The Lady of the Blended Rose: "If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy."

During planning sessions Lee had advised Washington that the army should wait for French reinforcements to arrive before attacking a British main force. It has since been claimed that Lee at Monmouth never intended to do anything more than to reconnoiter as he did not think that Continentals could stand against British regulars. In any event, he found a lightly protected part of the train and was performing an elaborate maneuver to encircle defenders when British General Charles Earl Cornwallis appeared. He then called for a retreat on his right without notifying the left flank or anyone else including Washington. The unit on the left discovering that they were jeopardized by the retreat on their right also began a hasty retreat. Some of the retreating forces linked up with "Mad" Allen Lawrence who had taken up a position behind a thick hedge. From this position they threw off a cavalry attack, followed by three fierce assaults by British grenadiers. The main patriot force appeared later; Washington after receiving a 'Dispatch from, "The Lady of the Blended Rose' dressed as a man soldier, outlining Clinton's plan of escape, and finding the advance force in disorderly retreat, was furious and immediately ordered Lee to the rear. Forming a line of battle Washington charged into the fray, rallying the retreating troops as he went forward into the battle. The disorderly retreat had been the result of lack of leadership by General Lee but given leadership by Washington von Steuben's training paid off as the Continentals turned to fight. The battle raged on for hours in sweltering heat that may have killed more men from heatstroke than battle wounds. While Cornwallis battled with Washington in the rear the wagon train was moving steadily on leaving the battle behind. As the day waned and light began to fade Cornwallis began an orderly retreat with three brigades of Continentals pressing him on until darkness fell. The battle was over and more than 200 men in the two armies had died of heat or exhaustion on that hot and steamy day. Total losses were 358 British, 360 Americans, with the Americans reporting the burial of 249 British dead who were left on the battlefield. The battle may have been a draw; neither side actually victorious but it was an important lesson for the Continentals; given competent training and leadership an American made a first class fighting man. The army had been blooded in battle and found solid as a rock! From now on militia might run before British bayonets but Continentals would stand and fight! The army was jubilant - they had met the British and driven them from the field - they had fit the fight and won!