MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD
Tennant, Manalpan Township, Monmouth County, NJ
Owl Haven Nature Center of the New Jersey Audubon Society (off Route 522)
1,520 acres
Location: Manalapan
Phone: 908-462-9616

Directions:

From NJ-9, take the Throckmorton Exit (about 0.75 mile north of NJ-333) and go west on NJ-522 about one mile to the entrance to Owl Haven.

You can stop at the visitor center, Owl Haven, a nature and raptor rehabilitation center run by the New Jersey Audubon Society.

History:

Monmouth refers to Rhode Island Monmouth Society, settlers.

On these grounds, the largest battle of the Revolutionary War was fought in June 1778. Every year, the Battle of Monmouth is reenacted, and a map at the park's visitor center shows the various movements of the British and American forces during the battle. The park comprises of 1500 acres, with visitor center exhibits, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a nature center.

On June 18, 1778, British troops abandoned Philadelphia and marched toward New York. The following day, General Washington and his Continental Army left Valley Forge to harass the British.

Fighting ensued on the morning of June 28, with an American assault on the rear guard of the British encampment by Freehold-Mount Holly Road. Eventually driven back, the Americans began a delaying action as the Continental Army regrouped.

The battle resumed around 12:30. The British Grenadiers pushed forward, but the Americans fell back to a strong position, and the British movement collapsed. The British then brought forth a battery of artillery and, met by the Continental Army's own cannon, engaged in what would be the largest artillery battle of the War. In brief, the British were forced to retreat. At this time, General Washington directed further attacks, driving the British across the Dividing Brook. Though Washington planned another attack the following morning, the British broke camp that night and continued their march to New York.

The Battle was an American triumph. The British troops had been forced to retreat, and their casualties were much greater than those of American troops. Today visitors can enjoy a Self-Guided Tour of this historic area, beginning at the Visitors Center. An interpretive display, slide shows, and a fiber optic map interpret the Battle, and a number of artifacts recovered from the site are exhibited.

From the battlefield website: http://www.fieldtrip.com/nj/84629616.htm

Habitats:

There is a corn field here and McGellaird's Brook

Hiking:

A marked trail begins behind the nature center. In total there are twenty-five miles of trails. Maps are available at the visitor center. Owl Haven Nature Center: Operated by the New Jersey Audubon Society, Owl Haven features natural history exhibits, live animals, and mounted specimens. The trails surrounding the Center allow the viewing of various wildlife species, including numerous birds such as the red-tailed hawk, kestrels, bluebirds, and great horned owls.

PLANT LIST:
Prunus serotina (black cherry)
Juniperus virginiana (red cedar)
Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)
Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy)