The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-09-19
Fo- the Farmer aud Ne,.hAri
Justice 70 Charles Lee.


To one man Who rendered valuable
assistance to The cause Of liberty in oui
struggle for independence, the American
people aud history have done gross inius-
tice-l mean Gen. Charles Lee Or
the retreat OF the British army through
New Jersey. Washington sent Lee tor
ward with Orlers to attack il as soon n
overtaken and promised To support him
Lee overlook and attacked Jus. as the
Brtish had passed over corduroy
turnpike through an extensive swamp.
mpracticable on either hand for The
passage of cavalry or artillery Ever,
man with military training. or even
common sense viii see that if the Bri-
tiSh could be lured to repass this caus-
way in pursuit Lee would have them III
,rcat disadvant l~e being able to cEo0S,
now many he would FIGHT with his Who'll,
force. To invite pursuit, Lees retrea
was designedly much ''disorderly.'
Washington coming up and meetin.
Lee at this iuncture. addressed him il
these words. NV God. Gen. zee. what
is the cause OF this ill-timed discre-
tom meaning and understood bv Lee
to mean cowardlce. Lee intlammahlc
rs gun-powder retorted no man can
boast OF a larger share of that rascalls
virtue than your Excellency." For this
disorderly retreat, language to the Com
mander in Chief, and some letters ad-
dressed to Washington. Soon after the
battle of Monmoth. Lee was tried by a
court martial, found guilty. and sentenc-
ed to suspension for twelve mouths.
For sometime previously. there had
4 l. l. a.. 1,
army and outsiders having for its aim
the removal of Washington. and putting
of Lee in his place. 1t was notorious
i that considerable dissatisfaction with
/ Washngtons handling of the military
means under his control existed. Here
there was dilemma for the court-mar-
/ tial. Either Washington or Lee must
| fall 1t said (wisely and patrioticallv
| think that it would be Lee. Both
/ Washington and the members of the
court knew that Lee was utterly unfit tn
be put at the head of the Revolutionary
cause: that a though as brave or b,aveI
than Cesar. possessed of great military
experience and considerable genius for
war, he was to such a degree the slave
of passion and prejudice as to be utterly y
Il unfit for supreme command, that the
i cause of liberty must be ruined, or Lee
suffer wrong. This is what Montague
| tuitr,r ,.e.AT- - l--,.4ann IS of sllcll
i,,nt strain our conscience To :. .de's !
DEGREE the public may when very mani
lest. and of very great concern. limo
leon made timely expiation for ms
, strange feat by the tears he shed. ca Inns
: TO mind that it vas with a fraternal hant
flat he had staih the tyrant. And
iustiy pricked his conscience that he hat
been necessitated to purchase the publl
utility at so great price as the viola
Z tiou of his own welfare" (Timoleol
: had killed his own brother). Although
1 he was not directly in express word
e CHARGED. in tie indictment Oh whlcl
: he was tried he was plainly 50 charged
!, for the words used were for maxim
; an unnecessary. disorderly and shamefi
retreat" and Washington had virtual
in the presence Of the army charge
e hlm with it. And of this he was by th
u sentence of the court convicted. No
if there was any one thing from whic
= Lee was utterly free, 1T was coWardlc
! His whole adult career proves that |
! was reckle~slv. foolishly. wicked
brave. He could no more live out
:. ouarrellmy and fighting than fish O.
! ot water. He realized Bvron's sayln
= ..ouiet TO restlcss bosoms is a hell; ii
- throne was tempest and his state co
~ vulsion." WcemS. the biographer
"A Washington. and who almost Worshl
= ped him. admits that Lee was a bra
to man. He repeatedly took service und
a foreign powers, when at war. ana
od soon as fighting was over took servl
en- elsewhere. where there was lighting
,te he done. The mild sentence shows
nv think. that the court did not believe
ar guilty as charged, otherwise they mi
TO have sentenced him to capital punls
ment according 70 the laws OF all IN
ne. tary establishments. Lees hot, pre-
ms snirit would not brook the disgrace, a
nd he at once retired from the army.
ar Let no reader imagine that wish
led cast the shadow of a stain on the
he fame of our matchless Washington
led the contrary, think the publication
In these "reminiscences must raise nm
ov- higher in the love and esteem OF
be own people, aud of the world at lar
OF that for his country's salvation he
tely willing 10 wound his own pure c
VIZ. science,
can For very many years dark pal
and corruption and iniquity has beclou
lect our national administration. Nov
'lns think if Congress, with the approva
lite. o;r President. were to eXcuipate
tidn from the uniust stigma imposed on
and + wonld elevate us in the eyes of
lad world. as well as of our own, and Z
. brioht halo around the name OF An
suits 20 w. @. GREGoR
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