euver his steed out of the way. Washington then sheathed his sword and gave Lee a verbal lashing that was “fit for a trooper. ” After Listening to Lee stammer out excuses for a while, he furiously relieved the incompetent general of command and sent him to the back of the American lines to await further orders. By all accounts Lee rode away from the verbal lashing as “…child, pale a quivering from the merciless lashing of Washington’s tongue. ” This was the exact moment when one can say that the Americans experienced a bold turn-around in both morale and fighting ability. As soon as the sniveling Lee left the front lines, Washington rode through the troops, reassuring them and bringing them into, at least, a semblance of order. Slowly, the Americans began to retreat in a much more methodical manner, all the while offering, what seemed to be, true resistance. Keep in mind that Washington was under tremendous firepower from the advancing British as he did this. About the time that the advance guard was restored to order, Colonel Hamilton rode up and informed Washington that he main British force would be upon them in minutes. Washington, realizing that he was short on leaders, had no choice but to re-instate Lee. He did this with the orders that he had better not be the first to retreat, or there would be severe consequences. Lee then regained command of his army.Washington rejoined his army, and drew them into two lines on rising ground about halfway between a church and the marshy branch of Wemrock that passed though Englishtown. This point was about two and a half miles northwest from the courthouse, and was an extremely strong position. The right wing was placed under the command of Greene; Lord Stirling took command of the left, while the artillery was commanded by Knox. Washington, of course, commanded the center of the body, and directed the course of the battle from this place. Lee, after the s...
