Lee, Charles (1731-82) British-born officer in the Continental Army. Appointed the second-ranking major general, he criticized Washington and was slow to follow orders. He was captured by the British in 1776 and, while a prisoner, gave Gen. Howe a plan to defeat the Americans. He was exchanged in 1778. After the Battle of Monmouth, he was court-martialed and suspended from command; he was dismissed from the Army in 1780. Autograph Manuscript, 1½ pages, 13 x 8¼ inches, n.p., n.d. Headed "Maneuvres to be perform'd," beginning "Manual excercise--2d firing by Companies from the right and left of each Battalion to the Center. 3d - Wheeling by companies. 4 Wheeling by grand divisions and marching in this form. 5 - to form columns of a Battalion each, a grand division in front…." He continues with nine other listed items, then draws a line, writes, "explanation, to form a line…to the right is done in the following manner - if the body consists of only one Battalion, the two right hand grand divisions wheel to the right a quarter of a conversion - the two left grand divisions face to the right and march by file with a quick step…." and so on. Several words are crossed out. These instructions are believed to have been written by Lee before the Siege of Boston to instruct commanders who had never had any formal military training. Toned with several edge chips; paper loss at top right corner affects three or four words of text.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500,
Goodspeeds, 1965,
Colonial and Revolutionary America
