When General Lee learned that Lafayette would command the advance force, he implored Washington to give him that assignment because he was more seasoned in war than the young Frenchman. Washington honored the request from his second-in-command, knowing that Lafayette would have more chances in the future to prove his mettle. Lee immediately departed with the advance column. Two days later on the morning of 27 June 1778, the main body of Washington’s army set out in pursuit of Clinton’s force, then nearing the town of Monmouth, New Jersey.
"When I first assented to the Marquis of Fayette’s taking the command of the present detachment, I confess I viewd it in a very different light than I do at present I considerd it as a more proper busyness of a Young Volunteering General than of the Second in command in the Army—but I find that it is considerd in a different manner; They say that a Corps consisting of six thoushand Men, the greater part chosen, is undoubtedly the most honourable command next to the Commander in Chief, that my ceding it woud of course have an odd appearance I must intreat therefore, (after making a thoushand apologies for the trouble my rash assent has occasion’d to you) that if this detachment does march that I may have the command of it—so far personally, but to speak as an Officer—I do not think that this detachment ought to march at all."
Maj. Gen. Charles Lee to Gen. George Washington, 25 June 1778www.founders.archives.gov