George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-21-02-0339

From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 July 1779

To Major General Horatio Gates

Head Quarters New Windsor 10th Ju[ly]1 1779.

Sir.

Three hours ago I received your favour of the 7th—I cannot conceive how my letter of the 27th was so long detained—immediately on closing it, it was sent to Colo. Hay to forward it.2

Your information respecting the movements in this quarter was erronious—Previous to my last3 the enemy after strongly fortifying the two posts of Stoney Point and Verplank’s, and leaving sufficient garrisons for their defence, had fallen down the River to Phillips’s.4 where and in the vicinity their principal force still lies—Our Army preserves nearly its former position—On hearing that the enemy had made a detachment up the sound probably with a design to make incursions into Connecticut—I wrote to the Governor informing him of the directions given for the march of Glovers Brigade that he might call for its assistance if necessary.5 I have since directed the Brigade to halt a while in that State, to give some cover to the coast, and prevent, as much as possible, the interruption of the inhabitants at the present interesting season.6 I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, NHi: Gates Papers; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 154; copy, DNA:PCC, item 171; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1Gibbs inadvertently wrote “June” on the manuscript, prompting a notation under the dateline that reads “Supposed July.” The draft manuscript, in the writing of GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton, reads “July.”

2A letter from Col. Udny Hay to Gates, written at Fishkill, N.Y., on 29 June, begins: “I take the opportunity of forwarding by the same express who will deliver you a Letter from the General the intelligence of the Enemy having embarked the greatest part of their Troops and sent them to N: York, not more than a thousand men it is imagined is left on both sides the river, these surely will not gett leave to remain long” (Gregory and Dunnings, “Gates Papers” description begins James Gregory and Thomas Dunnings, eds. “Horatio Gates Papers, 1726–1828.” Sanford, N.C., 1979. Microfilm. description ends ).

4For this intelligence, see GW to John Jay, 1 July, and n.3 to that document.

5See GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July, and the source note to that document.

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