During the American Revolution, many generals fought under George Washington's command. Many of these generals would go on to play important parts in the new government of the United States. However, one general left public service before the revolution ended.
This general, Major General Charles Lee, was the man whose ego and character created dissent and mistrust on the general staff. In the end, Lee was relieved of his command in 1778 after a court-martial.
Lee was born in Cheshire, England. He became a British army officer and participated in the French and Indian War. He served under Braddock in his disastrous campaign in 1755, the unsuccessful campaign against Ticonderoga, and the capture of Montreal. He would also serve with Burgoyne in Portugal and Poland.
Later on, he would move to Virginia and become a supporter of colonial independence. In 1776, the Continental Congress commissioned Lee as a major general in the Continental Army because of his prior military experience. He would serve with some distinction early on in the war, even though he felt he was a better commander than Washington was. This, combined with his ego, would in the end result in a court-martial after the battle of Monmouth and an eventual cashiering from the army in 1780.