1To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772. On 3 July GW wrote Gates : “Your favour of the 10th of May came to my hand.”
2To George Washington from Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was Honourd by the receipt of your Obliging Letter of 17th Instant, I shall Obey your Commands with all possible Expedition, & hope to be in philadelphia Thursday next, & wish earnestly to find you there. I must take the Liberty to entreat it of you, not to leave the Congress, until you are provided not only with all the Powers, but all the Means, their Power can bestow, if it is...
3Instructions to Reuben Colburn, 3 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
You are to go with all Expedition to Gardnerstone upon the River Kenebeck, and without Delay proceed to The Constructing of Two Hundred Batteaus, to row with Four Oars each; Two Paddles and Two setting Poles to be also provided for each Batteau. You are to Engage a Company of Twenty Men consisting of Artificers, Carpenters, and Guides to go under your Command to Assist in such Services as you,...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7[–8] November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thursday last I had the pleasure to send a Copy of General Lee’s Letter to Lord Thanet, and on Monday [another of?] one to General Howe, both these I suppose you received [ torn .] I made strickt inquiry as you directed me after [ torn ], and find he died, and was buried about a Week before [ torn Cam?]bridge, the Ten Dollars you paid into my Hands [ torn...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 5 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For this Week past Fortune has Smiled upon Us from All Quarters, and last Night, word was brought out of Boston by some Inhabitants who left it Yesterday, that a Vessel was Just arrived there from Quebeck. The Master of which Declared that Our Troops, Assisted by near 6000 Canadians, took Possession of that Capital a day or Two After the Middle of November;...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure to write you upon Monday by Express. I now inclose to you, a Copy of General Lees Letter lately sent to General Burgoyne which if you approve of it may be publish’d in the News paper. I long to send you Lees and my Opinions of the measures to be pursued in Consequence of the Conquest of Canada, that is the Military Measures, somany...
7Plan for Attacking Boston, 18–25 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Orders, we have considered the Matters referred to Us, & beg leave to recommend the following Signals to be given from Roxbury, in Case of any Movement of The Enemy to Distress our People at Dorchester Hill: Signal in Case the Enemy begin to Embarque, a Flagg on Roxbury meeting House; If they Actually Land at Dorchester Two Flaggs, One, over the Other; In case...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee, who appears to be a Gentleman, and a Veteran Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintance; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical...
9To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Monday Night Two Thousand men under the Command of Brigadier General Thomas took possession of Dorchester Heights; a vast Quantity of Materials being previously Collected, especially Chandiliers, and Fascines, our Troops were soon covered, and long before day, began to Break Ground to thicken their defences against The Enemys Cannon. To Conceal our design, and divert the Enemys Attention, a...
10To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 23 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellent Letter of the 23d: of March, and one by Mr. Dana, are now before me. How any Mortal can entertain an Idea that Liberty, and Safety, can be secured without Independency, I have no Conception; this half Faced policy, may amuse Timid Statesmen, Treacherous Whiggs, and the Tools of Designing Scotchmen; but not one Honest, Sensible, determin’d American can be deceived by it; go on to...
11To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 4 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 27th: of April was put into my hands by Colonel Clinton, we had much conversation together upon the Critical and political State of this Country; He thinks with You, and I; and has besides a very Uncommon share of Knowledge, and penetration; I shall endeavour to Cultivate his Friendship, and Acquaintance. The Six Regiments under General Sullivan, are Saild for Albany, with a...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will be presented you by The Chevallier de Kermovant, who left Old France the Sixth of April, and arrived about Fourteen days ago at Stonington by the Way of Cape François; he desires me acquaint you that his Views are truly patriotic, and that he neither Seeks reward, or Honour, but as he shall Merit; he has Letters for you, and Doctor Rush, they probably will...
13To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
By the Letters you will by this Post receive in Congress from the Brigadiers Sullivan, and Arnold, it appears to me, that Our Army in Canada are in the Utmost Peril of being lost. An unadvised Step taken in the Sending Genl. Thompson with a Large Detachment to Attack the Enemys post at the Three Rivers, has ended in Defeat, and Disgrace, with The Loss of Thompson, Col. Irwine, and 3 Principal...
14To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of the Letter with which I have charged Mr Lewis to the president of The Honourable The Continental Congress; it is too disagreeable a Tale to dwell on, I shall not therefore enlarge upon it; I beg the Favour Mr Lewis may have your Orders not to Delay in New York, but proceed immediately to Philadelphia. General Sullivan has probably by this Time seen your Excellency, he...
15To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer, and my Letter to Mr. Hancock will acquaint you that I am no Dictator here, and consequently have it not in my power to serve Mr. Rice. I desire if Chase is return’d to Congress, he may know, how much I have been Deceived, and Disappointed in being removed from a place where I might have done the Publick Service, and Fix’d in a Scituation where it is exceeding Doubtfull, if it will...
16To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler, who left us the 10th Instant, promised me to give Your Excellency a very particular Account of the State of the Northern Army; I conclude he has done it, but it might not have reach’d your Hands when the post left New York the 19th Instant; Your Excellency’s Letter of That date, is now before me. The Board of General Officers mentioned by your Excellency, were Assembled by...
17To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour to Transmit to Your Excellency, a General Return of the Troops immediately under my Command. it is as perfect as the Circumstances will Admit, but the Numbers at the General Hospital at Lake George, & upon both Communications, where Correctness is not attended to, with that Diligence required by good Discipline, obliges me to send it somewhat imperfect to Your...
18To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 23 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the Satisfaction to acquaint You that immediately after my Arrival here I appointed Mr. Rice a Major of Brigade. He is a most deserving young Man and will do Honour to the profession. The Inclosed from Lieutt. Col. Baldwin I have the pleasure to send You, and entreat you will endeavour to procure him the Rank he Requests. I can assure You Sir he is a most Excellent Officer, and the Only...
19To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive your Excellencies Letter of the 14 Instant which is all I have been favoured with since that of the 19th of July. I have at length the Satisfaction to send a pretty correct General Return of the Army in this Part of the Northern District of America; a Copy of my last Letter to General Schuyler, which is in the Packet, will explain the Return to your...
20To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented your Excellency by Major Hubley, who acted as Brigade Major to the Baron De Wedtke, being desirous to go to Philadelphia upon his Private Affairs, I have granted him permission, He is a Young Gentleman of Character in his Profession, and as such I introduce him to your Excellency. Brigade Major Scull accompanies Major Hubley, he goes to New York at the request of...
21To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have The Honour to send your Excellency a Copy of my Letter by the Bearer Major Stuart to the president of The Congress. General Schuyler has this morning inform’d me of the Rumour of an Action near the White plains, I hope soon to Felicitate Your Excellency upon Having conducted Your Campaign in the most Brilliant and Triumphant manner. I am Sir Your Excellencys most Obliged & most Obedient...
22To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to General Schuylers Commands, I left Albany the Instant with Starks[,] Poor’s, Read’s, & Paterson’s Regiments; Greaton’s, Bond’s, & Porter’s, having Sailed from thence the day before, Bedel’s remaining to Embark the next day, as Sloops were not then ready to receive them. Upon my Arrival at Esopus I sent Brigade Major Stoddard to New Windsor to Order Greaton’s, Bond’s, & Porters...
23To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold this moment received from me Your Excellencys Letter to Him of the 14th Instant—From Intelligence, which he thinks authentic, Rhode Island has been some time in possession of the Enemy, and so considerable a Force from Connecticut had Assembled Opposite to Bristol Ferry, as to render any Further attempt of the British Forces impracticable in that Quarter. upon mature...
24To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning prepared to Set Out to wait upon Your Excellency; but Mr Morris, Lord Stirling, & General Mifflin, have desired I would remain here to Expedite the March of the Militia daily arriving in this City. As These Gentlemen think I can render the best Service in doing this Duty, I shall continue to execute it until I receive Your Excellencys further Commands. Inclosed is a Letter...
25To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 Jan. 1777. The dealer’s catalog includes the following excerpt from this autograph letter signed, apparently written at Philadelphia: “... I immediately consulted with Doctor Shippen & Mr. Morris, upon the best method of preventing the spreading of the infection of the small-pox & have issued orders to oblige all the troops & recruits ... to...
