81To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I first assented to the Marquis of Fayette’s taking the command of the present detachment, I confess I viewd it in a very different light than I do at present I considerd it as a more proper busyness of a Young Volunteering General than of the Second in command in the Army—but I find that it is considerd in a different manner; They say that a Corps consisting of six thoushand Men, the...
82From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your uneasiness, on account of the command of yesterday’s detachment, fills me with concern, as it is not in my power, fully, to remove it without wounding the feelings of the Marquiss de la Fayette—I have thought of an expedient, which though not quite equal to either of your views, may in some measure answer both; and that is to make another detachment from this Army for the purpose of...
83To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did not receive your order to halt until the head of the Detachment was within a mile of English Town Creek —I immediately halted on the receipt—indeed it was not my intention to proceed further than the first brook or Water—I have taken a tolerable strong Post in the wood where I shall wait for further orders—unless the expediency of making some movement is so forcible as to oblige me—I the...
84To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
From the knowledge I have of your Excys character—I must conclude that nothing but the misinformation of some very stupid, or misrepresentation of some very wicked person coud have occasioned your making use of so very singular expressions as you did on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post —They implyed that I was guilty either of disobedience of orders, of want of conduct, or...
85From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter (dated thro’ mistake the 1st of July) expressed as I conceive, in terms highly improper. I am not conscious of having made use of any very singular expressions at the time of my meeting you, as you intimate. What I recollect to have said, was dictated by duty and warranted by the occasion. As soon as circumstances will permit, you shall have an opportunity, either of...
86To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg your Excellency’s pardon for the inaccuracy in misdating my letter —you cannot afford me greater pleasure than in giving me the opportunity of shewing to America the sufficiency of her respective servants—I trust that temporary power of office and the tinsel dignity attending it will not be able by all the mists they can raise to affuscate the bright rays of truth, in the mean time your...
87To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing my letter by Col. Fitzgerald to your Excellency I have reflected on both your situation and mine, and beg leave to observe that it will be for our mutual convenience that a Court of inquiry should be immediately ordered—but I could wish it might be a court martial—for if the affair is drawn into length it may be difficult to collect the necessary evidences,...
88From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your letter by Colo. Fitzgerald and also one of this date have been duly received. I have sent Colo. Scammel, the Adjutant General to put you in arrest, who will deliver you a copy of the charges on which you will be tryed. I am Sir Yr most obt servt Copy, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See Lee’s second (misdated 28 June) and third letters to GW of this date....
89George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 15 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] September 15, 1778 . Grants Lee’s request to go to Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
90To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I understand the Army is soon to move and it certainly will be very awkward for a Man in my circumstances to be oblig’d to attend it, I shall think my self very much oblig’d to your Excellency for permission to go to Philadelphia, I shou’d not be so desirous of this indulgence, if I had not been made to believe that it yet may be a considerable time, before my affair is brought to a final...