Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/214

 PROMINENT PERSONS

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assumed command of the right wing of the army on Ilarlem Heights. The acceptance of the resignation of Gen. Ward in May, 1776. made Lee senior-major-general. On November 16, 1776, the British captured Fort Washington, and forced Washington to defend Philadelphia. Washington had k-ft Lee with 7,000 men in Westchester ccunty, and when ordered to join Wash- ington's army in New Jersey, Lee failed to obey. Washington was therefore forced to fall back to Princeton with 3.000 men, which place he reached December 2, 1776, and the same day Lee moved across the river and encamped at Morristown with 4,000 men. Gen. Schuyler had sent Gates from Ticon- deroga with seven regiments to reinforce Washington, but Lee diverted the march and detained three of the regiments at Mor- nstown. Washington was subsequently forced back across the Delaware river into Pennsylvania. This situation gave Lee the opportunity he desired, and he industriously circulated reports of W^ashington's military incapacity. Holding 1 strong position at Morristown, he planned to fall upon the flank of Howe's army and if possible secure a victory that would give him the command of the American army. On December 13, ^775- ^ party of British dragoons surprised him at his headquarters at Baskingridge, and made Lee, with his staff, prisoners, carrying them to New York City. Gen. Lee was refused the privileges of a prisoner of war and was ordered sent to England for trial as a deserter. Washington to pre- vent this wrote Gen. Howe that he held five Hessian field-officers as hostages for Gen. Lee's personal safety, and on Decem- ber 12. 1777. Lee was declared a prisoner of war subject to exchange. (It is now

known that during his imprisonment in New York he planned a campaign against the American army which he claimed would result in the easy subjugation of the colo- nies, the identical plan, dated March 29, 1777, being discovered among the private papers of the Howes in 1857). He was ex- changed in March, 1778, and joined Wash- ington at Valley Forge. In June, when Sir Henry Clinton planned to retreat from Phil- adelphia across New Jersey to New York, Washington determined to oppose his march. Gen. Lee advised against risking a battle, and his opposition was so determined that Washington appointed Lafayette to the command of Lee's division. Lee solici- tated restoration to the command and La- fayette yielded, when Washington repeatea his orders to Lee and made them peremp- tory. When Lee overtook the British near Monmouth Court House. June 28, 1778. his conduct aroused the suspicion of Lafayette, who despatched an aide to Washington, who was bringing up the other division, asking him to hasten to the front, and when he reached Freehold Church he saw Lee's division in retreat, closely pursued by the British. The commander-in-chief charged Lee with disobeying his orders, and. assum- mg command, he rallied the Americans and defeated the British, after which he ordered Lee to the rear. The next day he reinstated Lee in his old command, in spite of which Lee addressed an exasperating letter to Gen. Washington, to which Washington made a severe reply. Washington ordered Lee under arrest, and in August. 1778. he was tried for disobeying orders, in not at- tacking the enemy; for making an unne- cessary and disorderly retreat: and for dis- respect to the commander-in-chief in two

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