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
Marquis de Lafayette
1778
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton
1778
Sir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis
1778
Sir Henry Clinton
1778
Sir Henry Clinton, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
George Washington, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne
1778
Charles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington
1778
1778
George Washington, Charles Lee, Sir Henry Clinton
1778
Mary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)
1778
George Washington, Charles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette
1778
Mary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)
1778
Marquis de Lafayette, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne
1778
George Washington, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
Charles Cornwallis, Anthony Wayne, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
1778
Alexander Hamilton, George Washington
1778
George Washington, Anthony Wayne, Alexander Hamilton
1778
Sir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis
1778
Charles Lee, George Washington, Anthony Wayne
1779
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben