Charles Lee, born in 1731 at Dernhall in Cheshire, England, was
destined by his parents, from his earliest youth, to the profession of
arms; his education, therefore, was such as to further that purpose.
In 1758, he came to New York with the British forces designed for the
conquest of Louisburg, and served with distinction during the French
and Indian War. Returning to England at the close of the war, he threw
himself with characteristic ardor into politics; but finding this too
tame a pursuit, he offered his services to Poland, then to Russia
against the Turks, and in 1773 returned to America, where, on the 17th
of June, 1775, he was appointed second major-general of the Continental
forces,--Washington at the same time being made commander-in-chief,
though from his experience and brilliant achievements abroad, Lee had
hoped for the latter appointment himself. His first service was the
putting of New York City in a good state of defence. In March, 1776,
Congress ordered him south, and in conjunction with General Moultrie,
he defeated the British at Charleston, South Carolina, in the battle
of the 28th of June, with the fleet of Parker under Lord Cornwallis.
Moultrie won the victory, although it was conceded to Lee. Moultrie
constructed the famous Palmetto Fort on Sullivan’s Island.
In October, Lee was recalled to New York; here his jealousy of
Washington blinded his better judgment and led him into a series
of indiscretions which after the battle of Monmouth subjected him
to a court-martial, some of the charges being “disobedience of
orders,” “misbehavior before the enemy,” and “disrespect to the
commander-in-chief.” The court found him guilty of these charges, and
Congress, after considerable delay, on Monday the 10th of January,
1780, resolved, “That Major-General Charles Lee be informed that
Congress have no further occasion for his services in the army of the
United States.” Retiring to his estate in Berkeley County, Virginia,
he led the life of a hermit, shunning society and devoting himself to
agricultural and literary pursuits. His dwelling was a rudely built
house containing one large room, chalk-marks on the floor taking the
place of partitions and indicating where the various apartments should
be. Wearying of this life, and his farm proving unprofitable, he went
to Philadelphia to make arrangements for selling it. While attending to
this business, he was attacked by a fatal illness and died there on the
2d of October, 1782, at the age of fifty-one.