ook the field in hopes to dislodge Wayne from this advantageous position. To break Wayne would mean to break through the lines, and, hence, win the battle for the British. The Grenadiers were a famed fighting unit and the very sight of them struck fear into the heart of the average American soldier. General Wayne, however, was not average. As Monckton, the commander of the famed fighting force, gave his speech to his men, Wayne allowed his men to hear every word. Truly, Monckton’s word set a fire, but not the one he had hoped. It has been said that his words did more for the American morale than they had ever done for the British. Sheltered and concealed in the barns and outbuildings, Wayne gave word to his troops to not fire until he gave the command, not a second before. After his speech, Monckton gave the command, and the British began to surge forward in a dead sprint .The rush was met with little more than a withering fire, until Wayne gave the word. As the British were mere paces away, they were met by a volley of American musket fire, followed by a charge of Wayne’s men. Monckton fell, and with him two other officers and two full-score of men. The British line “…faltered, wavered, halted, and finally, fell back. ” Quickly rallied by their officers, however, they charged forth to avenge their dead, only to be met by an equally eager force of Americans. They gave charge for charge and blow for blow. As they met, some Americans were said to have become so engrossed in the passion of the fight that they “…cast away there weapons to clutch a foeman at the throat with bare constrictive hands. ” The Grenadiers were thus thrown back, and the proud neck of the British was forcibly bent to the eager young Americans. At this point, it was apparent that a British victory was not to be had, and Clinton ordered a full retreat back to where Lee had fled earlier in the day. Here, strengthened by th...
