Home > Charles Lee (general)

Lee was born in Cheshire England, on the 6th of February, 1732. By the age of twelve, Lee 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 (Braddock lost). During this time in America, he married the daughter of a Mohawk Indian chief. He then went back to Europe to serve under Major General John BurgoyneJohn Burgoyne ( February 24, 1723 August 4, 1792) was a British general during the American Revolutionary War. On October 17, 1777 at Saratoga he surrendered his army of 6,000 men. Biography Burgoyne entered the army at an early age. In 1743 he made a run in PortugalRepublica Portuguesa ( In Detail) National motto: None Official language Portuguese 3 Capital Lisbon President Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Area Total % water World ranking: 109th 92,391 km²0. 5 % Population Total ( 2004) Density World and PolandThe Republic of Poland a country in Central Europe, lies between Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and Russia (in the form of the Kaliningrad Oblast exclave) t for a couple years (Burgoyne would later fight for the Royal Army in the American RevolutionThe American Revolution refers to the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. The American Revolutionary, against General Horatio Gates. Burgoyne lost. This has nothing to do with anything.) By this time, Lee was a Colonel. He moved up quickly -- he was next commissioned as an aide-de-camp with the rank of Major General under the PolishThe Republic of Poland a country in Central Europe, lies between Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and Russia (in the form of the Kaliningrad Oblast exclave) t king Stanislaus IIStanislaw August Poniatowski Reign From September 7, 1764until 1795 Elected On September 7, 1764 in Wola,today suburb of Warsaw, Poland Coronation On November 25, 1764 in the Wawel Cathedral, Krakow, Poland Coat of Arms Ciolek Predecessor August III Sas S. But when he returned to Britain, but he was not wanted in the army, so he headed back to the colonies in 1773Events January 12 The first American museum open to the public is opened in ( Charleston, South Carolina). January 17 Captain James Cook becomes the first European explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle April 27 or May 10 The British Parliament passes the.

When it started to look like war was inevitable, he volunteered his services to the colonies. He expected to be named Commander-in-ChiefCommander-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 in a state. Political title While well-known Commanders-in-Chief often have been of the Continental Army -- he was the most experienced candidate. On the other hand, he was born in Britain, somewhat eccentric, slovenly in appearance, coarse in language, and perhaps most damning of all, he wanted to be paid (he expected to lose all of his property in Britain, and expected to be compensated for this). Washington, on the other hand, was sober, steady, calm, and best of all, would work without pay, asking only that 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 won, and Lee was given the lesser rank of Major General. Lee is often considered second in command of the colonial forces, although Artemas Ward officially held this position (Ward was not in good health).

Lee also received some 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-ever Commander of the Southern Department . He served in this post for six months, until he was recalled to the main army. That same year, he was caught by the Royal Army at White's Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey -- three miles from camp, where he stayed in comparative luxury. He was eventually regained by colonial forces in exchange for General Prescott .

Lee is, unfortunately, most famous for his actions during the Battle of Monmouth. Washington ordered him to attack the retreating enemy, but instead he retreated himself. He retreated directly into Washington and his troops, who were advancing, and Washington chewed him out in front of everybody. Lee responded with 'inappropriate language', and was arrested, and shortly thereafter court-martialed. Lee was found guilty and relieved of command for a period of one year.

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. But he disobeyed orders, having had a low opinion of Washington's generalship, and he expressed disrespect to his commander. Now is not usually seen as a hero, or as particularly brave.

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 on October 2, 1782.

He was a dog lover, and was rarely seen apart from his dogs. His favourite, a Pomeranian named Spada, is mentioned about as often as his wife is -- meaning, not much. He also had a fort named after him, Fort Lee on the New Jersey side of the Hudson river, right across from Fort Washington.