Morgan was dismissed as Director General soon thereafter, in January 1777, due to rancor with Washington over supplies and a rampant smallpox epidemic then raging its way through the army. Morgan's management style rankled the surgeons, including McKnight, as Morgan was wrestling with Shippen, McKnight's mentor, over control of the hospitals in New Jersey.
Morgan was removed from his position as Director General soon after, in January 1777, because of disagreements with Washington regarding supplies and a severe health crisis affecting the army. Morgan's leadership style also created tension among the surgeons, including McKnight, who were struggling to manage hospitals in New Jersey under Shippen's mentorship.