It was after Lee abandoned Monmouth CH (Freehold) and had ordered a retreat haphazardly. Troops were running amok by the time Washington came up from Englishtown.
He was angry at (traitor) General Lee and at worst said “damn you” OR “a damned poltroon” TO Lee.
This was heard by some of the aides/officers, not everyone. Who could in the middle of flying retreat?
One officer, who liked cussing, fancied it made the “leaves shake on the trees”. But that was only one man.
In any case, this was not after, but in the middle. Washington took over and that’s when they really faced down the Brits in a major way on the field. A real “draw” or possibly a victory.
This is interesting and certainly different from my impressions of things that I have read over several years.
You are probably more of a student of these details than I myself am, but I have long had a completely different sense of those events.
I will read more. Thanks.