The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-28
PROF. JOHN FISKES LECTURE
INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING
GENERAL CHARLES lee.

Fast In the Historical society's Course of
Lectures-Docume Showing General
Lees Reasonable Conduct Recently Dis
covered-No Relation of the Virginia
Lees.
The last of the course of lectures be-
ing given under the auspices of the
New Haven Colony Historical society
was delivered at the society building
last evening by Prof. John Fiske of
Cambridge, Mass. Prof. Fiskes sub
ject was Charles Lee, the Soldier of
Fortune" A large audience was pres
ent, the entire seating capacity of the
hall being filled. Prof. Fiske was intro
duced by Judge Lynde Harrison and
began his lecture by mentioning GER
tain papers which have recently been
found which throws much light on Gen.
eral Charles Lees real character, and
While the discovery of new documents
go to prove the characters of some of
the people the discovery of these papers
has acted in the reverse way in re-
gard to General Lee
After brief sketch Of General Lees
family Prof FislSe said he was born
in England in 1871 and at the age of
eleven years received q commission in
the British army. The greater part of
his education was received at an acad-
emy in Switzerland, where he became
proficient in the romance languages.
He seems, however, to have applied
himself particularly to the military
studies He took part in the campaign
which resulted in Braddock's defeat,
serving as lieutenant. He early be-
came noted among his early fellow sol
diers for his arrogant temper and was
known among the Indians by the title
of Boiling Water" He was also fond
of commenting on the imbecility of his
superior officers. In 1857 he purchased
a captains commission in the Forty
fourth regiment and the next year took
part in Abercrombie's expedition
against Fort Ticonderoga. At the close
fthat war he returned to England.
In 1851 he was appointed major in
the One Hundred and Sixty-third and
served with distinction in the war be-
tween Spain and Portugal, with broke
out in 1852 with the brevet of lieutenant
colonel. In 1853 the One Hundred and
SiXty-third was disbanded, and Lee
was retired as major on half pay. He
was much disgusted at this as he de-
sired promotion, but he had made HIM
self disliked in high quarters on ac-
count Of the fierceness with which he
lampooned everyone with whom he was
displeased. He made up his mind that
he was not appreciated in England and
in 1765 went to Poland, where he re-
ceived a place on the staff of King
Stanislaus. The next year he went
back to England, but in 1869 returned
to Poland and received the commission
of major general in the Polish army,
in which he served one campaign
against the Turks. On his return to
England he was given the commission
of lieutenant colonel on half pay and
was given to understand that he could
expet nothing more. He had during all
this time kept one eye on America and
now thought that America offered a
promising career for a soldier of for
tune In 1913 he arrived in New York
and made tour of the provinces, be-
coming acquainted with all the leaders
0 fthe revolutionary party and es-
poused their cause with great zeal In
IVA he did some real service with
tongue and pen, and exercised consid-
cradle influence. He was in Philadel-
phia when the first Continental con-
gress met, and gave it much advice.
He had become so prominent that he
beban to hope for a high place in the
Continental army, and realizing that
he could not get such a place unless he
owned property in the colonies, he pur-
chased an estate in Virginia. He hoped
for the appointment of commandment in
chief, but instead received the commits
sion of second major general, General
Artemus Ward being first. Major
General Lee was keenly disappointed.
He, however, concealed his antipathy
towards Washington, but against Cen
eral Ward he was bitter.
He called upon congress to reimburse
him for any pecuniary loss he might
receive from having Joined the Amer-
can army. AS soon as congress agreed
to do this he threw up his commission
in the British army and wrote to the
British government stating his new po-
sition. He then claimed to have suf-
fered great loss from confiscation of his
property in England and congress gave
him 10000. After Washington took
command at Cambridge Lee was placed
in command of the left wing of the
army. The executive council that year
received a letter from Ireland warning
it that Lee was not a man in whom
confidence could be safely placed.
By the resignation of General Ward,
Lee finally became first major general
and unquestionably hoped to become
first in command by the fall of Wash
ington. When General Howe started
across Jersey, Washington ordered Lee,
who was encamped near the Hudson
to join forces with him, but Lee grub
bled and waited and actually wrote
letters to increase the disaffection
against Washington and even tried to
raise sectional dislike and distrust in
New England against Washington
This has been called the most critical
time in the revolution and it is at once
apparent that Lees disregard of orders
was the great cause of it.
General Lees capture was described
in detail by Professor Fiske. He said
that when captured Lee was delaying
the movement of his troops, as ordered
by Washington, and Immediately after
the capture General Sullivan took the
troops to Washington's assistance, be-
inc at least one goOd result of 7 aa'c