receiving intelligence that sir Henry was proceeding in that direction towards Monmouth Court House, dispatched 1000 men, under general Wayne; and sent the marquis de la Fayette to take command of the advanced corps, with orders to seize the first fair opportunity of attacking the enemy's rear. General Lee, who, as before stated, having been lately exchanged, and had joined the army, was offered this command, but he declined it, as he was in principle against hazarding an attack. The whole army followed at a proper distance for supporting the advanced corps, and reached Cranberry the next morning. Sir Henry Clinton, sensible of the approach of the Americans, placed his grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs, in the rear, and the baggage in the front. Washington increased his advanced corps with two brigades, and sent general Lee, who now wished for the command, to take charge of the whole, and followed himself with the main army to give it support. On the next morning, orders were sent forwards to Lee," to move on and attack, unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." When Washington had marched about five miles, he found the advanced corps retreating, by Lee's orders, without having made any opposition

opposition of consequence. Washington rode up to Lee, and proposed certain questions to him, which implied censure; Lee answered with warmth and unsuitable language. The commander in chief ordered colonel Stewart's and lieutenant-colonel Ramsay's battalions to form on a piece of ground which he judged suitable for giving a check to the advancing enemy. Lee was then asked, if he would command on that ground, to which he consented, and was ordered to take proper measures for checking the enemy; to which he replied, "Your orders shall be obeyed, and I will not be the first to leave the field." Washington then rode to the main army, which was formed with the utmost expedition. A warm cannonade immediately commenced between the British and American artillery, and a heavy firing between the advanced troops of the British army and the two battalions which general Washington had halted. These stood their ground till they were intermixed with a part of the British army. General Lee continued till the last on the field of battle, and brought off the rear of the retreating troops.

The check the British received, gave time to make a disposition of the left wing and second line of the American army in the

wood, and on the eminence to which Lee was retreating. On this some cannon were placed by lord Stirling, who commanded the left wing, which, with the co-operation of some parties of infantry, effectually stopped the advance of the British in that quarter. General Greene took a very advantageous position on the right of lord Stirling. The British attempted to turn the left flank of the Americans, but were repulsed. They also made a movement to the right, with as little success, for Greene, with artillery, disappointed their design. Wayne advanced with a body of troops, and kept up so severe and well directed a fire, that the British were soon compelled to give way. They retired, and took the position which Lee had before occupied. Washington resolved to attack them, and ordered general Poor to move round upon their right, and general Woodford to their left, but they could not get within reach before it was dark. These remained on the ground which they had been directed to occupy during the night, with an intention of attacking early next morning, and the main body lay on their arms in the field, to be ready for supporting them. General Washington reposed himself in his cloak under a tree, in hopes of renewing the action the

next day. But these hopes were frustrated— the British troops marched away in the night. in such silence, that general Poor, though he was very near them, knew nothing of their departure. They left behind them four of ficers and about forty privates, all so badly wounded, that they could not be removed. Their other wounded were carried off.

The British pursued their march without further interruption, and soon reached the neighbourhood of Sandy Hook, without the loss of either their covering party or baggage. The American general declined all farther pursuit of the royal army, and soon after drew off his troops to the borders of the North river. The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded was about 250; that of the royal army, inclusive of prisoners, about 350.

It is probable that Washington intended to take no farther notice of Lee's conduct in the day of action; but the latter could not brook the expressions used by the former, at their first meeting, and wrote him two passionate letters. This occasioned his being arrested and brought to trial. The charges exhibited against him were-

First, for disobedience of orders, in not attacking the enemy on the 28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions.

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Secondly,

Secondly, for misbehaviour before the enemy on the same day, by making an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. Thirdly, for disrespect to the commander in chief, in two letters.

After a tedious hearing before a court martial, Lee was found guilty, and sentenced to be suspended from any command in the armies of the United States for one year; but the second charge was softened by the court martial, who, in their award, found him guilty of misbehaviour before the enemy, by making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a disorderly retreat,

When congress was informed of these events, they resolved, unanimously," that their thanks be given to general Washington, for the activity with which he marched from the camp at Valley Forge, in pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the line of battle; and for his great good conduct in leading on the attack, and gaining the battle of Monmouth, over the British grand army under sir Henry Clinton, in their march from Philadelphia to New York."

Soon after the battle of Monmouth, Washington took post at the White Plains, and remained in their vicinity till autumn was far advanced,