General Charles Lee

General Charles Lee

        Charles Lee was born in Britain. He was somewhat eccentric, slovenly in appearance, coarse in language, and perhaps most of all, he wanted to be paid. By joining the rebellion, he forfeited all his properties in England, and wanted to be compensated. George Washington, on the other hand, was sober, steady, calm, and best of all, would work without pay, asking only that the Continental Congress should cover his expenses.
        Later in the year of 1776, he was captured by British cavalry under Banastre Tarleton and held as a prisoner until exchanged in 1778. During the decisive Battle of Monmouth later that year, Lee led an assault on the British which miscarried.Charles Lee served as a General of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence.During 1776, forces under his command repulsed a British attempt to capture Charleston, which boosted his standing with the army and Congress. When war appeared inevitable he resigned his Royal commission and volunteered his services to the colonies. He expected to be named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, being the most experienced candidate.