"General Charles Lee" Topic

General Charles Lee was one of those characters I think the Muses added to help make things interesting for historians. Charles Lee had a long history of military service with both the army of Great Britain as well as other European services. Believing he had not been recognized for his achievements and superior ability he emigrated to the colonies and later he threw his lot in with the "rebels." Considered second only to Washington in the early stages of the war he was admired and held in high regard. This of course fed his enormous ego and he insisted on explaining how to do things correctly to everyone, no matter if they were listening or not. While he did add a number of important administrative suggestions his actual military accomplishments were few and very questionable. One point no one questioned was his erratic behavior and his ability to alienate almost everyone he came in contact with. He was always followed by a pack of dogs who's company he said he preferred to people.

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To be fair, from what I've read, pretty much most people who actually spent any time with him preferred pretty much any and all dogs ( and possibly smallpox) to Charles Lee.

He even tried to give advice to the British, when that dashing young officer Banastre Tarleton captured him.
They ignored him too.

Thank you for the comments. I feel that Charles Lee is a very complex and contradictory individual. His previously military career has been exaggerated and his reputation elevated (much like Arnold's). His conduct during 1776 is just as controversial as his 1778 actions. I am still waiting for a good book about Lee.

ALL "foreign generals" had exaggerated resumes when seeking employment with the American cause. Even the useful ones like "von" Steuben had a padded resume.
I've said in the past that I considered Lafayette the equivalent of upper class American radical students who went to Cuba to "cut sugar cane for Fidel".
When the French army came over, it was with trained professionals, officers and men. Hessians were similar.
I just had a thought. 🤔 Why don't we insult the French by calling them "mercenaries" like we do the Hessians?

"Why don't we insult the French by calling them "mercenaries" like we do the Hessians?'

(a) Because the French were forces of an allied power?
(b) Wouldn't that depend on who 'we' is?

Cuz the French were fighting directly for their government and king. Hessians and other German were "rented" out by their ruler to other nations. The term of mercenary fits much better for the Germans.

Lots of labels may apply to Lee in America. "Mercenary" and "Foreign" are not among them. Lee had moved to Virginia and bought an estate before the AWI broke out. He is not much different than Gates, Montgomery, and J.P. Jones among others.