Why Did General Lee Have Direct Orders

Armed with intelligence reports from the New Jersey Militia, Washington dispatched Major General Lee to attack the British flank as they move out from the Monmouth Court House. Despite having direct orders, Lee delayed to mobilize his force and failed to gain momentum and take the offensive. The Continental Army would have decimated the slow moving British column if they would have launched the planned and properly coordinated attack (Frey, 1981). Two times General Lee delayed his march against the beleaguered British forces, in order to reconnoiter, not only enemy, but also his own position. He lacked familiarization with the terrain, while his subordinate commanders lacked a full understanding of their mission (Morrissey, 2004). By delaying,