Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-08
GEN. CHARLES LEE.

n, 1<SSo
of Virginia He entered the British army
when a mere boy, and passed his whole life, up
10 the time of his retirement from the AUerl-
can army, in the active duties of his profession.
In l773 he came to America, and warmly es
pouSiug the cause of this country, was placed
next to Washington in command of the army.
Nowhere can there be found a clearer, more
authentic or more reliable account OF the affair
of Monmouth than is contained in the me
moirs" Of Light Hors; Harry Lee. That
officer was present on the occasion, aud being
warm friend of Washington, was not disposed
to offer any false or uuiourdcd apologies for
his namcsake's conduct. His account Of the
affair is as follows: The united body (of the
advance corps was placed under the command
of Major General Lee, Tor the Express purpose
of bringing on battle, should the enemy still
continue n his position at Monmouth Court
House. In this officer was combined long ard
varied experience with profound military
genius. He held too, not only the peculiar
confidence Of the Commander IN. chiet, but that
Of Congress, the nation and the army. On
ders FROM Washington to strike at the
British rear, uuIess strong reasons for
badc it; at the same time advising
HIM of his approach to support him. Cou-
tihuing TO advance he discovered the enemy III
motion. Cliutop having perceived various bodies
OF troops moving on hiS tanks, aud apprehcnd-
uy that the column with his baggage might be
grossly iusutcd, if not seriously injured, wisely
resolved, by a forward movement, TO check
further pursuit. Corvallis, who led the van
troops; advanced upon Lee. This officer, con
cludiug that he should most effect ualy answer
the object of Washington by drawing the eDe
my to him, thus inducing the foe to cxpend
his bodily strength, while he saved that OF the
American army, in day OF uncommon heat,
instantly began to retrogradr; TO lake which
step he was additionally induced by discerning
that the corps on his il:uk, under Brgadler
Scott, had repassed the raviue in his rear. This
country abounds with defcs of a peculiar sort;
the valleys arc cut by Su,all ri>ulctS with mar
shy grounds, difficult to man and horse, aud
impractcable TO artillery, except in particular
spots Such was the one IN Lee rear, which
Scott had passed pcrscvering iu his decision
to join, rather than recall Scott, he continued
to retire; making good his retreat without In
jury, and exposing his person to every danger
At this moment Washington came up, and find
ing his orders disobeycd, required an ex-
pauatiou from General Lee with warmth.
Uuhappy Lee took offence at the manuer
in which he had been accoSted, and re-
piled uDbecomipgly, instead of entering
into that full explanation, which his own
honor duty to his superior, and the good
Of his country demanded Major Geueral LIE
was arrested upon sundry charges, tried, found
guilty, and sentenced to be suspended froul his
Command in the army for one year. The effect
ofwhich was, that the veteran soldier who had
rcuquished his native country to support
cause dear to his heart, became lost to that Of
his adoption. The records of the court martial
manifest on their face the error of the sentence
aud il il. wonderful how men Of honor and of
sense could thus commit themselves to the ceD-
Sures of the independent and the impartial. If
Gen. Lee had been guilty of all the charges as
affirmed by their decision, his life was iolfet-
ed: he ought to have been cashiered and shot,
lnstacd Of which the mild sentence Of suspeu-
sion, for short time, was the punishment in-
tcted. The truth is, the unfortunate General
was only guilty Of neglect in not making time
ly communication OF his departure FROM orders,
subject to his discretion, to the Commander-in
chief, which constituted no part OF the charges
against him. This was certainly a culpable
omission: to which was attcward added person.
al dsrespcct, where the utmost respect was not
only due, but enjoiucd by martial law, and en-
forced by the state of things; but this offense was
different, far different from 'disobedicDcc of
orders, or shameful retreat neither Of
which charges we're supported by testimony;
and both of which were contradicted by fact.
--LynchJmg Nctcs.