The Great Cannonade

For several long, hot, and exhausting hours during the afternoon of June 28, 1778, the largest land artillery battle of the American Revolution raged at the Battle of Monmouth. The climax took place here when, for almost three hours, ten Continental guns positioned on this hill fired upon British guns along the hedgerow on the hill in front. The rain of shot and shell terrorized and astounded infantry on both sides. Colonel Shreve wrote that the cannonade was heavier than ever known in the field, with cannonballs flying plentifully. While British shot spattered mud on General Washington’s uniform and his staff tried to get him to move, Washington calmly stood in his stirrups watching his artillery pound the Royal Highlanders. The Continental artillery finally won the engagement when four additional guns were positioned on Combs Hill to attack the British left flank. Caught in crossfire from the Continental guns, the British artillery withdrew, quickly followed by the British infantry.

New Jersey · United States