ld on the 24th of June, however, a proposal was carried
to strengthen the detachment which had got on the left flank of the
British, and 1500 picked men were thrown in the direction specified. At
the same time, Washington secretly determined to bring on a more general
engagement, in spite of the majority of the council-of-war, if possible.
He did this to his own cost on the 28th of June. On that day the British
having arrived at a place called Freehold Court-house, near Monmouth, a
vigorous attack was made on their baggage by a detachment under General
Lee, the deserter, who had been previously exchanged, and was again
actively employed in the American service. This attack, however, was
expected, and the detachment was bravely repulsed. The British light
troops impetuously pursued the fugitives, until they were met and
rallied by Washington himself. The pursuers were now in danger, and to
prevent their being cut off, Sir Henry Clinton was compelled to maintain
his position under a severe cross-fire, after which he withdrew to his
former position. His loss in killed and wounded was about three hundred
and sixty men, many of whom had expired through excessive heat and
fatigue without receiving a wound. The enemy's loss was still greater,
and as little more than half of Clinton's army was with him, it seems to
have convinced Washington that it would be folly to attack the British
forces in a general engagement. It is said, indeed, that he lay that
night in the midst of his soldiers, ready to renew the contest next
morning, had not his opponents thought proper to retire. But it is
evident that Washington was aware of the continued retreat of the
British, and yet he did not venture to follow a step further. He had
expected a triumph and had met with a check, and though he boasted to
congress that he would have followed if Clinton had not moved off in
silence and secresy, and before he had any idea of his departure, yet
he had already determined to hasten to the Hudson by another route, in
order to join an army collected by General Gates, and to give up the
pursuit! Congress also acted as inconsistently as Washington. They
celebrated the affair of Freehold Court-house as a great and glorious
victory, although it must have appeared clear to them that Washington
had been checked, if not actually defeated. Clinton reached New York
in safety on the 5th of July, where he found Lord Howe with his fleet.
Washington took up his positio