The fierce question was repeated.

Lee gathered himself and tried to excuse and palliate what had happened, but although the brief words that followed are variously reported to us across the century, we know that Washington rebuked him in such a way, and with such passion, that all was over between them.

Lee had committed the one unpardonable sin in the eyes of his commander.

He had failed to fight when the enemy was upon him.

He had disobeyed orders and retreated.