Charles Lee
|
He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
Charles Lee (1732 – 1782) was a British soldier, who later served as a General of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence.
Biography
Charles Lee was born February 6, 1732 in Cheshire, England. He attended school in Switzerland until 1746 when he returned to England to finish his studies. His father, a Colonel of the 55th Foot, purchased a commission for Lee as an Ensign in his regiment.
After finishing schooling, Lee joined his regiment and purchased a Lieutenant's commission. He served in the British Army during the Seven Years War under Major General Edward Braddock but was not present at the defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela.
Around this time he married the daughter of Mohawk chief. She gave birth to twins and Lee was invited into the tribe. He was named Ounewaterika, meaning "Boiling Water" due to his temper.
Lee purchased a Captain's commission in 1756 and took part in many of the battles on the Canadian theater. He returned to Europe after 1760 and transferred to the Portuguese Army fighting against the Spanish invasion. He returned to England in 1763 and was retired at half pay as a Major. While his commission was inactive he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1756 he served for a time in the Polish army of King Stanislaus II. Unable to obtain a promotion he remained in Poland for some time.
In 1773, Lee, who had Whig views, moved to America and bought an estate in Virginia. When the fighting broke out in the American Revolutionary War in 1775, he volunteered to serve with the rebel forces.
However, his ambitions to become Commander in Chief of the Continental Army were thwarted by the appointment of George Washington. Lee was appointed Major General but held a deep grudge against Washington. He degraded his superior at every chance and waged a secret campaign to convince Congress to strip Washington of his rank and award it to him.
In late 1776, Lee was arrested by British soldiers and held prisoner. Lee was considered a deserter of the British Army because he had not resigned his commission until days after accepting his American commission. At this time, hHe engaged in drafting plans for military operations against the Continental Army while incarcerated. He was released in a prisoner exchange and returned to his post.
Lee found his hope of appointment dashed in 1778 at the Battle of Monmouth when he disobeyed orders to attack and engaged in a quarrel with Washington. He was arrested, court martialed and found guilty of insubordination. He was relieved of command for one year but desperately attempted to get Congress to overturn his verdict. When this failed he openly criticized and insulted Washington. He was finally released from duty in 1780 and retired to Philadelphia where he lived until his death in 1782 at the age of 50.
During the American Revolution, Charles Lee became an associate of the Assassin Connor.
Gallery
-
Charles Lee grabbing a young Connor.
.jpg)
Source
- GameInformer April 2012 issue: Assassin's Creed III