Battle of Monmouth, 1778.
What if Washington takes Arnold out to campaign with the army as his senior commander in the field and leaves Charles Lee behind in Philadelphia. OTL, it was the reverse and it had disastrous consequences in both cases.
Suppose, however, Washington takes a general who not only will mount the attack, and with great vigor and competency to boot, into Clinton's rear at Monmouth.
What happens if Arnold launches a cunningly well planned attack at Monmouth, providing Washington with the desired effects for their battle plan? (I say their plan because, if Washington was taking Arnold into the field with him, I think he'd consult very closely with him on the planning of the battle.)
Without Lee damn near leading the CA's lead attacking elements into a catastrophe (which was probably his intent, from what we know now) and giving away the element of surprise, what's the best that Washington and his 11,000 man force of battle and ordeal hardened (and now well trained and better disciplined) outcome they could be capable of?
Could an actual decisive victory against the main British Army on the continent actually be accomplished?
Thoughts?