26To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This is Just to acquaint your Excellency that I am endeavouring all in power to Execute your Commands received by Colonel Fitzgerald, as well as those lately sent through him by Your Excellency: The confusion created by the Militia is past all Description, but patience and perseverance will I hope bring things to Order. a few days ago a General C. Martial Condemn’d a Deserter who has inlisted...
27To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your Letters of the 19th & 20th on Fryday Night, The principal parts thereof have been fully answer’d by the Honble The Committee of Congss, their Letter will also be deliverd to Your Excellency by Colonel Fitzgerald; Colonel De Haas left this City the day after I sett out for Morris Town, & is not yet returnd, I understand his Son was extreamly Ill, which...
28To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Cadwallader having Absolutely declined accepting his Commission as Continental Brigadier, I laid your Excellencys Letter respecting the Militia of this City, before Messieurs Morris, & Clymer, two of the Committee of Congress —It is more than Ten days ago since I wrote to General De Haas desiring His attendance in this City. Your Excellencys last Letter to him went Yesterday, If he is...
29To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant from Morris Town; and wish I could say, any of The Troops expected to Arrive at Kenderhook, Claverack, or Red Hook, had reached either of those places; when I am acquainted therewith, Your Excellency may be Assured of my strictly fulfilling your Commands. I have directed the Commissary to purchase, and send in the Vessels...
30To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Inst: from Morris Town; Upon my Arrival here, I dispatched without any delay, Your Excellency’s first Letter to General Wayne; he immediately repaired to Albany, and is gone from hence, whether to Morris Town, or Philadelphia, I cannot say, as he did not seem determined. Major Troup, upon being disappointed in procuring...
31To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th Inst. from Morris Town is now before me. The Barracks at Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence, will not Contain more than One Thousand Officers and Men; the Hutts that were built last Campaign, might for ought I know, contain One Thousand more; but these being made of Earth, and flimsily put together, are mostly in Ruins. But Neither the Huts, or Barracks,...
32To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Late last night the Inclosed from General poor, was brought me Express from Ticonderoga. I also inclose Your Excellency a General Return of the Garrison at that post dated the 24th Instant, by which You will perceive the shameful deficiency in the Numbers proper for it’s defence. Artillerists are likewise much Wanted; I always expected Six Companies: Two, is as many as can be said to be there....
33To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed from Brigadier General poor, is this moment come to Hand by Express. I never thought it was possible, for the Main Force of the Enemy to come so early up The Lake; unless Tory intelligence had induced them, when the Garrison of Ticonderoga was very weak, to have made an extraordinary effort to reduce that post. Inclosed is the Commissary’s Return of provissions now at Ticonderoga....
34To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by The Honorable The Board of War to acquaint Your Excellency, that they have Order’d the Hessian paymaster, who had your pass in May last to go to Lancaster, & to return from thence to N. York, to be detain’d at His Quarters in this City, until Your Excellencys further Directions concerning him can be known; It is with Reason Suspected that Certain Tories, & Enemies of the United...
35To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
persuaded by my Own Opinion, & confirm’d by the Opinion of Congress, I believed Sr William Howe was determined to Force the pass of the Highlands; by the Direction of The Congress, I set out from philadelphia Fryday Evening to Join you at pompton, or peekskiln, as Circumstances might answer; This moment; an Express is Arrived from philadelphia; with Certain Information; that the Enemys Fleet...
36To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 July 1777. GW’s letter to Gates of 31 July says: “Your letter of this morning is just come to hand.”
37To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon my Arrival in this Department; I found the main Body of the Army encamped at Van Schaack’s Islands, which are made by the Sprouts of the Mohock River, joining with Hudson’s River; nine Miles North of Albany —A Brigade under General Poor encamp’d at Loudon’s Ferry, on the South Bank of the Mohock River, five Miles from hence—A Brigade under Genl Lincoln, had Join’d Genl Stark at Benington;...
