George Washington Heads to Rockingham

In June, 1778 Washington led his men from Valley Forge to Hopewell, NJ where he plots his battle in Monmouth. His chain of command is against the idea, but Washington goes ahead and instructs his advance troops to attack.

Washington’s second in command, Major General Charles Lee, was in charge of the attack, which he already disagreed with. Lee met with his men and failed to give them proper orders, which resulted in chaos and a tactical retreat.  

Washington came across the retreating men and relived Lee of duty sending him to the rear. Three separate times the British were held back until the Americans took the land in a battle that was a draw.

However, the Americans proved they could hold their own.  In the summer of 1783, the Continental Congress met in Nassau Hall in Princeton University, making Princeton the nation’s capitol for four months.

Upon hearing the Treaty of Paris had been signed, he retired to Rockingham and began to write his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States.

“With these Wishes, and this benediction, the Commander in Chief is about to retire from service--the curtain of separation will soon be drawn--and the Military Scene to him will be closed for ever.”