“In front in the splendid uniform of a lieutenant-colonel, is their commander, Henry Monckton, the Viscount Galway’s son, waving his sword and calling on the grenadiers to “charge.” They have swept through the open field, they have passed the hedge-row, they have begun to descend the slope beyond, their paces quicken, the front rank has almost reached the barn- the whole column is in full charge. There is a moment of suspense. And then, with a crash, a sheet of flame from Parsonage and barn and fence and orchard leaps forth to meet them, and in an instant a dense cloud of smoke has hidden them from view. A moment later the cloud has broken, and here and there glimpses can be seen of men in deadly combat- red-coated grenadiers and yeomen in shirt-sleeves mixed in inextricable confusion. See as the smoke lifts, Wayne’s men have leaped the fence coat-less, their sleeves rolled up, and dashed into the mêlée, and yonder in the hollow of the field they are fighting hand to hand with bayonet thrust and clubbed guns over a lifeless body. It is his who a moment ago cheered on his men to victory- his breast bloody with wounds, his scarlet coat stained and torn as the fight rages about him. Now his men press forward, and again are driven back, as the Americans from barn and orchard throw themselves headlong into the struggle. The cracking of the musketry is incessant- the cries of the combatants can be heard, and all the while, above the din, the guns upon the heights keep up “the heaviest cannonading ever heard in America.” And now beyond the rim of smoke the grenadiers are falling back in groups to-gether, broken and confused. The Americans have Monckton’s body and are driving his men before them in retreat. Back up the sloping field- through the broken hedge-row- across the open ground- toward the woods beyond, faster and faster go the British-in confused mass, their ranks broken- their battalions shattered- their leader killed! At last-at last- in open ground and hand to hand the ragged rebels have withstood and beaten the British grenadiers!”
From: The Battle of Monmouth; an oration
Composed to be delivered at Freehold, New Jersey on June 28, 1878: the one hundredth anniversary of the battle.
by Henry Armitt Brown
https://archive.org/details/battleofmonmouth01brow/page/86/mode/1up?view=theater
Source says not in copyright
Image: The Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 28, 1778 via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions
“That memorable Sunday, the 28th of June, 1778, was the hottest day of the year. The heat was so great that the soldiers were ordered to take off their coats, yet through the heat and dust and smoke and blood, Molly, the gunner’s wife, carried water to her husband and the soldiers on the field, all day. The little spring from which she fetched the water was at the bottom of the hill, and, instead of a pail, she brought it in a pitcher. This, most probably, was the origin of her name, “Molly Pitcher,” among the soldiers, a name that from that day has become historic.
There had been a fierce charge of the enemy’s
cavalry on Hays’ gun, and just as she was returning
with a refreshing draught for the almost perishing
men, she saw her husband fall mortally wounded.
Rushing forward she heard an officer say, “Wheel
back the gun; there’s no one here to serve it.”
Checking the blinding rush of tears, Molly threw
down her pitcher and seized the rammer of the gun. “I’ll fire it,” she said, and taking her place beside the dead gunner’s cannon she filled his place during the rest of the day. The story of the brave deed has been told in verse:
“Wheel back the gun!” the gunner said,
When like a flash before him stood
A figure dashed with smoke and blood,
With streaming hair, with eyes aflame,
With lips that falter the gunner’s name,
“Wheel back his gun that never yet,
His fighting duty did forget?
His voice shall speak though he be dead,
“I’ll serve my husband’s gun! ‘ she said.
Oh, Molly, Molly, with eyes so blue,
Oh, Molly, Molly, here’s to you!
Sweet Honor’s roll will aye be richer.
To hold the name of Molly Pitcher!”
From: American heroes and heroines
by Pauline Carrington Rust Bouvé, published in 1905
https://archive.org/details/americanheroeshe00bouv/page/124
*while some of the details in the account above are considered folklore and a combination of different women in American history, the story does provide perspective of the great obstacles that our young nation faced to gain Liberty during the time of the Revolution. Yes, the Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey) did take place on today’s date June 28, 1778.
Image: Molly Pitcher firing cannon at Battle of Monmouth by E. Percy Moran
via Library of Congress, no known restrictions
President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson arriving at the Chateau of Versailles in Paris, France, for the signing of the Peace Treaty
– June 28, 1919
via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Founding Father and fourth U.S. President, James Madison, passed away on June 28, 1836 at the age of 85.
His last words were:
“Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear.”
One of Benjamin Franklin’s most famous speeches was delivered on June 28, 1787, during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Franklin, then 81 years old, rose to propose that the delegates begin each day’s meeting with prayer, amid escalating tensions and stalled discussions over state representation. He acknowledged the Convention’s struggles and urged his fellow delegates to seek divine guidance, saying, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.” He proposed inviting clergy to offer prayer at the start of each session. Though the motion was seconded, it was never formally voted on—some delegates objected due to concerns about public perception or the lack of funds to hire a chaplain. Still, Franklin’s appeal became a defining moment, symbolizing both his wisdom and the gravity of the Convention’s task.
A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM-1C Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) takes off from the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) for a raid on Guam, June 28, 1944.
U.S. Navy photo via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
“Indian Princess invites President Grand Council Washington D.C. June 28. Dressed in full regalia, Princess White Deer, extended an invitation to President Roosevelt at the White House today to attend the Six Nations Iroquis Grand Indian Council July 5 at St. Regis Reservation. The Princess; who is shown with Presidential Secretary Marvin H. McIntyre said the Indian powwow will be the first time Iroquis Indians have held their council since pre-revolutionary days.”
6/28/1937
via Library of Congress, no known restrictions
On June 28, 1896 an immense cave-in occurred at the Newton Coal Company mine in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
The cause was mostly due to improper supports that also weren’t reinforced properly. It was determined that fifty-eight miners were killed in the tragedy, despite what the heading of this image says.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Assistant engineers at headquarters, Army of Potomac in 1864
Less than a year later, on June 28, 1865, the Army of the Potomac was disbanded.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
A Scene of Spectacle and Strain – Featured in Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion (June 28, 1851), this engraving captures the hoisting of a circus elephant onto a steamboat. Once celebrated as a marvel of logistics and showmanship, the image now underscores a shift from public fascination to ethical reconsideration in how animals were used for spectacle.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Born June 28, 1932 Noriyuki “Pat” Morita had a challenging childhood, spending years at a Shiner’s hospital with spinal tuberculosis and interned at two camps during WW2. His success as a standup comic led to television and film roles like Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid series and as Arnold (shown here) on Happy Days.
Image from ABC Television via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.
Happy birthday to comedy genius Mel Brooks who was born on June 28, 1926.
Brooks has had a hand in Your Show of Shows and Get Smart! on TV, and films like Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, and Robin Hood: Men In Tights.
His marriage to Anne Bancroft lasted over 40 years.
Image of Mel Brooks at 17 via Alamy
Launch of the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Tisdale (DE-33) at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA)
On June 28, 1943, the USS Tisdale (DE-33) was launched as a tribute to Commander Ryland D. Tisdale, who was killed in action during the defense of Corregidor in 1942. Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, Tisdale’s courage and leadership were carried forward by the destroyer escort that bore his name, later earning four battle stars for service in the Pacific during World War II.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.
