Wish this was in a history book
During the Battle of Monmouth, General Charles Lee ordered his troops to retreat, running directly into Washington's troops. Washington was not happy. Here's an excerpt from Sarah Vowell's book Lafayette in the Somewhat United States:
Washington, fuming, spotted Lee. Uninterested in Lee's excuses for calling off the attack, Washington yelled, "Go to the rear, sir." As Lee rode off, Washington let rip a spew of profanity.
General Charles Scott of Virginia, who had served with both Washington and Lee in the French and Indian War, claimed to hear the whole thing, getting a kick out of His Excellency's meltdown: "Yes, sir, he swore on that day till the leaves shook the trees. Charming! Delightful! Never have I enjoyed such swearing, before or since. Sir, on that memorable day, he swore like an angel from Heaven."
[...]
The scene of Washington cussing out Charles Lee was for some reason not included in the series of bronze illustrations of the Battle of Monmouth on the monument at the county courthouse. Even though it was the most New Jersey-like behavior in the battle, if not the entire war.
Washington, fuming, spotted Lee. Uninterested in Lee's excuses for calling off the attack, Washington yelled, "Go to the rear, sir." As Lee rode off, Washington let rip a spew of profanity.
General Charles Scott of Virginia, who had served with both Washington and Lee in the French and Indian War, claimed to hear the whole thing, getting a kick out of His Excellency's meltdown: "Yes, sir, he swore on that day till the leaves shook the trees. Charming! Delightful! Never have I enjoyed such swearing, before or since. Sir, on that memorable day, he swore like an angel from Heaven."
[...]
The scene of Washington cussing out Charles Lee was for some reason not included in the series of bronze illustrations of the Battle of Monmouth on the monument at the county courthouse. Even though it was the most New Jersey-like behavior in the battle, if not the entire war.