General Robert E. Lee, (Civil War) occupied a spot of honor in my household. He ranked below Jesus Christ but above the current President of the United States. (I don't remember which President, but honestly it was true of all of them . . . at least in my childhood mind.) However, General Charles Lee (Revolutionary War) was a different story. If you are wondering why I was so passionate in my choice, let me illuminate you about the Battle of Monmouth.
General Lee was one of General Washington's military subordinates in the Revolutionary War. (There is a substantial evidence that General Lee was secretly a Tory but that is a story for another time.) Lee was ordered by Washington to engage the British forces as they were moving into New Jersey. The troops that Lee was leading had emerged from Valley Forge confident of their fighting abilities thanks to the training program of Baron von Steuben and were eager for a fight.
As the two armies converged near Monmouth Courthouse General Lee, who was with the advance corps, faced heavy fire from the British rearguard. His lines started to break and General Lee ordered a retreat. The army in confusion fell back at different levels of intensity and this was the scene General Washington observed when he arrived at the battlefield around noon. After asking the retreating troops if they would follow him into battle, (to which they enthusiastically responded to his request and promptly fell in line) General Washington sought out Lee to discover the reason for the retreat. General Lee was of the opinion that the Americans couldn't stand up to the British regulars in a head-on fight and answered Washington's inquiry with, "But there's so many of them!" General Washington bellowed, "General Lee to the rear!" and led the charge himself. Men who minutes before were dispirited, discouraged and beaten were transformed by General Washington's challenge and fought with a ferocity the British had never experienced. The British General Clinton quickly ordered a retreat of his forces.
One man changed the tide of an entire battle. History is full of such occurrences, (including General Benedict Arnold at Saratoga, Davout against the Prussians at Auerstadt, Joan of Arc, Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah campaign, just to name a few) where the bravery of one man (or woman) changed the course of history. But the ultimate story in history of one person changing the world is the story of Jesus Christ. Jesus, born over two thousand years ago, who fulfilled His calling despite overwhelming odds, and made a way for all that desired to follow Him to be saved. He not only changed history in His time but for all of eternity. And because of His bravery and sacrifice we can know eternal peace with God. That is truly the power of One.
