Battlefield State Park
20 State Route 33, Manalapan, NJ
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Date of Battle: June 28, 1778
The Battle
Following the French entry into the war, the British withdraw from Philadelphia to prevent them being trapped there by the French Navy. General Henry Clinton marches the bulk of his army across New Jersey, in order to allow the fleet to carry civilians and supplies.
The Americans leave Valley Forge to pursue the British. Washington initially gives command of the forward division to the Marquis de Lafayette. After the more senior General Charles Lee requests command, Washington agrees.
Lee’s army meets the British near Monmouth Courthouse but begins withdrawing from the field. General Washington arrives in time to stop the withdrawal, relieves General Lee from command and engages the British in a day-long battle. That night, the British continue their retreat toward New York City. General Lee is later court martialed and removed from command for his performance at the battle.
Visiting the Battleground
Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Freehold, New Jersey preserves the battle landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows and includes miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse, and a visitor center.
Address: 20 State Route 33, Manalapan, NJ
Entrance Fee: None
The visitor center is on top of Combs Hill, a site once commanded by the Continental Army artillery. You can explore the battlefield landscape from parking areas at the visitor center, along Monmouth County Route 522, and on Wemrock Road. Wayside exhibits are located on Perrine Hill, Combs Hill, and the battlefield.
Annually, on the third weekend in June, Revolutionary War re-enactors gather at to commemorate the anniversary of the battle. Check the Monmouth Battlefield State Park web site for details.
→ Have you been here? Do you have suggestions for others who are passionate about history and want to make the most of their visit, or recommendations for things nearby that every history lover should see? Please send them in and we may add them to this page.
Contributor: This list of major Revolutionary War Battles and descriptions was written by Michael Troy, the creator and host of the American Revolution Podcast, who selected these sites and described the battles.
Photo: "Monmouth Battlefield State Park" by OurMonmouth licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Editor: Creation of this trip, including additional research on visiting these historic sites by Donna Keesling, editor at The History List.
Updated April 8, 2022
List of trips to this site
- Major Battles of the Revolutionary War Worth Visiting
- Road Trip to the Major Battlegrounds of the American Revolution