About This Place
The Hedgerow was a fence line and tree row within the Monmouth battlefield that served as a critical defensive position for the Continental Army during the afternoon engagement on June 28, 1778. Anthony Wayne's brigade and other units used this terrain feature to anchor their defense against repeated British counterattacks.
Revolutionary Significance
After Washington reformed the American line following Lee's retreat, the Hedgerow became one of the anchoring positions of the new defensive line. Wayne's troops, along with other Continental units, used the cover provided by the fence line and vegetation to deliver disciplined volleys into advancing British formations. The British launched several determined assaults against this position, including attacks by grenadier battalions and the Brigade of Guards — elite formations that had rarely been stopped by American troops in earlier engagements. The Hedgerow's defense was one of the most significant tactical achievements of the battle, demonstrating the effectiveness of Steuben's training program. Today, interpretive markers along the park's trail system identify the Hedgerow position and explain its role in the battle.
Location
Within Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, NJ 07726
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Events at This Location
1778
Franco-American Alliance AnnouncedMarquis de Lafayette
1778
Valley Forge Training Tested at MonmouthFriedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton
1778
British March from Philadelphia to New YorkSir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis
1778
New Jersey Militia Harasses British MarchSir Henry Clinton
1778
Continental Army Departs Valley ForgeSir Henry Clinton, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
War Council at HopewellGeorge Washington, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne
1778
Lee Demands Advance CommandCharles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington
1778
1778
Battle of MonmouthGeorge Washington, Charles Lee, Sir Henry Clinton
1778
Molly Pitcher at the CannonMary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)
1778
Washington Confronts Lee on the BattlefieldGeorge Washington, Charles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette
1778
Heat Casualties at MonmouthMary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)
1778
Lee's Retreat at MonmouthMarquis de Lafayette, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne
1778
Artillery Duel at MonmouthGeorge Washington, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
British Grenadier Attacks RepulsedCharles Cornwallis, Anthony Wayne, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
Hamilton's Horse Shot at MonmouthAlexander Hamilton, George Washington
1778
Washington Reforms the American LineGeorge Washington, Anthony Wayne, Alexander Hamilton
1778
British Night Withdrawal After MonmouthSir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis
1778
Court-Martial of Charles LeeCharles Lee, George Washington, Anthony Wayne
1779
Steuben's Blue Book PublishedFriedrich Wilhelm von Steuben