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.