Evasion and Capture. The Capture of General Charles Lee. NJ, 1776

He certainly was the center of attention as he rode through the New Jersey towns and villages on that gray and blustery December morning. But it was not at all the welcome he’d imagined. Just a day or so before he’d written a letter saying he’d come to New Jersey as a liberator…

“I hope to reconquer the Jerseys. It really was in the enemy’s hands before my arrival.”

But now Continental Major-General Charles Lee was a prisoner. Astride another’s horse, clad in only breeches, a nightshirt and slippers, with a blanket thrown across his shoulders, his legs bound to the stirrup leathers, he was a pathetic figure. He was paraded by his captors, a troop of British dragoons - “The Queen’s Own.”

He rode between files of cheerful, proud cavalrymen outfitted in scarlet, white and glittering brass. They believed they had apprehended the only Continental general officer of any consequence. With that bumbler Washington and his dwindling, ragtag army fleeing pell-mell southwest across New Jersey, now with Lee a prisoner, this American Revolt was just about over.

Major General Charles Lee was a soldier of fortune. British-born, he first came to America in 1755 as part of Braddock’s expedition. He was a lieutenant colonel in Portugal under Burgoyne, later a staff officer and even a general in the Polish army. He returned to America in 1772, apparently sensing the coming conflict and the concurrent opportunities for a man with his military experience and credentials. His judgment was correct, and at the outset of war he was placed in command of the Department of the South. He was praised for his defense of Charleston and returned north as a popular figure. He was regarded by some (and certainly by himself) as superior to Washington. The British called him “The American Palladium.” And it rankled him that he was second-in-command to Washington. Just that very morning he had written of Washington…

“A certain great man is damnably deficient.” He thought that he would supplant Washington after he had “reconquered the Jerseys.”

But now, here he was, a prisoner of war. He had been taken unawares as he whiled away the morning at Widow White’s Tavern in the village of Basking Ridge.

His army of 4,000 was camped 3 miles away in Bedminster (then Veal Town). They were finally, after a month's delay, moving to the support of Washington. While Lee’s soldiers camped in Bedminster, for reasons unknown, Lee decided that he, his staff and a small guard would lodge independently. Leaving his force in command of General Sullivan, he departed. This was folly. Basking Ridge was effectively in enemy territory. The main British force was at New Brunswick but their cavalry ranged far and wide.

The evening before his capture in Basking Ridge, he’d summarily dismissed a Presbyterian elder who had come to complain about a horse Lee's soldiers had "requisitioned." But early that morning the elder crossed paths with a troop of British dragoons and maybe voluntarily… maybe not… the elder disclosed Lee’s exposed location in Basking Ridge.

It was a time for speedy action. Washington was desperately short of troops and withdrawing across New Jersey with the British on his heels. After a deluge of letters from Washington requesting his assistance, Lee had eventually decamped from New York State and swung south. But the movement was not made with urgency. Lee’s personal behavior gives the feel. That morning Lee had slept late. He arose at 8 and breakfasted until 10. His guard behaved as did the major general. They were lazing in the sun on the south side of the tavern with their arms stacked, when suddenly there were flashes of scarlet and the British dragoons arrived, surrounding the tavern. There was a brief skirmish, with two Americans cut down and two British shot. Lee surrendered. There had been no time to dress and the dragoons took him as he was and rode away.

But even before they reached New Brunswick with their prize, General Sullivan hurried his army through Bedminster on their way to join Washington. The American army evaded the pursuing British and safely crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania. They’d be back.

Lee was released in an exchange of prisoners. He resumed a position of command, but his name had lost its luster. Later, after disregarding orders at the Battle of Monmouth, he was suspended from command for a year. It is said he never forgot nor forgave. That might be true. He may have had the Presbyterian elder from Basking Ridge in mind when he wrote the following clause in his will…

“I desire most earnestly that I may not be buried in any church or churchyard within a mile of any Presbyterian meeting house; for since I have resided in this country I have kept such bad company with them when living, that I do not choose to continue it when dead.”