When Heat Fights Back: The Battle of Monmouth, 1778

(Photo Credit: worldatlas.com)

Discussion: On June 28, 1778, General George Washington led the Continental Army in an attack against the British Army at the Battle of Monmouth in Monmouth County, New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War. In May of 1778, British troops, led by General Sir Henry Clinton, began evacuating from Philadelphia to New York, traveling over land through New Jersey. The Continental Army saw this as a perfect opportunity to strike. Ultimately, this battle ended in a draw as the Continental Army was able to hold the field, but the British were still able to escape to New York. However, this battle is considered a significant battle in the American Revolutionary War, as the Continental Army was able to hold its own against what was considered one of the best armies in the world. Additionally, this battle holds significance in weather history due to the impact heat may have had on the number of casualties in this battle.

The weather conditions during this historical battle were less than favorable with extreme heat prevailing throughout the day. For much of the duration of the battle, temperatures were said to have exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. To put this in perspective, heat stroke can occur when your internal body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures in addition to physical exertion can raise your internal body temperature. According to some accounts, an American woman named Mary Hays heroically traversed the battlefield through the rain of musket balls and cannonballs just to bring water to over-heated soldiers. She was even said to have taken her husband’s place at the cannons after he collapsed on the field. Unfortunately, many deaths from this battle were attributed to heat stroke. Some accounts report that the extreme heat may have taken more lives than musket fire. It is hard to say whether the weather influenced the overall result of this battle, but it is clear that the high temperatures on this day did make the conditions of battle that much harder.

To learn more about other past historic weather events from around the world, be sure to click here!

©2018 Meteorologist Stephanie Edwards

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