Those in charge of troops are particularly responsible for those that follow their lead. Washington not only reprimanded Lee, but punished him with court martial. When your actions put others in harms way without regard to harmful consequences there should be an accounting. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen as often as it should and so the guilty continue to make bad decisions sometimes costing the lives or great harm to other people. Washington didn’t brook such careless decisions.
I am continually amazed at the ineptitude of some of our officers of that time. Was their appointment strictly due to their heritage and not their education/training in warring? I'm always led to wonder the same in this day and age, especially when you oftentimes see the same in other endeavors.
Hooray for George Washington who made a disgrace into a moral victory after watching his troops in retreat. General Lee was in hot water for sure.
I thank God for George Washington and all others who have served or currently serve this great nation. His leadership allowed the United States to exist and for us to enjoy independence and freedom. We need another George Washington today.
Great story/thank you. George Washington to the rescue!
Reflecting on this..
So, he may have broken his long standing record of avoiding swearing. Maybe he really did swear and surprised those around him with this unusual behavior. His normal patient demeanor was justifiably overturned by these extreme circumstances endangering the army.
There are times when such swearing actually serves a purpose, awakening others to the extremity of the moment and the need for action.
If, however, one swears continually it loses its potency and becomes simply a sign of lazy thinking and reflects poorly on the character of the habitual swearer.
We observe the F word in use today being thrown about so that it’s acceptable in many circles. We all know that’s not a good habit but we tend to tolerate it as it has become endemic in modern society. Even children learn to express these rough words without being reprimanded.
Am I old fashioned? Out of step & date? Or do we sadly agree we have witnessed a lowering of standards.
I’m sure Washington and his fellow soldiers would be shocked to see what passes for common communication today.
I for one do not swear for the most part and confront others when they swear in front of my wife, daughters and grandchildren. Yes this has been risky at times to do so, but you would be amazed at how others have backed me up once I have taken a stance.
Yes - we can stand for decency among many things - they’re all related - Washington was admired for so many fine upstanding attributes we rarely see in most political leaders today
But, he was a red head and was know for his temper as well! You did not want to make him angry! I think in this case he likely used his temper to take advantage of it to spread wrath of the General!
Thanks Tara for uncovering this event for some of us and sharing this morning. I am sure others of us had known this but I for one, hadn't heard this yet. In my family history are "Lee"s. And Lee is my sister's middle name!
Gen Lee thought he deserved Washington’s command. He had been a British officer, but apparently not well seasoned in battle for he could not handle his command and failed them before a retreat became widespread - until Washington arrived. Lee was a disgrace to his uniform.
I see why Christopher Lee received a court-martial!
No Doubt!
Those in charge of troops are particularly responsible for those that follow their lead. Washington not only reprimanded Lee, but punished him with court martial. When your actions put others in harms way without regard to harmful consequences there should be an accounting. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen as often as it should and so the guilty continue to make bad decisions sometimes costing the lives or great harm to other people. Washington didn’t brook such careless decisions.
I am continually amazed at the ineptitude of some of our officers of that time. Was their appointment strictly due to their heritage and not their education/training in warring? I'm always led to wonder the same in this day and age, especially when you oftentimes see the same in other endeavors.
Hooray for George Washington who made a disgrace into a moral victory after watching his troops in retreat. General Lee was in hot water for sure.
I thank God for George Washington and all others who have served or currently serve this great nation. His leadership allowed the United States to exist and for us to enjoy independence and freedom. We need another George Washington today.
Thank you Tara.
Great story/thank you. George Washington to the rescue!
Reflecting on this..
So, he may have broken his long standing record of avoiding swearing. Maybe he really did swear and surprised those around him with this unusual behavior. His normal patient demeanor was justifiably overturned by these extreme circumstances endangering the army.
There are times when such swearing actually serves a purpose, awakening others to the extremity of the moment and the need for action.
If, however, one swears continually it loses its potency and becomes simply a sign of lazy thinking and reflects poorly on the character of the habitual swearer.
We observe the F word in use today being thrown about so that it’s acceptable in many circles. We all know that’s not a good habit but we tend to tolerate it as it has become endemic in modern society. Even children learn to express these rough words without being reprimanded.
Am I old fashioned? Out of step & date? Or do we sadly agree we have witnessed a lowering of standards.
I’m sure Washington and his fellow soldiers would be shocked to see what passes for common communication today.
I for one do not swear for the most part and confront others when they swear in front of my wife, daughters and grandchildren. Yes this has been risky at times to do so, but you would be amazed at how others have backed me up once I have taken a stance.
Yes - we can stand for decency among many things - they’re all related - Washington was admired for so many fine upstanding attributes we rarely see in most political leaders today
But, he was a red head and was know for his temper as well! You did not want to make him angry! I think in this case he likely used his temper to take advantage of it to spread wrath of the General!
Lee was the weakest of Washington's Generals
A new lesson for me. I understand why Washington was furious and the charges led to a Court Martial. Thanks Tara.
Good read Tara. Always like the revolutionary war ere history you post.
Thanks Tara for uncovering this event for some of us and sharing this morning. I am sure others of us had known this but I for one, hadn't heard this yet. In my family history are "Lee"s. And Lee is my sister's middle name!
Gen Lee thought he deserved Washington’s command. He had been a British officer, but apparently not well seasoned in battle for he could not handle his command and failed them before a retreat became widespread - until Washington arrived. Lee was a disgrace to his uniform.