No chance to explain

The story, from several sources

This account blends Rothbard’s chapter with the other sources listed below and has not yet been separated into Rothbard’s own account and the fuller story. Read Rothbard’s chapter 42 for his account.

The British had to get out of Philadelphia, and in June 1778 General Clinton marched ten thousand men across New Jersey toward New York, strung out and weighed down with baggage. Washington’s army, swelled to eleven thousand, followed. At a council of war Lee argued that it would be criminal to risk a general fight against Clinton’s trained troops: better to build a bridge of gold and speed him on his way. Washington, backed by Wayne, Lafayette and Hamilton, wanted to attack. Lee refused to lead a small force, then took the front when it grew to five thousand men. On 28 June, near Monmouth Court House, Clinton’s main body stood behind the rearguard. Lafayette pulled back without orders, others followed, and Lee retreated in good order. Washington rode up, gave him no chance to explain, and cursed him in front of the soldiers. Rothbard calls the order to attack Washington’s alone and the retreat required by the circumstances. The battle ended in a draw with about 350 casualties on either side, and Clinton slipped away to Sandy Hook. Lee wrote Washington an angry letter and was court-martialled, found guilty and suspended for a year. When he denounced Congress for approving the verdict, he was discharged. Even Clinton thought the treatment of him grossly unjust.