Later Life
Lee tried to get Congress to overturn the court-martial's verdict, and when this failed, he resorted to open attacks on Washington's character. Lee's popularity then plummeted. Colonel John Laurens, an aide to Washington, challenged him to a duel, one in which Lee was wounded in his side. He was challenged to many more duels. He was released from his duty on January 10, 1780. He retired to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was stricken with fever and died.
Lee was very fond of dogs, and was seldom seen without half a dozen at his heels.
Fort Lee, New Jersey, on the New Jersey side of the Hudson river, across the river from Fort Washington, was named for him, as were Lee, Massachusetts, Lee, New Hampshire and Leetown, West Virginia.
Read more about this topic: Charles Lee (general)
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“This life we live is a strange dream, and I don’t believe at all any account men give of it.”
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