Evening star., 1932-03-06

a major general IN the Army of the
Revolution, until and even long after
his death, opinion was much divided
as to the value of his services to the cause of
independence and whether or not he mertd
the treatment he received after the battle of
Monmouth.
Following the battle, which occurred on June
%. 1778, Lee, stung by the remarks made to
him by Gen. Washington, when the latter
found the American forces retreating, engaged
in a sharp correspondence with Washington,
and finally expressed desire that court-mar-
tial should be convened to pass his con-
duct; that, this being done, he was tried on
three charges: (a) DiSobedience Of orders in
not attacking the enemy: (b) misbehavior be-
fore the enemy "by making an unnecessary
disorderly and shameful retreat" and (c) dis
respect to the commander in chief by his let
terS to him subsequent to the battle; that,
having heard the testimony of a large number
OF witnesses, Lee was found guilty on the
first and third charges exactly as framed, and
also on the second charge to the extent of
making unnecessary and, in some few in
stances, disorderly retreat and was sentenced
ito be suspended from any command in the
armies of the United States Of North America
for the term of IL months; and that although
the sentence was pronounced August IL,
it did not receive the approval of the Con-
gress until December 5, having meanwhile
been the subject of much debate in the ses-
Congressional Journal shows that Rhode Island,
New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina and South Carolina voted to sustain
the sentence; that Massachusetts, and Georgia
voted in the negative and that Virginia. Mary
land and New Jersey did not vote, as the men,
berS present from each of those States were
equally divided. So far Virginia is
cerned, it appears that only two members
were present, Francis Lightfoot Lee, who voted
"aye" and Meriwether Smith, who voted no"
On December 4, 1779, the Congress, to which
in the interval Lee had written offensive
letter, resolved, THAT Maj. Gen. Charles Lee
be informed that Congress has no further
occasion for his services in the Army of the
United States Of America"
It appears from the journal that the only
States voting mo" on this occasion were Con-
necticut, New Jersey and Maryland and that
the only member present from Virginia, Cyrus
Griffin, was recorded in the negative. 1t was
necessary that State should vote by at least
two members.
moment may be taken to inquire what was
the language actually used by Washington
when he rode up to Lee and found a retreat
in progress Of which everybody seems to have
agreed the commander in chief should have
been given prompt notice. That his appear
ance when he encountered Lee strongly in
dictated his displeasure is left beyond doubt
by the evidence submitted at the trial but that
he made Of any such language as several
writer's have imputed to him is not proven.
On that point here Is what Lee himself told
the court-martial in the course Of his very
lengthy statement: Saying that he was dis
concerted, disturbed and confounded by the
words and manner" Of Washington, he went
on to say. THE terms, I think were these:
4 desire to know, sir, what Is the reason
whence arises this disorder and confusion?
The manner in which he expressed them was
much stronger and more severe than the ex-
pressions themselves" Had Washington de-
nounced him as a damned poltroon," as some
of the historians assert, or had he even ex-
claimed, as reported to Judge Robertson
in 184O by a veteran of the Revolution when
Robertson was a student at Hampden Sid
ney College, my God, Gen. Lee, what are
you about?" Lee would naturally have so in
formed the court
Prior to the battle of Monmouth, in December,
1776 in consequence of disregarding orders and
requests to move which he had received from
Washington Lee was captured by the British
and carried to New York. There a threat 20
transport him to England, in accordance with
instructions from London, to be tried
deserter from the British Army would probably
have been executed but for Washington inform
ing the British commander in chief at New
York that he was holding officers which he had
taken as hostages for Lees personal safety. This
had the desired effect of maintaining Lees status
as simply a prisoner of war. and thus after
being held year and half in New York, he
WIS exchanged and rejoined the American
Army at Valley Forge, May 20. 1778, little
more than q month before the battle Of Mon
mouth. 3'...' a't..