"I think that's where leadership skills come in.He was below average regardless of bravery that Hamilton showed at his sides when he says "I will stay here with you my dear general and die!Let us all die rather than retreat!"but compelled the army onto full blown retreat instead of charging them .When he was interrogated by Washington about his fears in which Washington says"What is the meaning of this sir? " He asked as he galloped up to Lee in retreat with the forces who replied"The American troops would not stand the British bayonets ".
"And Washington did say what?"
"Have you tried them? Let me quote in strict terms.He says"You damned poltroon you never tried them".He was not used to profanities but for the first time unleashed in desperation to subdue Lee's insubordination and as one eminent general says"till the leaves shook on the trees".
"So it was not a lie when they say American idolatry of Washington was begun at the battle of Monmouth .On the same June 28 1778, the thermometer reached ninety degree a memorable day of stifling heat when some soldiers waist up rode naked .Despite being under Hamilton's scout with emboldened words,the poltroon did not shirk his cover to retreat. Washington rode white charger horse donated by William Livingston Governor of New Jersey in the recrossing honor to Delaware.When it drop dead from the heat like horses and riders that expired from heat fatigue same period he switched to chestnut mare.By sheer force of boldness and will he redirected the retreating forces and says "stand fast my boys and receive your enemy...the southern troops are advancing to support you"he shouted as he ordered Lee to the rear and goaded the soldiers to drive the British from the field .What a remarkable sedative effect that Lafayette was perturbed to comment "Never had I beheld so superb a man".It was complimented by Hamilton when he spoke to Elias Boudinot"I never saw the general to so much advantage".That "his" own"coolness and firmness were admirable.He instantly took maneuvers for checking the enemy's advance and giving time for the army which was very near to form and a proper disposition.....By his own good sense and fortitude he turned the fate of the day....He directed the whole with the skill of a master work man."
"Did you notice more horses were shot down at Monmouth than was expected?"
"You re right.Hamilton's horse was shot down and the same with Aaron Burr's horse too short down from under him.The latter was bugged down by nausea and probably by exhaustion took a temporary leave of absence by October.It was also worsened by his lack of promotion under Washington.Like Washington Hamilton was bestowed with laurels for the Singular proofs of bravery and courted death under fragile circumstances and survived it.Althought it was not an outright victory for the patriots where the British escaped unhurt for the next day.Observers rated the battle a draw still the continentals murdered or injured more than a thousand troops four times the American casualties.The troops having escaped the earlier dread of shameful retreat ,performed beyond the average.
When he arrested Lee for disobeying orders and messed up a beautiful showcase of the American strength in a court martial Hamilton was a witness against Lee that took place in July in New Brunswick under supervision of Lord Stirling.His conduct was "unpardonable and monstrous" as Hamilton spoke to Boudinot they would stand by the court martial verdict .He had some sympathizers like Arron burr who still subscribed to the opinion that berrated Washington's military talent.
Then Hamilton on July 4 and 13 gave damaging report on Lee's questionable character and his lethargy at making a critical attempt to stop enemy's advance despite being told by Washington.He was given suspension of one year from the army because he was found guilty on all counts.He told Burr he planned to resign the commission in October to Virginia and learn to hoe tobacco.But like Conway cabal he and his minions continued to villify Washington and Hamilton especially his testimony at the court martial.In December,Lee in print under pseudonym heaped monumental abuse on Washington and when John Laurens, compelled Hamilton to write a rebuttal,he rebuked ."
"How did the rivalry end?"
"My brother it ends with dueling .When Hamilton fails to rebut the pen of Junius then Laurens instead challenged charless Lee to a duel and he was almost killed where he accepted the superiority of Washington and stop vilifying crusades .You know dueling in those days was a means of restoring dignity and protecting honor by men who felt abused.Dueling was prevalent in the continental army in those days.
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