[bvw]

Always, always consider the examples set by George Washington. As Commanding General Washington once gave a direct order to General Lee to attack, instead Lee ordered his men to retreat. This was at the Battle of Monmouth in central Jersey, in the heat of the summer.

The Wikipedia entry for General Lee continues:

He retreated directly into Washington and his troops, who were advancing, and Washington dressed him down publicly. Lee responded with "inappropriate language" (insubordination), was arrested, and shortly thereafter court-martialed. Lee was found guilty, and he was relieved of command for a period of one year.

It is not clear that Lee had made a bad strategic decision: he believed himself outnumbered (which he in fact was: British commander Sir Henry Clinton had 10,000 troops to Lee's 5,440), and that a retreat was reasonable. However, he disobeyed his orders, and he publicly expressed disrespect to his Commander-in-Chief. Furthermore, Washington had wanted to test the abilities of Lee's troops, since they were among the first to be trained in European tactics by Baron von Steuben.

Lee tried to get Congress to overturn the court-martial's verdict [but that effort failed]

General Lee's acts FAR worse than Colonel Lakin's could ever be construed to have been, yet General Lee got off light in comparison to Colonel Lakin.

General Lee was relieved of command for a year but continued to serve.

[BuckeyeTexan]

In General Washington’s time, the military needed every available warm body.

[El Sordo]

I always loved what one officer said about Washington's swearing.

Brigadier General Charles Scott, years later, was asked if he had ever heard Washington swear.

His alleged response:

“Yes sir, he did once,” Scott replied. “It was at Monmouth and on a day that would have made any man swear. Charming! Delightful! Never have I enjoyed such swearing before or since.”

I understand there is some disagreement as to whether or not Scott was present at that moment. But it's still funny.