Original sentence: Expecting praise for a retreat he believed had generally been conducted in good order, Lee was uncharacteristically lost for words when, according to his later recollection, Washington asked without pleasantries, "I desire to know, sir, what is the reason – whence arises this disorder and confusion
Edited sentence: Expecting praise for a retreat generally conducted in good order, Lee was uncharacteristically lost for words when, according to his later recollection, Washington asked without pleasantries, "I desire to know, sir, what is the reason – whence arises this disorder and confusion