The Virginia Gazette

BALTIMORE, July 4, 1778.

Extract of a letter from His Excellency General WASHINGTON to General ARNOLD.

Philadelphia, dated in the fields, near Monmouth courthouse. June 28, 1778.

I have the honour to inform you, that about 7 o'clock yesterday morning both armies advanced one against the other. About 12 they met on the grounds near Monmouth courthouse when an action commenced. We forced the enemy from the field, and encamped on the ground. They took a strong post in our front, secured on both flanks by morasses and thick woods, where they remained until about 12 at night, and then retreated.

I cannot at this time go into a detail of matters. When opportunity permits, shall take the liberty of transmitting Congress a more particular account of the proceedings of the day.

A letter from General WASHINGTON's army, dated Monmouth courthouse, June 29, 1778.

The events of yesterday are too interesting not to make an account of them acceptable. About 3 o'clock in the morning the British army moved on their way to Middletown Point; as soon as we had intelligence of it, a picked corps, to form our van, moved also, and soon after our whole body. About 11 o'clock our advance overtook them, but they retreated, without engaging, and met us. We turned on the first proper piece of ground. While this was doing, two pieces of cannon, supported by Col. Livingston and Col. Stewart, with a picked corps of 30 men, kept off their main body, and made great slaughter. In the meantime our cannon were brought up, and the army formed; on which Col. Livingston retired in good order, bringing off the cannon. We were skirmishing then ensuing and our troops advancing, the enemy made their last efforts upon a small body of Pennsylvania troops, at and about Mr. Tennant's house. There was considerable slaughter on both sides; and our troops then advancing they gave way, leaving us the field covered with the dead and wounded. Our troops pursued for about a mile, when night coming on, and the men much fatigued with marching and hot weather, the troops advanced about half a mile beyond the ground of the principal action. About 11 o'clock they stole off, and we are informed that they are 6 miles from us. Our loss is not great; that of officers is much beyond the proportion of men. Col. Ramsay is cut off and made prisoner, but returned on parole. Lieut. Col. Bonner of Philadelphia is killed, and several subalterns of Stewart's detachment. Of the other troops we have lost three officers. The enemy left Col. Monckton and three other officers dead on the field, besides four others; and there are several wounded, in our hands, whose names and rank I do not know, nor are the number of prisoners, dead and wounded, on either side, yet ascertained.

Upon the whole, it has been a very fortunate day, and reflects great honour on the troops. Had we been sufficiently strong in cavalry, the success of the day would have been much more complete. I accompanied the General where I expected himself full as much as was proper. However, he happily received no harm.

Extract of a letter from head quarters. Monmouth county, Freehold courthouse. June 29, 1778.

We contested the ground with the flower of their army, their light infantry and grenadiers, with between 2 and 300 of our men. During the whole day our officers behaved with great bravery, covering and supporting each other with remarkable conduct and firmness. After beating them from every post they occupied, we remained masters of the field of battle in the evening.

They left in our hands, to our mercy and humanity, a number of officers and privates, in Freehold courthouse. Besides this, they carried off sixty waggons full of wounded. We have already found dead on the field about 200; but as the view has been cursory, there must be many more. Our loss is very inconsiderable.

Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated Wednesday July 1, 1778.

We have undoubted intelligence, that in the late battle of Monmouth, in New Jersey, the enemy have suffered to the amount of 1000 men, in killed, prisoners, and deserters.

Doctor Knox, of Baltimore, is among the prisoners. He was taken by Capt. Plunket, and immediately liberated on parole.

Col. Ramsay, of Baltimore, is slightly wounded, made prisoner, and admitted to his parole by the enemy.

P. S. Among the slain of the enemy are in all Gen. Clinton, Col. Hyde of the horse guards, Col. Monckton of the grenadiers, and Col. Abercrombie of the infantry, with many other officers of greatest distinction.