Charles Lee

Charles Lee (February 6, 1732 – October 2, 1782) was a British soldier turned Virginia planter who was a Major General of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. Download high resolution version (1093x1403, 368 KB)Engraving of Charles Lee, from the 18th century. ... Download high resolution version (1093x1403, 368 KB)Engraving of Charles Lee, from the 18th century. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 23 - First performance of Handels Orlando, in London June 9 - James Oglethorpe is granted a royal charter for the colony of Georgia. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... This article is about military actions only. ...

Lee was born in Cheshire, England, the son of General John Lee and Isabella Bunbury (daughter of Sir Henry Bunbury, 3rd Baronet). {Allegedly Charles Lee was a 1st cousin seven times over of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley}. By the age of twelve, he was already commissioned as an ensign in the British Army. Lee served under Major General Edward Braddock in the French and Indian War along with fellow officers George Washington, Thomas Gage, and Horatio Gates. During this time in America, he married the daughter of a Mohawk Indian chief. From the Mohawks he received the bynames "Boiling Waters" and "The Spirit That Never Sleeps." He then went back to Europe to serve as a colonel under Major General John Burgoyne in Portugal and Poland. He moved up quickly: he was next commissioned as an aide-de-camp with the rank of Major General under the Polish king Stanislaus II. Upon returning to Britain, he was not wanted in the army, and so he moved back to the colonies in 1773. For other uses, see Cheshire (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Sir Henry Bunbury, 3rd Baronet (29 November 1676 – 12 February 1733) was a British politician. ... Sir Henry Lee by Antonis Mor, 1568. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General Edward Braddock General Edward Braddock (1695? – July 13, 1755) was a British soldier and commander-in-chief for North America during the actions at the start of the French and Indian War. ... Combatants France First Nations allies: Algonquin Lenape Wyandot Ojibwa Ottawa Shawnee Great Britain American Colonies Iroquois Confederacy Strength 3,900 regulars 7,900 militia 2,200 natives (1759) 50,000 regulars and militia (1759) Casualties 3,000 killed, wounded or captured 10,040 killed, wounded or captured The French and... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ... Sir Thomas Gage (1719 – April 2, 1787) was a British general and commander in chief of the North American forces from 1763 to 1775 during the early days of the American Revolution. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the people known as Mohawk. For other uses, see Mohawk. ... General John Burgoyne (February 24, 1722 – August 4, 1792) was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. ... For other persons named Stanisław Poniatowski, see Stanisław Poniatowski. ... Year 1773 (MDCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...

When it started to look like war was inevitable, he volunteered his services to the colonies. He expected to be named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, being the most experienced candidate. On the other hand, he was born in Britain, somewhat eccentric, slovenly in appearance, coarse in language, and perhaps most of all, he wanted to be paid: by joining the rebellion, he forfeited all his properties in England, and wanted to be compensated. Washington, on the other hand, was sober, steady, calm, and best of all, would work without pay, asking only that the Continental Congress should cover his expenses. Washington also was a good political choice: a southern commander to pair with a primarily New England fighting force. Washington received the appointment, and Lee was offered the subordinate rank of Major General. Lee was often considered second in command of the colonial forces, although Artemas Ward, who was not in good health, officially held this position. Commander-in-Chief (in NATO-lingo often C-in-C or CINC pronounced sink) is the commander of all the military forces within a particular region or of all the military forces of a state. ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... Artemas Ward (November 26, 1727 – October 28, 1800) was an American Major General in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts. ...

Lee also received various other titles: in 1776, he was named Commander of the Canadian Department, although he never got to serve in this capacity. Instead, he was appointed as the first Commander of the Southern Department. He served in this post for six months, until he was recalled to the main army. Year 1776 (MDCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Southern Department was a former department of the government of England and later the United Kingdom. ...

Toward the end of 1776, Lee's animosity for Washington began to show. During the retreat from Forts Washington and Lee, he dawdled with his army, and intensified a letter campaign to convince various Congress members that he should replace Washington as Commander-in-Chief. Around this time, Washington accidentally opened a letter from Lee to Colonel Reed, in which Lee condemns Washington's leadership and abilities, and blames Washington entirely for the dire straits of the army. Although his army was supposed to join that of Washington's in Pennsylvania, Lee set a very slow pace. On the night of December 12, Lee and a dozen of his guard inexplicably stopped for the night at White's Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, some three miles from his main army. The next morning, a British patrol of two dozen mounted soldiers found Lee writing letters in his dressing gown, and captured him. Among the British Patrol was Banastre Tarleton. Lee was eventually regained by colonial forces in exchange for General Richard Prescott. Map of Basking Ridge ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) Basking Ridge is an unincorporated area located in Central Northern New Jersey within Bernards Township in the Somerset Hills region of Somerset County, New Jersey. ... Lieutenant-Colonel Banastre Tarleton by Sir Joshua Reynolds Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet (August 21, 1754–January 25, 1833) was a British soldier and politician. ... Richard Prescott (1725-1788) was a British soldier, and a general during the American Revolutionary War. ...

Lee is most infamous for his actions during the Battle of Monmouth. Washington ordered him to attack the retreating enemy, but instead Lee ordered a retreat. He retreated directly into Washington and his troops, who were advancing, and Washington dressed him down publicly. Lee responded with "inappropriate language," was arrested, and shortly thereafter court-martialed. Lee was found guilty and relieved of command for a period of one year. Combatants United States of America Great Britain Commanders George Washington Sir Henry Clinton Strength 11,000 10,000 Casualties 69 killed, 37 died of heat-stroke 160 wounded 95 missing Total: 361 65 killed 59 died of heat-stroke 170 wounded 50 captured 14 missing Total: 358 The Battle of...

It is not clear that Lee made a bad strategic decision; he believed himself outnumbered (he was: British commander Sir Henry Clinton had 10,000 troops to Lee's 5,440), and retreat was reasonable. However he disobeyed orders and he publicly expressed disrespect to his commander. General Sir Henry Clinton K.B. Commander-in-Chief of British troops in America. ...

Lee tried to get Congress to overturn the court-martial verdict, and when this failed he resorted to open attacks on Washington's character. Lee's popularity plummeted. Colonel John Laurens, an aide to Washington, challenged him to a duel, in which Lee was wounded in the side. He was released from duty on January 10, 1780. He retired to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he died. A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ... John Laurens (October 28, 1754 - August 27, 1782) was an American soldier and statesman from South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. ... is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ...

Treachery may have been the reason for Lee's retreat at the Battle of Monmouth. While Lee was held prisoner by British General Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe in March 1777, Lee drafted a plan for British military operations against the Americans. At the time, Lee was under threat of being tried as a deserter from the British Army, because he hadn't resigned his British commission as Lieutenant-Colonel until several days after he accepted an American commission. The plan in Lee's handwriting was found in the Howe family archives in 1857. Combatants United States of America Great Britain Commanders George Washington Sir Henry Clinton Strength 11,000 10,000 Casualties 69 killed, 37 died of heat-stroke 160 wounded 95 missing Total: 361 65 killed 59 died of heat-stroke 170 wounded 50 captured 14 missing Total: 358 The Battle of... Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC (August 10, 1729 – July 12, 1814) was an English General who was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary War, one of the three Howe brothers. ...

Fort Lee, on the New Jersey side of the Hudson river, across from Fort Washington, was named for him. Map highlighting Fort Lees location within Bergen County. ... The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami, Muhheakantuck, is a river that runs through the eastern portion of New York State and, along its southern terminus, demarcates the border between the states of New York and... Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. ...

External links

• Washington's Retreat through Jersey - Capture of General Lee