HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
The following account of the Monmouth Campaign from a British soldier’s perspective details the events in our local area during their march through New Jersey.
June 23 Gen. Clinton with Lord Cornwallis’ Column, consisting of 1st & 2d Battalions Grenadiers and 1st & 2d Light Infantry with Hessian Grenadiers 2 Battalions and 1st, 3d & 4th Brigades British moved on at 5 o’clock a.m. to Crosswicks. Gen. Knyphausen with the Hessians and Gen. Grant with 2d Brigade British followed in another Column. Brig. Gen. Leslie with the 5th Brigade British and Yagers took the Bordentown Road. About a mile before we reached Crosswicks, information was received that the Rebels were making a show of resistance there, the 16th Dragoons flew to the place, and received the fire of about 500 Musquetry without loss. The Rebels had retired over the Bridge and destroyed it, which gave them an opportunity of getting off with safety, and prevented us pursuing them. During the firing across the Bridge and along the Creek, the Rangers behaved with their usual spirit. Capt. Stevenson of their Light Company unfortunately had a wound through his Breast, which it is thought will prove mortal – he was the only one we had hurt. There were three Rebels killed by our cannon which came up in good time to cover our workmen at the Bridge which when repaired, the Light Horse Rangers and 1st Battalion Light Infantry instantly crossed and pursued them two miles – but a Creek being in the way and the Rebels having taken up the Bridge were obliged to return with seven prisoners. This place is eight miles from where we started this morning, we halted here all night.
June 24 The Army marched in the before mentioned order to Allentown four miles. The Rebels had been here in the morning and tore up the Bridge, which retarded us a short time. The Light Horse and Infantry pursued them four miles, but could not come up with any number, and brought in a few straggler prisoners. Gen. Knyphausen’s Column encamped this night at and about Emlanstown, 3 miles distant. Gen. Leslies Brigade joined us here.
June 25 Gen. Clinton marched at 5 with his division and met Gen. Knyphausens Column having their ground on the Road to Freehold, which was the route of the whole Army. The Rebels had taken post near Brunswick and Amboy expecting us that way, but were outwitted by the march to a different quarter. Gen. Knyphausen moved and encamped on the border of Freehold Township, 13 miles in the van. Gen. Leslie followed and Gen. Clinton with the rear division halted at the Rising Sun, seven miles from Allentown.
Historically Speaking is a regular column presented by John Fabiano, president of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society. For information abou the historical society, call (609) 259-9127 or send e-mail to [email protected].