The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Feb. 6, 1776
The story of Maj. Gen. Charles Lee is complicated. Lee was born in Cheshire, England, in 1732, the son of a British general who was educated in Switzerland. Lee served in a number of European armies, including those of Russia, Poland, and Portugal, before coming to America and joining the Continental Army in 1775. He became the second, only to Washington, in seniority, serving as the commissioned major general in the force.
Lee’s actions in the defense of New York and in the southern theater defending Charleston bolstered his reputation. But things went south after his capture by the British in 1776, following the fall of New York City. Lee was eventually returned in a prisoner swap. He soon became a strident critic of the reforms instituted by Washington and Baron von Steuben.
Unknown to Washington, as a prisoner, Lee wrote several notes to Gen. Sir William Howe on the best manner to defeat the Americans. Upon his release, Lee returned to the field and led a disorganized advanced guard at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, resulting in the retreat of the American advance guard.
Washington confronted him on the reason, and the two men had words. After the exchange, Washington wrote to Lee, saying:
“As soon as circumstances will permit, you shall have an opportunity, either of justifying yourself to the army, to Congress, to America, and to the world in General; or of convincing them that you were guilty of a breach of orders and of misbehaviour before the enemy on the 28th Inst. in not attacking them as you had been directed and in making an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat.”
Lee was brought up on charges of insubordination and removed from command in the army for one year. In the aftermath, he often criticized the Continental Congress for enforcing the sentence on him. These actions led to his permanent dismissal from the Continental Army in January 1780. He died in Philadelphia in 1782.
On Feb. 6, 1776, exactly 10 months before Lee was taken prisoner by the British, the general was gravely ill. He wrote to Washington from New York, noting that British Gen. Henry Clinton had arrived in the city and claiming that his visit was only to see former royal Gov. William Tyron. Clinton said he had not brought any troops.
Lee wrote that he found this claim to be implausible. Lee noted that Clinton was freely telling everyone of his plans to sail south to North Carolina to receive reinforcements.
From Maj. Gen. Charles Lee
New York, Feb. 6, 1776
My Dr General
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself the enmity of the whole Province—my hands were effectually tied up from taking any step necessary for the public service by the late resolve of the Congress putting every detachment of the Continental Forces under the Command of the Provincial Congress where such Detachment is—I shou’d apprise You that General Clinton arriv’d almost at the same instant with myself—He has brought no Troops with him and pledges his Honour that none are coming. He says it is merely a visit to his Friend Tryon—if it is really so it is the most whimsical piece of civility I ever heard of—He informs us that his intention is for N. Carolina where He expects five Regiments from England, that He only brought two company’s of Light Infantry from Boston this is certainly a droll way of proceeding—to communic⟨ate⟩his full plan to the Enemy is too novel to be creditted The Congress Committee, a certain number of the Committee of Safety and Your humble Servt have had two co[n]ferences—the result of these Conferenc⟨es⟩is such as will agreeably surprize You—it is in the first place agreed and justly that to fortify the Town against Shipping is impracticable—but We are to fortify lodgments in some commanding part of the City for two thoushand Men We are to erect inclos’d Batteries on both sides the Water near Hell Gate—which will answer the double purpose of securing the Town against Piracies through the Sound—and secure our communication with Long Island—now become a more capital point than ever—as it is determi⟨ned⟩to form a strong fortify’d Camp of three thoushand Men in that Island immediately opposite to N. Yo⟨rk⟩—the pass in the Highlands is to be made as respectable as possible and guarded by a Battalion—in short I think the plan judicious and compleat—The two brass Pieces and other articles will be sent down as your require.
ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON IS CONFRONTED WITH THE ISSUE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
You have heard of the fate of the Cannon near King’s Bridge—as I write with pain—You will excuse my abrupt conclusion—Yours Dr General
C. Lee
My love to Gates and the rest Female and Male.