The "Palladium" of American Liberty

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Recommended: Ap us history chapter 5 the american revolution

In all revolutions, men and women emerge throughout nations to defy governments, and to bring about change across their country. Many direct their people to challenge what they believe to be an unjust regime. However sometimes those in charge lead, not for the good of their fellow countrymen and revolutionaries, but for their personal benefit they are able to receive through their abetment. One example of such was Major General Charles Lee, second in command of the Continental Army, who at first had been seen as a huge contributor to American Liberty. Though experienced in battle, Lee revealed to be not only a disagreeable and an uncooperative individual, but a traitor to the American people, when he believed all hope was lost.
It was once stated that, "there can be no greater error committed, than for the leaders of a revolution to select for military commanders, those whose tastes and habits are formed under an entirely different organization of things,"(Headley 157). General Lee, became the perfect example of this. Born in 1732 and raised in England, Lee was fourteen when he became part of his father's regiment, the 55th foot. In 1754, Lee joined the 44th regiment and went to America to fight in the French and Indian War. During the time he was there he befriended the Seneca Indians and was given the name Ounewaterika, or "boiling water," due to his temperament. By the age of 27, Lee had been promoted major of the 103rd regiment. However, in 1772, Lee left Britain, accusing George III of destroying the liberty of Englishmen, and journeyed to start a new life in America.
Arriving during the apex of protest, Lee quickly became interested in the affairs between America and Britain. Due to his popular opposition against the gov...

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...od/americanrevolutio1/p/American-Revolution-Major-General-Charles-Lee.htm>
Langguth, A.J. Patriots: The men Who Started the American Revolution. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988. Print
Moore, George H. "Mr. Lee's Plan- March 29th 1777." The Treason of Charles Lee, Major General, Second in Command in the American Army of the Revolution. New York: Charles Scribner, 1860. Internet Archive: The Library of Congress. Web. December 15, 2013.
Nelson, Paul David. "Charles Lee." American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press, February 2000. Web. December 15, 2013.
Sheer, George F, and Hugh F. Rankin. Rebels and Redcoats. Cleveland: World Pub. Co, 1957. Print
Wheeler, Richard. Voices of 1776. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972. Print.

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