38To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Glover desires me to acquaint you, that he has never received his Commission as Brigdr General—General Poor and Genl Patterson lost their Commissions with their Baggage upon their Retreat from Mount Independance—Those Gentleman desire the Favour of Your Excellency to send each of them a Commission, as soon as they can be procured from the President of Congress. I am just now inform’d...
39To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Col. Willet arrived here with the Inclosed Papers from Major General Arnold; Governor Clinton being then at Head Quarters, I consulted with him upon the best Method of immediately reinforcing the General—We agreed, that Cortlands and Livingstons Regiment, then encamped with General Poor’s Brigade at Loudons Ferry, upon the Mohock River, were the readiest Corps to be sent to reinforce...
40To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon being informed by Mr Cuyler, Commissary General in this Department, that he had no Salt Meat in Store, the whole that was provided for this Army being lost at Ticonderoga, I directed him to apply to the D.Q.M. General at Peeks Kill, to order a Supply from thence to Albany—he has acquainted me Yesterday by Letter, that there is a Quantity of Salt Provisions at a Magazine in Ulster County,...
41To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Instant I had the Honour to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th of this Month, the First that has come to my Hands—Inclosed I have the Pleasure to send you a Copy of a Letter, I received last Night from General Arnold, which I am confident will afford infinite Satisfaction to Your Excellency, as the Disgraceful Retreat of the Enemy from Fort Stanwix, must entirely destroy their...
42To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the Action of the 19th Instant, the Enemy have kept the Ground they Occupied the Morning of that Day; And fortified their Camp. The Advanced Centrys of my piquets, are posted within Shot, And Opposite the Enemy’s; neither side have given Ground an Inch. In this Situation, Your Excellency would not wish me to part with the Corps the Army of General Burgoyne are most Afraid of. From the...
43To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to send Your Excellency a Letter I received last Night from General George Clinton, with my Answer thereto; The Regiment of Rifle Men, under Colonel Morgan, Marched from Saratoga the day After the Convention was signed; they will very soon be in the Neighbourhood of Your Excellency’s Camp. Congress having been requested, immediately to transmit Copies of all my...
44To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After sending upwards of Five Thousand Men to the Succour of the Southern Army, I hoped a further Draught from this Department would have been unnecessary; but Colonel Hamilton acquaints me, it was the Unanimous Opinion of a Council of War, that the whole of the Eastern Regiments should March from hence, & that Troops were only to be stationed at peeks Kill, And in the Highlands, for the...
45To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just now honour’d with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant, from White Marsh. I have never entertained the smallest Idea, that General Burgoyne should be permitted to Change the port of Embarkation, or that the least variation of the Spirit, and Letter of the Convention, would be indulged to the Troops under his Command. There is no doubt, but the British Regiments...
46To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall not attempt to describe what, as a private Gentleman, I cannot help feeling, on representing to my Mind, the disagreeable Situation, which confidential Letters, when exposed to public Inspection, may place an unsuspecting Correspondent to; but, as a public Officer, I conjure your Excellency, to give me all the Assistance you can, in tracing out the Author of the Infedelity, which put...
47To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter of 4th Instant, which I had the Honour to receive from Your Excellency, has relieved me from unspeakable Uneasiness. I now Anticipate the Pleasure it will give you, when you discover that what has been conveyed to you for an Extract of General Conway’s Letter to me, was not an Information, which friendly Motives induced a Man of Honour to give, that injured Virtue might be...
48To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 23 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 23 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb., GW wrote Gates : “I received a letter from you of the 23d January on the subject of Cloathing said to be collected in this State for the use of the Pennsylva Troops, and delivered out to the Army in general .” The only extant letter from Gates to GW of this date concerns Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, not clothing.
49To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 24 Jan. 1778. On 27 Jan., GW wrote Gates : “Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand.” GW indicated that the first of Gates’s letters of that date referred to the detention of British officers carrying clothing to their prisoners in American hands.
50To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Papers your Excellency will see the Designs of Congress in forming the Plan of an Irruption into Canada. Their political Motives for appointing the Officers to conduct the Expedition need not be mentioned, as your Excellency must be struck with the Propriety of the Measure. The Board have carefully avoided weakning the Army under your immediate Command, as they well know the...