Monmouth Battlefield Second Sunday Lecture Series

We are pleased to announce a second season for the popular “Second Sunday” lecture series presented by FOMB. Lectures are given at 2 PM on the second Sunday of each month at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center by Dr. David Martin, President of FOMB. Dr. Martin is the author of over 20 books on the Revolutionary War and Civil War, including two award-winning books on Gettysburg. He is also the author of “A Molly Pitcher Sourcebook” (2003),

Lectures are free and no reservations /tickets are required.

Feb. 9, 2025 | “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.

Mar. 9, 2025 | “Alternate Molly Pitchers”
Dr. Martin will explain how the Molly Pitcher story grew over time and will present the different women with whom she has been identified.

Apr. 13, 2025 | “Abraham Lincoln’s Sense of Humor”
President Lincoln was a serious humorist who used humor help explain his positions, to deflect criticism, and to help himself deal with his own melancholy. Dr. Martin will tell Lincoln’s favorite jokes and then explain them. He will also discuss Lincoln’s slim connections to the Garden State, which was the only state in the Union to cast electoral votes against the Great Emancipator in both presidential elections in 1860 and 1864.

May 11, 2025 | “George Washington as a Field Commander”
This lecture will explore General Washington’s strengths and weaknesses as a field commander during the Revolution, with special attention to his decisions at the battle of Monmouth. During the war he only won four battles – it was a wonder that he managed to keep his command.

June 8, 2025 | “The Court Martial of Major General Charles Lee”
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? This lecture will review the course and progress of his Court Martial case, with attention to the actual charges and the specific evidence given by the witnesses.

July 13, 2025 | “The 14th New Jersey Infantry at Camp Vredenburg and Beyond”
It is not well known that there was a Civil War training camp from 1862-1864 just outside of Freehold, within the present boundaries of Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Dr. Martin confirmed its location in a study that he did for the State some 40 years ago. This talk will discuss the history and location of the camp, known as Camp Vredenburg, and the history and battles of the most famous regiment that trained there, the 14th New Jersey Infantry.

August 10, 2025 | “British Strategy at Monmouth: What Went Wrong”
This lecture will explore British goals for both the campaign and the battle of Monmouth. Specifically, it will examine how the British won the morning part of the battle but then were unable to come away with a complete victory. Was the battle for them a victory, a draw or a defeat?

September 14, 2025 | “American Artillery in Action at Monmouth”
This lecture will present the results of a new study of the structure and role of the American artillery units at Monmouth. Much of the course of the battle was dictated by where and when artillery units were posted. Significant artillery actions and commanders will be presented, including the important role of the head American Artillery officer, Major General Henry Knox, in the battle.

The different types of cannons used will also be discussed.

October 12, 2025 | “Treatment of Casualties and Burial of the Dead at Monmouth”
A famous general once said, “the only thing more ugly than a defeated battlefield is a victorious one.” After the battle, the field was strewn was hundreds of dead and wounded from both sides. This lecture will explore how the wounded were treated and where, how and when the dead bodies were buried. You will be surprised to learn that most of the soldiers killed in the battle are still on the field.

November 9, 2025 |“Famous British Units at Monmouth”
This lecture will explore the leadership and actions of the most famous British units in the battle: the Guards, Grenadiers, Black Watch, Light Infantry, and Dragoons.

December 14, 2025 | “The 28th New Jersey at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862”
The 28th New Jersey Infantry was one of three Union regiments raised and trained on ground now within Monmouth Battlefield State Park during the summer of 1862. This lecture will present the story of two soldiers from central New Jersey who trained at Camp Vredenburg and then became casualties at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862.