Page:Charles Lee Papers 1873 Vol 3.djvu/22

THE LEE PAPERS. ceived themselves aggrieved, to complain afterwards, and that he had nothing further to say on the subject, but that the troops were to be held in readiness to move at a moment's warning.

General Lee's question. Do you recollect my giving you some reasons for not arranging a mode of attack?

A. When you mentioned you had nothing further to say on the subject, you said that the position of the enemy might render any previous plan invalid, or words to that purpose.

General Lee's question. The same as his first to General Scott.

A. I understood that we were to attack the enemy on their march, at all events, and that General Washington would be near us to support us with the main army.

General Lee's question. The same as his second to General Scott.

A. I understood we were to attack them, but as I heard no particular orders that were given you, but what I have mentioned, I knew of no restrictions in regard to your manœuvres.

General Lee's question. Did General Washington's conversation with me, convey the idea that it was his intention to bring on a general action of the two whole armies by my attack?

A. The idea I conceived from General Washington's conversation was, that we should attack the enemy, and that he should be near to support us with the main body of the army, which, in its consequences, must, if we were pushed, inevitably, I think, have brought on a general action.

being sworn:

Q. Did you carry General Lee orders from General Washington the 27th of June respecting General Lee's attacking the enemy next day?

A. In the afternoon of the 27th, as General Washington was returning from English-Town to his quar-