Overview
The Friends of Monmouth Battlefield present their Second Sunday Lecture Series for 2024 at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center auditorium at 2 p.m. The lecture series is open to the public and admission is free.
Lectures will be presented by award winning author and Friends of Monmouth Battlefield President, Dr. David Martin. Dr. Martin is the author of over 20 books on the Revolutionary War and Civil War, including two award winning books on Gettysburg, “Gettysburg, July 1” (1995) and “New Jersey at Gettysburg Guidebook” (2012), and is co-author of the seminal study “Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg” (1982). His Revolutionary War titles include “The Philadelphia Campaign” (1993) and “A Molly Pitcher Sourcebook” (2003), which is the only full-length hard cover book study of the heroine of Monmouth.
Apr. 14, 2024 | “George Washington’s Sense of Humor”
George Washington is remembered as a strong leader but is usually thought to be stoic and emotionless. He actually had quite a temper as well as a genuine sense of humor. Dr. Martin will discuss how Washington’s image as a “marble man” was created and came to be accepted.
May 12, 2024 | “British Commanders and Leadership at Monmouth”
This lecture discusses the battle plan of British commander General Sir Henry Clinton, which is not well understood today. It also discusses the leadership roles of Clinton’s primary subordinate commanders, including General Charles Cornwallis (who in 1781 commanded the British army that surrendered at Yorktown).
Jun. 9, 2024 | “General Charles Lee at Monmouth: Hero, Scapegoat or Scoundrel?”
The single most controversial officer at the Battle of Monmouth was General Charles Lee, Washington’s second-in-command. Lee really didn’t want to fight the battle and then ended up leading the American attack that morning. His actions led him to be court martialed and removed from command. Did he really disobey orders? Or did he actually save the day?
Jul. 14, 2024 | “Camp Vredenburg: The Civil War Training Camp near Freehold, and its Regiments”
Aug. 11, 2024 | “Biggest Mistakes at Monmouth”
Sept. 8, 2024| “They were Everywhere: Generals Anthony Wayne and the Marquis de Lafayette at Monmouth.”
Oct. 13, 2024 | “Washington’s Staff Officers at Monmouth: The Big Wigs and the Little Wags”
Nov. 10, 2024 | “Unsung Heroes at the Battle of Monmouth”
Dec. 8, 2024 | “Newest Plans and Doings at Monmouth Battlefield State Park”
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