In December 1776, Washington asked Lee to march the troops under his command from their position in northwest New Jersey to the Delaware River. There he would join forces with Washington. Lee slowly moved his men across New Jersey, writing throughout the journey about his poorly clothed men and the perils of maneuvering such unfamiliar territory. On December 12, Lee and his staff spent the night at White’s Tavern near Basking Ridge several miles away from his main camp.
The next morning, a body of British dragoons under the command of William Harcourt cornered Lee and his staff inside the tavern.
This depiction of the capture of Charles Lee was engraved for Barnard’s New Complete and Authentic History of England. Published in London ca. 1781-1783, Lee is shown surrendering his sword to Lt. Col. William Harcourt of the 16th Light Dragoons.
This illustration of Lee’s capture was published in Barlow’s Continuation to Hume’s England. In contrast to the previous image, this illustration shows a disheveled Lee being taken by force as opposed to the more formal surrender above.