Monmouth Court House: The Battle that Made the American Army

by Joseph G. Bilby, Katherine Bilby Jenkins

Presents an analysis of the Battle of Monmouth and the entire campaign along with information on the commanders, personnel, organization, training, and weapons for both armies along with a look at the battle within the context of the American Revolution and the civil war between the Tories and Whigs in New Jersey.

Genres: American Revolution, American Revolutionary War, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2010

About the author

Joseph G. Bilby is Assistant Curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he served as a lieutenant in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He has received the Jane Clayton Award for contributions to Monmouth County (New Jersey) history and an Award of Merit from the New Jersey Historical Commission for his contributions to the state's military history.

Reviews

[Lee Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion the battle of Monmouth is among the most consequential events in the entire eight years of the American Revolution. I didn’t really understand that until I read this book. Washington’s army had, pretty much, gotten their tails whipped at every previous meeting with the British regulars.
Washington’s most important accomplishment in the war was just in keeping his army from dissolving. The Valley Forge winter was harsh but somehow the army began to become a seasoned, resilient and cohesive force. Perhaps it was the training introduced by Von Steuben. When the British marched out of Philadelphia the patriots pursued and brought them to battle. It cannot be overstated that at this battle the patriot army stood and fought tenaciously. It was not a decisive victory but for the first time the British saw that this enemy was never going to quit unless they were annihilated. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand how this transition took place.

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I grew up in New Jersey and have returned multiple times over the years, I have not visited the battlefield at Monmouth Court House. I have also read quite a few books on the American Revolution and all too often, little attention is given to this battle. That certainly is not the case with this book.

Bilby and Jenkins did a fantastic job describing the strife, violence, and civil war that occurred between the citizens of Monmouth County during the Revolution. This is also a topic that I have not read too much about. I enjoyed the chapters describing both the American and British armies; the tactics, training, and weapons; and then culminating in the actual battle itself.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in the American Revolution and/or the rich history of New Jersey.

[Matthew Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wanted to read more about the battle and the tactics involved. A lot about the county and soldiers but not so much on the battle itself. Overall a good book but not one I would recommend for someone who wants to learn about the battle itself and all the events surrounding it.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read so far on the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse in Freehold, NJ. The battle took place on June 28, 1778 and was one of the last major battles of the Revolutionary War in the north. As Bilby and Jenkins demonstrate, the Continental Army's professionalism and conduct following their winter training stint at Valley Forge was amply rewarded in this battle, where troop movements and discipline were vastly improved. The Continentals went up against the best of the British Army in America and managed to fight the battle to a draw, which in many ways was a victory for the Americans.

The book does a very good job covering local history. It was fun to read this book while living in Tinton Falls, NJ and I appreciated the larger look into the ways the war brought the conflict between Loyalist and Patriot to a head. It's remarkable how much blood was shed during (what looks like) a civil war playing out amongst the populace. In addition to covering the campaign which led to the battle, as well as the battle itself, Bilby and Jenkins include lots of details on units and arms, on the relationship between Washington and Charles Lee, and on the subsequent development of the battle in the national imagination. There are some nice illustration included in the book though a noticeable shortage of battle maps make it necessary to read the chapter on the battle with a map from the internet in front of you. Otherwise, unless you have a deeper knowledge (already) of troop movements in the battle, the action might be difficult to follow from the narrative. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of great maps online, but one can make out alright.

I also appreciate the discussion of how the current battlefield park was generated. There is a rich bibliography in the end of the book if the reader wants to dive in deeper.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle itself is covered very well, along with the strategic situation in the middle colonies by the time of the battle.

However, the first two chapters (nearly a third of the book) is mostly a general account of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey and Monmouth County up to June 1778. Personally, I didn't see the direct connection this had on the battle itself. Also, much of chapters two and three were about the armies and weapons in general, with little having to do specifically with the battle (for example, there was a paragraph explaining the origin of the term "Brown Bess"). An order of battle would have also been helpful.

[Chris Kostenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A close look at Monmouth Court House and the people who lived in the surrounding area, torries and patriots, and at the animosities that grew between the two parties. Some new insights on Charles Lee and some comments on Molly Pitcher.